 |
| Titel |
So2 vertical profile on Venus |
| VerfasserIn |
Alen Duricic, Johannes Leitner, Maria G. Firneis |
| Konferenz |
EGU General Assembly 2010
|
| Medientyp |
Artikel
|
| Sprache |
Englisch
|
| Digitales Dokument |
PDF |
| Erschienen |
In: GRA - Volume 12 (2010) |
| Datensatznummer |
250037685
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Zusammenfassung |
| Introduction
The distribution of SO2 below the clouds of Venus is an unsettled matter because various
entry probes and earth observed values show big differences for the same altitude
levels.
A new analysis of the SO2 vertical profile with a “best of” data set [1] is compared to the
Vega 1 and Vega 2 results.
For the analysis of the SO2 vertical profile two models have been formulated. While one
model considers the fast decrease of SO2 with descending altitude and starts with 0
ppmV at the surface, the other model starts with 25 ppmV, as indicated by Vega
1.
Although there is a lack of information on the lowest 10 kms of the atmosphere, an
analysis should be done to understand the geological evolution and a possible activity on
Venus.
Vertical Profiles
The two models produce two different vertical profiles and with those it was possible to
calculate the mass of SO2 in the whole lower atmosphere.
It is important to note that SO2 nearly disappears at 69 km height [1,3] while 99,6% of
the whole mass is still contained in the lower atmosphere.
The difference in the results is based on the different surface values, which have been
used.
The first model stands in good agreement with the Vega mission data and the second
model can be used as an upper limit of SO2 in the atmosphere.
The results yield a good estimation of how much SO2 is existent and give new discussion
points about volcanic activity on Venus and a possible still unknown SO2 destroying
mechanism.
References
[1]Â Bertaux, J. et al. (1996) JGR, 101, 12709–12745.
[2]Â de Bergh, C. et al. (2006) Planetary and Space Sci., 54, 1389-1397.
[3] Esposito L.W. et al., (1997) Venus II : Geology, Geophysics, Atmosphere, and Solar
Wind Environment. Edited by Stephen W. Bougher, D.M. Hunten, and R.J. Philips. Tucson,
AZ : University of Arizona Press, 415-458 |
|
|
|
|
|
|