Stability of pyrrhotite under experimentally simulated Venus conditions
by Port, S. T.; Chevrier, V. F.
The stability of pyrrhotite (Fe1-xS; Fe7S8) was tested under simulated Venus conditions in two different temperature/pressure regimes and three different gas mixtures. The two regimes correlate to the average conditions in the lowlands (460 degrees C/92 bar) and the conditions found at the top of Maxwell Monies, 11 km above the planetary radius (380 degrees C/42 bar). The three gas mixtures consisted of 99.999% CO2, 100 ppm SO2 in CO2, and 100 ppm of COS in CO2. All experiments lasted between 24 and 96 h. Analysis using X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) revealed that pyrrhotite was stable at all tested temperature/pressures and gases. Our results further expand on our knowledge of the chemical reactions that may take place on Venus and highlights the need for in situ measurements of the near surface geology and atmosphere.
- Journal
- Planetary and Space Science
- Volume
- 193
- Year
- 2020
- URL
- https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pss.2020.105022
- ISBN/ISSN
- 1873-5088; 0032-0633
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.pss.2020.105022