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Exposure of Basaltic Materials to Venus Surface Conditions using the Glenn Extreme Environment Rig (GEER)

Radoman-Shaw, Brandon G

Abstract Details

2019, Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, Geological Sciences.
Surface-atmosphere interactions on the surface of Venus have long been suggested to play an important role that planet's climate evolution. Due to the limited in situ data available from Venus exploration, understanding the surface geology and climate history of the planet relies heavily on theoretical modeling and laboratory experimentation. We conducted two experiments where a broad range of minerals, rocks, and glasses either mentioned in the literature or included in previous experiments were exposed to a high-fidelity Venus surface simulation using the Glenn Extreme Environment Rig (GEER). The GEER chamber successfully maintained Venus surface conditions for 42 and 80 days. Post exposure analysis included several microanalysis techniques as well as thermodynamic modeling to allow a comparison of observed to predicted results for Venus surface reactions. Most of the basaltic materials showed reaction with sulfur-bearing gases in the simulated Venus atmosphere to form anhydrite, with olivine and labradorite being the least reactive. Volcanic glasses included in our study showed formation of both anhydrite and thenardite, with some of the natural glasses forming copper sulfate. None of the minerals included in the Urey Equilibrium (calcite and wollastonite) appear to be inherently stable, and there does not appear to be formation of any carbonates. Iron sulfides are very unstable, forming distinct oxide compounds with no formation of sulfates or carbonates. Iron carbonate (siderite) formed iron/magnesium sulfates as well as iron oxide. Magnetite (iron oxide) was very stable, and was a reaction product of iron sulfides and siderite. Sulfur-bearing compounds as the most ubiquitous reaction has major implications for sediment production and future exploration of the planet as well as offering a sulfur sink that influences the composition of both the atmosphere and crust of Venus. These results also offer insight to general terrestrial planetary sediment evolution with parallels to Mars.
Ralph Harvey, PhD (Advisor)
170 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Radoman-Shaw, B. G. (2019). Exposure of Basaltic Materials to Venus Surface Conditions using the Glenn Extreme Environment Rig (GEER) [Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1557312457308105

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Radoman-Shaw, Brandon. Exposure of Basaltic Materials to Venus Surface Conditions using the Glenn Extreme Environment Rig (GEER). 2019. Case Western Reserve University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1557312457308105.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Radoman-Shaw, Brandon. "Exposure of Basaltic Materials to Venus Surface Conditions using the Glenn Extreme Environment Rig (GEER)." Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1557312457308105

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)