Mysterious HCO+ Splitting Robbing Water Of From Venusian Surface-According To A Recent Study
- Ananya Sharma
- May 7, 2024
- 3 min read
Hello, Everyone!
According to a recent study conducted by US scientists leveraging computer simulation techniques, it has been revealed that the HCO+ molecule has been found in the top atmosphere of Venus & it plays a pivotal role in the water scarcity situation prevailing on the Venusian surface.
Regardless of being similar to Earth,the Venus is hot and dry.
Earlier, the scientists believed that the soaring temperature of Venus-about 460 degrees Celcius might have led to the water loss on Venus due to a mechanism in which sunlight led to the splitting of water vapour leading to creation of hydrogen and oxygen,and the hydrogen eloped into the cosmos as it is light and posseses energy.
But this concept cannot be applied to the absolute water loss on Venusian surface. This leaves a bit void in undertsnading how the water totally eloped.
In the year 2016, scientists used computer models to observe the past climate of Venus and these computer models indicated that Venus entails shallow oceans and sustainable temperature. However, the habitable temperatures existed on the Venusian surface until 2 BN years after the origination of our solar system.
However, this recent study regarding the HCO+ molecule hints that the earlier study had only a hypothetical ground and is far from reality.
The recent study proposes a concept applicable to the upper atmosphere of venus,explicitly in the proximity of 150 kms from the Venusian ground surface. The fasinating part is , here the sunlight splits a duo of Water Vapour as well Carbon di Oxide. This splitting creates Hydrogen and Carbon Monooxide. These molecules unite to create an unstable ion HCO+.We can say this phenomenon as HCO+ process and this comprehensively guids us how the water had lost completely on the Venus's surface.
Let us ponder over on the chemical equations to have a deeper insight of how HCO+ dissolution leads to hydrgen realease into the space.
1. Sunlight splits a duo of Water Vapour as well Carbon di Oxide. This splitting creates Hydrogen and Carbon Monooxide. H2O+CO2+Sunlight---------->HCO+ + O
2. Unification Of CO2 and Water Vapour (H2O) in the influence of Sunlight:
An unstable ion called Formyl Cation {HCO+} is formed.
3.Dissolution of HCO+ into Hydrogen & Carbon Monooxide :
HCO+ ion decomposes into Hydrogen & Carbon Monooxide with a realease of energy.
HCO+ --------------> H2+CO
4.Hydrogen Escape Into Cosmos:
Hydrogen owing to lightweight property than CO, acquires considerable amount of enrgy from the decomposition mechanism & escapes from the Venus's atmosphere into the cosmos. H2 realeased into space.
Consequently,we can understand how sunlight leads to splitting of CO2 and H2O and formation of HCO+ ion and therefore further realease of H2 into the cosmos.
One of the key scientists at the University of Colorado -Eryn Cangi, Boulder, and lead associate author of the study -Micheal Chaffin inked in a research journal named NATURE; had stated regarding the indisputability of water for the pursuit of life in a media interview.
According to scientists, HCO+ splitting is the key factor that is robbing Venus of water of about twofolds than the earlier water loss estimate. According to scientists the HCO+ molecule has not been known to be prevailing on Venus's atmosphere irrespective of many space missions.
However; the key scientist -Eryn Cangi along with lead associate author -Micheal Chaffin believed that there had been no clue of the HCO+ molecule by far regardless of multiple Venus missions because of the inadequate types of equipment loaded in the spacecraft to recognize HCO+ molecule.
Conclusively, we can say that this latest study of HCO+ splitting will enable scientists to uncover the mystical environment of Venus and it holds solid ground in proposing the water loss at Venusian surface and consequently,we can understand how sunlight leads to splitting of CO2 and H2O and formation of HCO+ ion and therefore further realease of H2 into the cosmos.
Thank You.
References:
Fascinating insights on Venusian water loss via HCO+ splitting, challenging previous theories. Well-structured with informative chemical equations. Impressive research and analysis presented. Great read!
That's a great insight.😊