Basalt Alteration in a CO2–SO2 Atmosphere: Implications for Surface Processes on Venus

Venus' surface and interior dynamics remain largely unconstrained, due in great part to the major obstacles to exploration imposed by its 470°C, 90 bar surface conditions and its thick, opaque atmosphere. Flyby and orbiter-based thermal emission data provide opportunities to characterize the surface composition of Venus. However, robust interpretations of such data depend on understanding interactions between the planet's surface basaltic rocks and its caustic carbon dioxide (CO₂)-dominant atmosphere, containing trace amounts of sulfur dioxide (SO₂). Several studies, using remote sensing, thermodynamic modeling, and laboratory experiments, have placed constraints on basaltic alteration mineralogy and rates. However, constraints on the effects of SO₂-bearing reactions on basalts with diverse compositions remain incomplete. Here, we present new data from a series of gas-solid reaction experiments, in which samples of two basalt compositions were reacted in an SO₂-bearing CO₂ atmosphere, at relevant Venus temperatures, pressure, and oxygen fugacity. Reacted specimens were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and scanning transmission electron microscopy using sample cross-sections produced with focused ion beam milling. Surface alteration products were characterized, and their abundances estimated; subsurface cation concentrations were mapped to show the depth of alteration. We demonstrate that the initial development of reaction products progresses rapidly over the course of 30-day runs. Alkaline basalt samples are coated by Na-sulfate (likely thenardite, Na₂SO₄) and amorphous calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) alteration products, and tholeiitic basalt samples are primarily covered by anhydrite (CaSO₄), Fe-oxide (Fe_xO_y: likely magnetite, Fe₃O₄), and other minor phases. These mineralogies differ from previous experiments in CO₂-only atmospheres.