Constraints on the Production of Phosphine by Venusian Volcanoes

The initial reports of the presence phosphine in cloud decks Venus has led to suggestion that volcanism was source phosphine, through volcanic phosphides ejected into clouds. Here we examine idea mantle plume volcanism, bringing material from deep surface, could generate observed amounts interaction explosively erupted phosphide with sulfuric acid Direct eruption is unphysical, but shallower contain traces phosphide, and be surface. Explosive efficiently transported clouds would require ocean:magma interactions or subduction hydrated oceanic crust, neither which occur on modern Venus. transport altitudes coinciding observations consequently very inefficient. Using model proposed by Truong Lunine as a base case, estimate an volume at least 21,600 km3/year required explain 1 ppb This greater than any historical terrestrial rate, have several detectable consequences for remote situ confirm. More realistic lithospheric mineralogy, volcano mechanics atmospheric photochemistry even more volcanism.