A Sulfur-Based Survival Strategy for Putative Phototrophic Life in the Venusian Atmosphere
Abstract
Several observations indicate that the cloud deck of the venusian atmosphere may provide a plausible refuge for microbial life. Having originated in a hot proto-ocean or been brought in by meteorites from Earth (or Mars), early life on Venus could have adapted to a dry, acidic atmospheric niche as the warming planet lost its oceans. The greatest obstacle for the survival of any organism in this niche may be high doses of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Here we make the argument that such an organism may utilize sulfur allotropes present in the venusian atmosphere, particularly S(8), as a UV sunscreen, as an energy-converting pigment, or as a means for converting UV light to lower frequencies that can be used for photosynthesis. Thus, life could exist today in the clouds of Venus.
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Concentrated sulfuric acid has been considered a solvent that might support life at extremely high temperatures.
“On the other temperature extreme, concentrated sulfuric acid has been considered a solvent that might support life at extremely high temperatures (Schulze-Makuch et al., 2004).”
From The Astrobiology Primer v2.0 (2016) · cites this paper as Schulze-Makuch et al., 2004
Cites
Is there a common chemical model for life in the universe?
Benner, S. A., Ricardo, A., & Carrigan, M. A. (2004) · Current Opinion in Chemical Biology · doi:10.1016/j.cbpa.2004.10.003 · Cited by 363 · see citing works
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Is there a common chemical model for life in the universe?
Benner, S. A., Ricardo, A., & Carrigan, M. A. (2004) · Current Opinion in Chemical Biology · doi:10.1016/j.cbpa.2004.10.003 · Cited by 363 · see citing works
Domagal-Goldman, S. D., Wright, K. E., Domagal-Goldman, S. D., Wright, K. E., Adamala, K., Arina de la Rubia, L., Bond, J., Dartnell, L. R., Goldman, A. D., Lynch, K., et al. (2016) · Astrobiology · doi:10.1089/ast.2015.1460 · Cited by 136 · see citing works
“The original suggestions were presented in the context of the misconception that Venus’ clouds were primarily made of water; without this, the challenges are greater, but speculation remains (Schulze-Makuch et al., 2004).”
- Authors
- Schulze-Makuch, D., Grinspoon, D. H., Abbas, O., Irwin, L. N., & Bullock, M. A.
- Affiliations
- Department of Geological Sciences; Program of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas
- Southwest Research Institute (US)
- Program of Environmental Science and Engineering
- The University of Texas at El Paso (US)
- Venue
- Astrobiology
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2004-03
- Volume
- 4
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 11-18
- ISSN
- 1531-1074 (ISSN-L)
- 1557-8070
- OpenAlex
- W1985491192
- Cited by
- 166
- References
- 1
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 11 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 19 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 14 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 11 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 3.53
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Astrobiology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Space Science and Extraterrestrial Life
- Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Planetary Science and Exploration
- Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Origins and Evolution of Life
- Keywords
- Venus atmosphere, sulfur allotropes, S8, ultraviolet radiation, UV-absorbing pigments, photosynthesis, early Venus, microbial survival
- MeSH terms
- Atmosphere, Sulfur, Ultraviolet Rays, Venus
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