We discuss the implications of a heavy ion plasma in the Jovian magnetosphere. The plasma electron density varies on time scales comparable with that of radial diffusion. This plasma can enhance a super-Alfvenic planetary wind by increasing the radial mass flux. A mechanism by which the heavy ion plasma can regenerate itself via self-sputtering from the surface of Io followed by ionization first by solar ultra-violet and later by electron impact is proposed. We suggest that this long term variability can modulate the faster variations of the plasma-magneto-sphere configuration of Jupiter.