Strong water isotopic anomalies in the martian atmosphere: Probing current and ancient reservoirs

Citations Over TimeTop 1% of 2015 papers

Abstract

We measured maps of atmospheric water (H2O) and its deuterated form (HDO) across the martian globe, showing strong isotopic anomalies and a significant high deuterium/hydrogen (D/H) enrichment indicative of great water loss. The maps sample the evolution of sublimation from the north polar cap, revealing that the released water has a representative D/H value enriched by a factor of about 7 relative to Earth's ocean [Vienna standard mean ocean water (VSMOW)]. Certain basins and orographic depressions show even higher enrichment, whereas high-altitude regions show much lower values (1 to 3 VSMOW). Our atmospheric maps indicate that water ice in the polar reservoirs is enriched in deuterium to at least 8 VSMOW, which would mean that early Mars (4.5 billion years ago) had a global equivalent water layer at least 137 meters deep.

Related Papers

• → Sources of Ionospheric Variability at Mars(2017)50 cited
• → Measurements of electrical discharges in Martian regolith simulant(2001)17 cited
• → Is Release of Martian Atmosphere from Polar Clathrate the Cause of the Nakhlite and ALH84001 Ar/Kr/Xe Ratios?(2001)11 cited
• → Mars: Upper Atmosphere(1966)23 cited
• → High dispersion spectra of the outer planets. II. A new upper limit for the water vapor content of the Martian atmosphere(1963)11 cited