Mars atmospheric surface interactions and the CO2 cycle
June 3, 2011
Mars' northern and southern seasonal polar caps are formed during their respective autumn and winter seasons both by condensation of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) directly onto the surface, and through atmospheric precipitation in the form of CO2 snow. During the polar spring and summer, the seasonal ice sublimes, returning CO2 to the atmosphere.
Roughly 25% of the atmosphere, which is 95% CO2 by volume, is cycled through the seasonal caps annually. This CO2 cycle dominates atmospheric circulation on Mars and must be thoroughly understood before the fundamental questions about Mars' climate history and the global distribution of near‐surface water can be addressed.
Citation Information
Publication Year | 2011 |
---|---|
Title | Mars atmospheric surface interactions and the CO2 cycle |
DOI | 10.1029/2005EO460006 |
Authors | Timothy N. Titus, Anthony Colaprete |
Publication Type | Article |
Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
Series Title | Eos, Transactions, American Geophysical Union |
Index ID | 70202258 |
Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
USGS Organization | Astrogeology Science Center |