Tracing the fate of carbon and the atmospheric evolution of Mars

• DOI: 10.1038/ncomms10003
• Publication Date: 2015-11-24T16:32:36Z
• Authors: Renyu Hu; David M. Kass; Bethany L. Ehlmann; Yuk L. Yung
• Keywords: Atmosphere of Mars; Atmospheric escape; Carbon fibers

Abstract The climate of Mars likely evolved from a warmer, wetter early state to the cold, arid current state. However, no solutions for this evolution have previously been found satisfy observed geological features and isotopic measurements atmosphere. Here we show that family exist, invoking missing reservoirs or loss processes. Escape carbon via CO photodissociation sputtering enriches heavy ( 13 C) in Martian atmosphere, partially compensated by moderate carbonate precipitation. atmospheric C/ 12 C rock soil indicate an atmosphere with surface pressure <1 bar. Only scenarios large amounts formation open lakes permit higher values up 1.8 evolutionary are fully testable data MAVEN mission further studies composition record through time.