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Detailed Reference Information |
Cheng, B., Chew, E.P., Liu, C., Bahou, M., Lee, Y., Yung, Y.L. and Gerstell, M.F. (1999). Photo-induced fractionation of water isotopomers in the Martian atmosphere. Geophysical Research Letters 26: doi: 10.1029/1999GL008367. issn: 0094-8276. |
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The history and size of the water reservoirs on early Mars can be constrained using isotopic ratios of deuterium to hydrogen. We present new laboratory measurements of the ultraviolet cross-sections of H2O and its isotopomers, and modeling calculations in support of a photo-induced fractionation effect (PHIFE), that reconciles a discrepancy between past theoretical modeling and recent observations. This supports the hypothesis that Mars had an early warm atmosphere and has lost at least a 50-m global layer of water. Likely applications of PHIFE to other planetary atmospheres are sketched. ¿ 1999 American Geophysical Union |
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Abstract |
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Keywords
Geochemistry, Planetary geochemistry (5405, 5410, 5704, 5709, 6005, 6008), Planetology, Solid Surface Planets, Atmospheres—composition and chemistry, Planetology, Solid Surface Planets, Atmospheres—evolution, Planetology, Solar System Objects, Mars, Geochemistry |
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Publisher
American Geophysical Union 2000 Florida Avenue N.W. Washington, D.C. 20009-1277 USA 1-202-462-6900 1-202-328-0566 service@agu.org |
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