Dunes in the north polar region of Mars - Their possible formation from low-density sedimentary aggregates

Low-density aggregates composed of submicron clay aerosols were formed experimentally as the sublimation residues of masses of dust-nucleated ice. These ice-dust mixtures are considered to be possible analogs of materials of Martian north polar deposits. Low-density (0.002 g/cu cm) spheroidal pellets formed from these materials in wind tunnel experiments are studied as possible candidates for the formation of dunes in the north polar region of Mars. It is shown that these particles move like sand grains under conditions of saltation and, taken in sufficient quantities, can form the dunes observed in the north circumpolar erg.