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Quasi-periodic atmosphere-regolith-cap CO2 redistribution in the martian pastOur earlier Mars regolith-atmosphere-cap CO2 distribution model (Fanale et al., 1982, Icarus 50, 381-407) has been improved, revised, and extended back over Mars' mid to late history. The present model takes into account four new factors: (1) a more realistic long-term obliquity cycle, (2) thermal conduction as it affects the surface energy balance, (3) the changing solar constant, and (4) atmospheric erosion 3.5 byr ago to the present. Solar insolation and temperatures are computed for the full range of obliquities, latitudes, and epochs, and a CO2 adsorption relation is used, together with a conservation of mass constraint, to calculate atmospheric pressures and exchangeable CO2 mass as functions of obliquity and epoch for the regolith, atmosphere, and polar caps for two assumed thicknesses of a basalt regolith. It is found that the heat conduction term in the surface boundary condition has an important effect in reducing the range of atmospheric pressures over the obliquity cycle at all epochs.
Document ID
19950058545
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Fanale, Fraser P.
(School of Ocean and Earth Sciences and Technology, Honolulu, HI United States)
Salvail, James R.
(School of Ocean and Earth Sciences and Technology, Honolulu, HI United States)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
October 1, 1994
Publication Information
Publication: Icarus
Volume: 111
Issue: 2
ISSN: 0019-1035
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
95A90144
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-583
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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