Source processes for the alkali metals in the atmosphere of Mercury

A large (fivefold) increase in Mercury's potassium (K) column abundance on October 14, 1987, has been reported by Sprague et al. (1990), who attributed the enhancement to diffusion through the surface in the Caloris Basin, from depths of order 10 km. The postulated source rate is much larger than any previously estimated diffusion rate, and, if true, certainly affects consideration of the origin of other atmospheric species. However, Killen et al. (1991) have pointed out that the claim is not supported by the published observations of K or sodium as a whole. Sprague et al. (1991) have responded by further hypothesizing the existence of several other sources of gas diffusing out of the regolith, all of which are time variable. In any case, the Sprague et al. data indicate large variations in abundance, and it is important to understand the cause. With this issue in mind, the available abundance estimates for correlation with possible controlling physical parameters has ben examined. A significant correlation between the average zenith K column abundance and indices of solar activity has been found.