Physics
Scientific paper
Oct 2009
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2009georl..3620201z&link_type=abstract
Geophysical Research Letters, Volume 36, Issue 20, CiteID L20201
Physics
11
Planetary Sciences: Solar System Objects: Mars, Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets: Surface Materials And Properties, Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets: Hydrology And Fluvial Processes, Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets: Ices, Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets: Meteorology (3346)
Scientific paper
Perchlorate salts (mostly magnesium and sodium perchlorate) have been detected on Mars' arctic soil by the Phoenix lander, furthermore chloride salts have been found on the Meridiani and Gusev sites and on widespread deposits on the southern Martian hemisphere. The presence of these salts on the surface is not only relevant because of their ability to lower the freezing point of water, but also because they can absorb water vapor and form a liquid solution (deliquesce). We show experimentally that small amounts of sodium perchlorate (˜ 1 mg), at Mars atmospheric conditions, spontaneously absorb moisture and melt into a liquid solution growing into ˜ 1 mm liquid spheroids at temperatures as low as 225 K. Also mixtures of water ice and sodium perchlorate melt into a liquid at this temperature. Our results indicate that salty environments make liquid water to be locally and sporadically stable on present day Mars.
Mateo-Martí Eva
Osuna S.
Prieto-Ballesteros Olga
Renno Nilton
Zorzano Maria Paz
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