Physics
Scientific paper
Jun 1986
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1986georl..13..555d&link_type=abstract
Geophysical Research Letters (ISSN 0094-8276), vol. 13, June 1986, p. 555-557; Reply, p. 559, 560.
Physics
8
Atmospheric Entry, Comets, Upper Atmosphere, Water Vapor, Aeronomy, Air Water Interactions, Mars Atmosphere, Venus Atmosphere, Vertical Motion, Comets, Flux, Earth, Atmosphere, Bombardment, Aeronomy, Hypotheses, Water, Thermosphere, Injection, Analysis
Scientific paper
The proposal by Frank et al. (1986) that clouds of small comets periodically inject large amounts of H2O into the upper atmospheres of the earth, Venus, and Mars is examined critically, with a focus on transport and disposal mechanisms invoked to account for the large H2O masses involved. It is argued that observed parameter values (such as mixing ratios, vertical wind velocities, and H escape flows) prohibit transport by eddy, molecular diffusion, vertical avection, or coherent movement. In a reply by Frank et al., these objections are discussed in terms of an overall description of the decelerataion and penetration of a cometary water cloud, and H2O concentrations and mixing mechanisms consistent with observed values for the earth are proposed. It is suggested that an increase in cometary H2O influx could lead to concentrations attaining the frost point and to formation of a global mesospheric cloud with significant climate effects. A lower H2O influx rate for Venus (consistent with observed H loss and atmospheric H2O concentration) and relatively rapid loading of the Mars surface and atmosphere with H2O ice and vapor (followed by brief warming periods with increased exospheric H2O outflow and surface flow of liquid H2O) are considered.
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