Aug 1991
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1991natur.352..489m&link_type=abstract
Nature (ISSN 0028-0836), vol. 352, Aug. 8, 1991, p. 489-496.
Other
38
Habitability, Life Support Systems, Mars Atmosphere, Planetary Bases, Carbon Dioxide, Earth Atmosphere, Nitrogen, Water
Scientific paper
The possibility is considered that the atmosphere and climate of Mars could be altered to allow terrestrial life forms, and possibly human beings, to survive on the surface. Production of CFCs or other greenhouse gases on Mars would warm the surface enough for the regolith and polar caps to release their CO2 and raise atmospheric pressure to 100 mbar. If a large regolith and polar CO2 reservoirs exist, the pressure would continue to rise on its own. If these are absent, additional CO2 would have to be released from carbonate minerals. At this point, perhaps between 100 and 100,000 yrs, Mars might be suitable for plants. If there is a mechanism for sequestering the reduced carbon, these plants could slowly transform the CO2 to produce an O2-rich atmosphere in perhaps 100,000 yrs. If sufficient N2 could be released from putative soil deposits and the CO2 level could be kept low enough, then a human-breathable atmosphere would be produced.
Kasting James F.
McKay Christopher P.
Toon Brian O.
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