Physics – Geophysics
Scientific paper
Jun 2007
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2007georl..3411202e&link_type=abstract
Geophysical Research Letters, Volume 34, Issue 11, CiteID L11202
Physics
Geophysics
12
Geochemistry: Planetary Geochemistry (5405, 5410, 5704, 5709, 6005, 6008), Marine Geology And Geophysics: Gas And Hydrate Systems, Planetary Sciences: Astrobiology: Planetary Atmospheres, Clouds, And Hazes (0343), Planetary Sciences: Astrobiology: Hydrothermal Systems And Weathering On Other Planets, Planetary Sciences: Solar System Objects: Mars
Scientific paper
Recent observations of CH4 in the Martian atmosphere suggest that CH4 has been added relatively recently. Several mechanisms for recent CH4 release have been proposed including subsurface biological methanogenesis, abiogenic hydrothermal and/or volcanic activity, dissociation of CH4 hydrates, atmospheric photolysis, or addition of organics via bolide impact. This study examines the effects of increasing salinity on gas hydrate stability and compares estimates of the Martian geothermal gradient to CH4 and CO2 hydrate stability fields in the presence of high salinity brines. The results demonstrate that salinity increases alone result in a significant decrease in the predicted hydrate stability zone within the Martian subsurface and may be a driving force in CH4 hydrate destabilization. Active thermal and/or pressure fluctuations are not required in order for CH4 hydrates to be the source of atmospheric CH4.
Elwood Madden Megan E.
Onstott Tullis C.
Phelps Tommy J.
Ulrich Sven Markus
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