On laboratory simulation and the temperature dependence of the evaporation rate of brine on Mars

We have determined the evaporation rate of brine under simulated martian conditions at temperatures from 0°C to −26.0°C as part of our efforts to better understand the stability of water on Mars. Correcting for the effect of water build‐up in the atmosphere and the lower gravity on Mars relative to...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inGeophysical research letters Vol. 32; no. 23; pp. L23203 - n/a
Main Authors Sears, Derek W. G., Chittenden, Julie D.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published American Geophysical Union 01.12.2005
Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Subjects
Biogeosciences
Evapotranspiration
Global Change
Hydrology
Mars
Planetary Sciences
Solar System Objects
Water cycles
Water/energy interactions
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Summary:We have determined the evaporation rate of brine under simulated martian conditions at temperatures from 0°C to −26.0°C as part of our efforts to better understand the stability of water on Mars. Correcting for the effect of water build‐up in the atmosphere and the lower gravity on Mars relative to Earth we observed a factor of almost 30 decrease in evaporation, from 0.88 mm/h at ∼0°C to 0.04 mm/h at −25.0°C. The results are in excellent agreement with the predictions of Ingersoll's (1970) theoretical treatment, lending support to the theory and our procedures. Thus brine formation will increase the stability of water on Mars not only by extending the liquid temperature range, but also by considerably decreasing the evaporation rate.
Bibliography:ark:/67375/WNG-PNVF8QLF-W
ArticleID:2005GL024154
istex:7626403FAE52EAF87BC79C230CE0C180BB7279A5
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ISSN:0094-8276
1944-8007
DOI:10.1029/2005GL024154