Physics of saltation and sand transport on Titan: A brief review

• Summarizes key parameters about eolian processes on Titan.
• Explores sensitivity of saltation to assumed parameters.
• Notes potential (!) for electrostatic effects on sand transport.
• Evaluates dune-building timescales.

Key physical aspects of saltation and sand transport on Titan are reviewed, and the sensitivity of saltation parameters to assumptions about sand composition (most likely of ‘heavy’ organics) is explored. The possibility of significant triboelectric charging of sediments in Titan’s low-conductivity environment is noted, and given Titan’s low gravity electrostatic forces could substantially influence the saltation mechanics. Saltation paths are likely too short to permit observable ripples, while dunes may grow from an elemental size of ∼1.5 m to a spacing of ∼3 km, limited by the thickness of the atmospheric boundary layer. Most of Titan’s dunes are of this size, indicating completed growth and that dividing sand volume by sand fluxes will yield only a lower limit on the dune age. Sand fluxes are estimated.