Enhanced CO2 trapping in water ice via atmospheric deposition with relevance to Mars

It has been suggested that inclusions of CO2 or CO2 clathrate hydrates may comprise a portion of the polar deposits on Mars. Here we present results from an experimental study in which CO2 molecules were trapped in water ice deposited from CO2/H2O atmospheres at temperatures relevant for the polar regions of Mars. Fourier-Transform Infrared spectroscopy was used to monitor the phase of the condensed ice, and temperature programmed desorption was used to quantify the ratio of species in the generated ice films. Our results show that when H2O ice is deposited at 140–165 K, CO2 is trapped in large quantities, greater than expected based on lower temperature studies in amorphous ice. The trapping occurs at pressures well below the condensation point for pure CO2 ice, and therefore this mechanism may allow for CO2 deposition at the poles during warmer periods. The amount of trapped CO2 varied from 3% to 16% by mass at 160 K, depending on the substrate studied. Substrates studied were a tetrahydrofuran (C4H8O) base clathrate and Fe–montmorillonite clay, an analog for Mars soil. Experimental evidence indicates that the ice structures are likely CO2 clathrate hydrates. These results have implications for the CO2 content, overall composition, and density of the polar deposits on Mars.