Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
1782543 | Planetary and Space Science | 2007 | 11 Pages |
Abstract
Small amounts of methane have been detected in the atmosphere of Mars, though the actual sources of the gas remain unknown. Thermodynamic conditions on Mars suggest that gas clathrate hydrate deposits might exist at the polar caps and in some areas of the planetary subsurface. We review the literature available on the detection of methane in the martian atmosphere and the presence of gas clathrate hydrates on Mars. The possibility of martian methane clathrate deposits is established, and initial sources for the sequestered methane are discussed. Based on correlated data and information from disparate sources, we conclude that subsurface methane clathrate deposits are a possible immediate source for the observed atmospheric methane on Mars.
Keywords
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering
Earth and Planetary Sciences
Geophysics
Authors
Brendon K. Chastain, Vincent Chevrier,