Carbon Dioxide Clathrate in the Martian Ice Cap
Abstract
Measurements of the dissociation pressure of carbon dioxide hydrate show that this hydrate (CO2 \cdot 6H2O) is stable relative to solid CO2 and water ice at temperatures above about 121 degrees K. Since this hydrate forms from finely divided ice and gaseous CO2 in several hours at 150 degrees K, it is likely to be present in the martian ice cap. The ice cap can consist of water ice, water ice + CO2 hydrate, or CO2 hydrate + solid CO2, but not water ice + solid CO2.
- Publication:
-
Science
- Pub Date:
- October 1970
- DOI:
- 10.1126/science.170.3957.531
- Bibcode:
- 1970Sci...170..531M