Journal
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ASTROBIOLOGY
Volume 9, Issue 1, Pages 45-49Publisher
CAMBRIDGE UNIV PRESS
DOI: 10.1017/S147355040999036X
Keywords
Mars; liquid water; liquid brines; sub-surface melting; solid state greenhouse effect
Funding
- ESA ECS [98076]
- Helmholtz Association
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Thermodynamics teaches that pure liquid bulk water cannot stably exist oil the surface of Mars. However, it is shown by thermodynamic arguments that liquid water can exist, at least temporarily, in the upper surface of Mars, in form of: (a) undercooled liquid interfacial water (ULI water); (b) undercooled liquid water in cryo-brines; and (c) liquid bulk water (due to solid-state greenhouse subsurface melting) in the subsurface of ice areas, which are covered by a lid of solid ice only. The presence of these forms of liquid water on present Mars is discussed in detail and in view of the possible consequences for physical, chemical and eventual biological processes.
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