Title: Surface/Atmosphere Interactions and Volatile Transport (Triton, Pluto, and Io)
Abstract: On Triton and Pluto, the volatile frosts are held close to a single temperature by hydrostatic equilibrium and latent heat transport. Their atmospheres are expected to undergo extreme seasonal variations in pressure as the insolation on the ices changes, leading to seasonal variations in atmospheric mixing ratios and to the seasonal hemispherical transport of surface ice. A depth of approximately one meter of N 2 ice is transported on semiannual timescales; this is far in excess of the maximum mass of these atmospheres. Pluto's present atmospheric escape rate implies that over the life of the solar system, ~ 2 km of N 2 ice could have escaped from Pluto. Two alternative models have been proposed which can produce the observed elevated levels of CH 4 in Pluto's atmosphere, both focusing on surface-atmosphere interactions. The "Detailed Balancing Model" assumes that a CH 4-enriched surface layer, only a few molecules thick and effectively in vapor pressure equilibrium with the atmosphere, reduces the partial pressure of N 2 enough to explain the enhanced atmospheric mixing ratio of CH 4. The "Patch Model" assumes that the sublimation of N 2 leaves behind a relatively small fractional area (at most 1%) of CH 4 'lag' deposit which develops into rather thick, warm local patches which release CH 4 into the atmosphere.
Publication Year: 1998
Publication Date: 1998-01-01
Language: en
Type: book-chapter
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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Cited By Count: 38
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