Water Vapor and Methane Transport in the Martian Subsurface

Abstract:

In this study, we model gas transport through porous Martian regolith focusing on water vapor and methane. Our 1D subsurface model takes into account the different phases of water: vapor, ice and adsorbed H₂O. The role of adsorption and advection on water transfer in Martian conditions is investigated as well as the range of parameters that have the largest effect on gas transport. In addition, adsorption kinetics is considered to examine its influence on the water vapor exchange between the subsurface and the atmosphere. Different plausible methane volumes at variable depths under the Martian surface are considered to study the methane diffusion. Finally, our model is used locally in order to compare the results obtained with observations of different missions such as Mars Science Laboratory.