Exploratour - Carbon Cycle of Mars
This is an image of a plateau and surrounding steep slopes within the Valles Marineris.
Click on image for full size
Image from: Malin Space Science Systems
Click on image for full size
Image from: Malin Space Science Systems
Carbon Dioxide
The martian atmosphere is made of CO2. On Earth we have what is known as the carbon cycle. It is something like the water cycle. Water on earth cycles between the ground and the air. Scientist want to understand more about the carbon cycle of Mars.
If Mars used to have a thick
atmosphere made of CO2, where is all the CO2 now? If CO2 went into the
ground, where is the carbonate on the surface of Mars? Unlike Hyrodgen or
Helium, CO2 does not readily escape from an atmosphere.