Impact of two DNA repair pathways, homologous recombination and non-homologous end joining, on bacterial spore inactivation under simulated martian environmental conditions

Spores of Bacillus subtilis were used as a model system to study the impact of the two major DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair mechanisms [homologous recombination (HR) and non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ)] on the survivability of air-dried mono- and multilayers of bacterial spores under a simulated martian environment; i.e., an environment with low temperature (−10 °C), pure CO₂ atmosphere (99.99% CO₂), 200-1100 nm UV-VIS-NIR radiation, and 0.69 kPa pressure. Spores in multilayers exhibited low inactivation rates compared to monolayers, mainly due to shadowing effects of overlying spores. Simulated martian UV irradiation reduced dramatically spore viability, whereas when shielded from martian UV radiation, spores deficient in NHEJ- and HR-mediated DNA repair were significantly more sensitive to simulated martian environmental conditions than were wild-type spores. In addition, NHEJ-deficient spores were consistently more sensitive than HR-deficient spores to simulated Mars environmental conditions, suggesting that DSBs were an important type of DNA damage. The results indicated that both HR and NHEJ provide an efficient set of DNA repair pathways ensuring spore survival after exposure to simulated martian environmental conditions.     

Methane adsorption on a martian soil analog: An abiogenic explanation for methane variability in the martian atmosphere

Recent observations suggest methane in the martian atmosphere is variable on short spatial and temporal scales. However, to explain the variability by loss reactions requires production rates much larger than expected. Here, we report results of laboratory studies of methane adsorption onto JSC-Mars-1, a martian soil simulant, and suggest that this process could explain the observations. Uptake coefficient (γ) values were measured as a function of temperature using a high-vacuum Knudsen cell able to simulate martian temperature and pressure conditions. Values of γ were measured from 115 to 135 K, and the data were extrapolated to higher temperatures with more relevance to Mars. Adsorptive uptake was found to increase at lower temperatures and larger methane partial pressures. Although only sub-monolayer methane surface coverage is likely to exist under martian conditions, a very large mineral surface area is available for adsorption as atmospheric methane can diffuse meters into the regolith. As a result, significant methane may be temporarily lost to the regolith on a seasonal time scale. As this weak adsorption is fully reversible, methane will be re-released into the atmosphere when surface and subsurface temperatures rise and so no net loss of methane occurs. Heterogeneous interaction of methane with martian soil grains is the only process proposed thus far which contains both rapid methane loss and rapid methane production mechanisms and is thus fully consistent with the reported variability of methane on Mars.     

Regolith-atmosphere exchange of water and carbon dioxide on Mars: Effects on atmospheric history and climate change

Exchange of CO₂ and H₂O between the Mars regolith and the atmosphere-cap system plays an important role in governing the evolution of the martian atmosphere and the martian climate. Most of the exchangeable CO₂ (perhaps one or two orders of magnitude more than the atmospheric inventory) is currently adsorbed on the deep regolith, and can be “cryopumped” to a large quasipermanent CO₂ cap (not now present) during lowest Mars obliquity (θ). During the obliquity driven regolith-cap CO₂ exchange cycle, the atmospheric pressure varies harmonically between ~0.1 mb (lowest Θ) and ? 20 mb (highest Θ). The regolith buffer plays only a small or negligible role in the seasonal CO₂ pressure variations caused by atmosphere-cap exchange because adsorption greatly inhibits diffusion of the seasonal “pressure wave” into the regolith. In contrast, thermally driven H₂O seasonal exchange between the atmosphere and regolith appears to be in large part responsible for observed seasonal variations in the small atmospheric H₂O inventory. Long term exchange of H₂O may be dominated by transfer between the polar caps and ice in the regolith. Available and potential tests of regolith-atmospheric-cap volatile exchange models using ground-based and spacecraft-based techniques are discussed.     

Extended survival of several organisms and amino acids under simulated martian surface conditions

Recent orbital and landed missions have provided substantial evidence for ancient liquid water on the martian surface as well as evidence of more recent sedimentary deposits formed by water and/or ice. These observations raise serious questions regarding an independent origin and evolution of life on Mars. Future missions seek to identify signs of extinct martian biota in the form of biomarkers or morphological characteristics, but the inherent danger of spacecraft-borne terrestrial life makes the possibility of forward contamination a serious threat not only to the life detection experiments, but also to any extant martian ecosystem. A variety of cold and desiccation-tolerant organisms were exposed to 40 days of simulated martian surface conditions while embedded within several centimeters of regolith simulant in order to ascertain the plausibility of such organisms’ survival as a function of environmental parameters and burial depth. Relevant amino acid biomarkers associated with terrestrial life were also analyzed in order to understand the feasibility of detecting chemical evidence for previous biological activity. Results indicate that stresses due to desiccation and oxidation were the primary deterrent to organism survival, and that the effects of UV-associated damage, diurnal temperature variations, and reactive atmospheric species were minimal. Organisms with resistance to desiccation and radiation environments showed increased levels of survival after the experiment compared to organisms characterized as psychrotolerant. Amino acid analysis indicated the presence of an oxidation mechanism that migrated downward through the samples during the course of the experiment and likely represents the formation of various oxidizing species at mineral surfaces as water vapor diffused through the regolith. Current sterilization protocols may specifically select for organisms best adapted to survival at the martian surface, namely species that show tolerance to radical-induced oxidative damage and low water activity environments. Additionally, any hypothetical martian ecosystems may have evolved similar physiological traits that allow sporadic metabolism during periods of increased water activity.     

Water sorption on martian regolith analogs: Thermodynamics and near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy

The near-infrared reflectance spectra of the martian surface present strong absorption features attributed to hydration water present in the regolith. In order to characterize the relationships between this water and atmospheric vapor and decipher the physical state of water molecules in martian regolith analogs, we designed and built an experimental setup to measure near-IR reflectance spectra under martian atmospheric conditions. Six samples were studied that cover part of the diversity of Mars surface mineralogy: a hydrated ferric oxide (ferrihydrite), two igneous samples (volcanic tuff, and dunite sand), and three potential water rich soil materials (Mg-sulfate, smectite powder and a palagonitic soil, the JSC Mars-1 regolith stimulant). Sorption and desorption isotherms were measured at 243 K for water vapor pressure varying from 10⁻⁵ to ∼0.3 mbar (relative humidity: 10⁻⁴ to 75%). These measurements reveal a large diversity of behavior among the sample suite in terms of absolute amount of water adsorbed, shape of the isotherm and hysteresis between the adsorption and desorption branches. Simultaneous in situ spectroscopic observations permit a detailed analysis of the spectral signature of adsorbed water and also point to clear differences between the samples. Ferric (oxy)hydroxides like ferrihydrite or other phases present in palagonitic soils are very strong water adsorbent and may play an important role in the current martian water cycle by allowing large exchange of water between dust-covered regions and atmosphere at diurnal and seasonal scales.     

Spectral evidence for zeolite in the dust on Mars

Spectral features observed in Mars Global Surveyor Thermal Emission Spectrometer data (∼1670-220 cm⁻¹) of martian surface dust provide clues to its mineralogy. An emissivity peak at ∼1630 cm⁻¹ is consistent with the presence of an H₂O-bearing mineral. This spectral feature can be mapped globally and shows a distribution related to the classical bright regions on Mars that are known to be dust covered. An important spectral feature at ∼830 cm⁻¹ present in a newly derived average spectrum of surface dust likely is a transparency feature arising from the fine particulate nature of the dust. Its shape and location are consistent with plagioclase feldspars and also zeolites, which essentially are the hydrous form of feldspar. The generally favored visible/near-infrared spectral analog for martian dust, JSC Mars-1 altered tephra, does not display the ∼830 cm⁻¹ feature. Zeolites commonly form from the interaction of low temperature aqueous fluids and volcanic glass in a variety of geologic settings. The combination of spectral features that are consistent with zeolites and the likelihood that Mars has (or had) geologic conditions necessary to produce them makes a strong case for recognizing zeolite minerals as likely components of the martian regolith.     

Experimental evidence for the potential impact ejection of viable microorganisms from Mars and Mars-like planets

Bacterial spores (Bacillus subtilis), cyanobacteria (Chroococcidiopsis sp.), and lichen (Xanthoria elegans) embedded in martian analogue rock (gabbro) were exposed to shock pressures between 5 and 50 GPa which is the range of pressures observed in martian meteorites. The survival of Bacillus subtilis and Xanthoria elegans up to 45 GPa and of Chroococcidiopsis sp. up to 10 GPa supports the possibility of transfer of life inside meteoroids between Mars and Earth and it implies the potential for the transfer of life from any Mars-like planet to other habitable planets in the same stellar system.     

A 1 Gyr climate model for Mars: new orbital statistics and the importance of seasonally resolved polar processes

New results from a 1 Gyr integration of the martian orbit are presented along with a seasonally resolved energy balance climate model employed to illuminate the gross characteristics of the long-term atmospheric pressure evolution. We present a new analysis of the statistical variation of the martian obliquity and precession prior to and subsequent to the formation of the Tharsis uplift, and explore the long term effects on the martian climate. We find that seasonal polar cycles have a critical influence on the ability for the regolith to release CO₂ at high obliquities, and find that the atmospheric CO₂ actually decreases at high obliquities due to the cooling effect of polar deposits at latitudes where seasonal caps form. At low obliquity, the formation of massive, permanent polar caps depends critically on the values of the frost albedo, A_frost, and frost emissivity, ?_frost. Using our model with values of A_frost=0.67 and ?_frost=0.55, matched to the NASA Ames General Circulation Model (GCM) results (Haberle et al., 1993, J. Geophys. Res. 98, 3093-3123, and Haberle et al., 2003, Icarus 161, 66-89), we find that permanent caps only form at low obliquities (<13°), suggesting that any permanent deposits on the surface of Mars today may be residuals left over from a period of very low obliquity, or are the result of mechanisms not represented by this model. Thus, contrary to expectations, the martian atmospheric pressure is remarkable static over time, and decreases both at high and low obliquity. Also, from our one billion year orbital model, we present new results on the fraction of time Mars is expected to experience periods of low obliquity and high obliquity.     

Neutron Capture Isotopes in the Martian Regolith and Implications for Martian Atmospheric Noble Gases

Impact-produced glasses in some martian meteorites have trapped significant amounts of the recent martian atmosphere. From literature data, we estimate that ∼9% of the trapped ⁸⁰Kr in these meteorites was produced from neutron capture on ⁷⁹Br. Estimates of neutron fluences made from ⁸⁰Kr and ¹⁴⁹Sm for bulk samples of meteorite EET79001 indicate that ⁸⁰Kr excesses in the impact glass were not produced in situ. Theoretical calculations independently predict production of a large neutron-capture component of ⁸⁰Kr and ³⁶Ar in the martian regolith, and part of this component presumably escaped into the martian atmosphere. These calculations were made by using the Los Alamos High-Energy Transport Code to calculate the fluxes of galactic cosmic ray (GCR)-produced thermal neutrons as a function of depth in the uppermost 500 g cm⁻² of the martian surface, and by adopting average Cl, Br, and I concentrations of the upper martian surface of ∼0.3%, ∼20 ppm, and ∼0.5 ppm, respectively. Combining these data with the appropriate neutron-capture cross sections, we calculate Mars global production rates of ⁸⁰Kr_n=2.4×10¹⁶atoms sec⁻¹, ³⁶Ar_n=5.5×10¹⁸ atoms sec⁻¹, and ¹²⁸Xe_n=3×10¹³ atoms sec⁻¹. Calculated global production rates of spallogenic ⁸⁰Kr_sp, and ³⁶Ar_sp, are smaller by factors of ∼770 and ∼29, respectively. It would require ∼330 Myr to produce an amount of ⁸⁰Kr_n equivalent to the amount inferred to be present today in the martian atmosphere (∼2.5×10³² atoms). Production of these neutron-capture components probably has occurred over the past ∼4 Gyr, as only an atmospheric pressure substantially higher than today's would appreciably decrease the neutron flux in the regolith. Thus, most of the neutron-capture noble gases produced over time probably remain in the martian regolith and would make sensitive indicators of the time period a sample has resided near the martian surface. Assuming mixing of the martian surface to an average depth of 100 m, the predicted average regolith concentrations of ⁸⁰Kr_n, ³⁶Ar_n, and ¹²⁸Xe_n are ∼4×10⁻⁹ cm⁻³ g⁻¹, ∼1×10⁻⁶ cm³ g⁻¹, and ∼5×10⁻¹² cm³ g⁻¹, respectively. If similar fractions of these neutron-capture isotopes have escaped into the atmosphere, they would comprise ∼3% and ∼0.2% of the present atmospheric inventories of ³⁶Ar and ¹²⁸Xe, respectively. The fractional excess of ⁸⁰Kr_n in ancient martian meteorite ALH84001 appears similar to that in shock-glass phases of young shergottite meteorites. If ALH84001 acquired its atmospheric gases ∼4 Gyr ago, this implies that, prior to that time, halogens were greatly concentrated at the martian surface by crustal formational and weathering processes, impacts efficiently degassed the regolith, and Mars did not have a significant atmosphere to shield the surface.     

The effects of the martian regolith on GCM water cycle simulations

This paper describes General Circulation Model (GCM) simulations of the martian water cycle focusing on the effects of an adsorbing regolith. We describe the 10-layer regolith model used in this study which has been adapted from the 1-D model developed by Zent, A.P., Haberle, R.M., Houben, H.C., Jakosky, B.M. [1993. A coupled subsurface-boundary layer model of water on Mars. J. Geophys. Res. 98 (E2), 3319-3337, February]. Even with a 30-min timestep and taking into account the effect of surface water ice, our fully implicit scheme compares well with the results obtained by Zent, A.P., Haberle, R.M., Houben, H.C., Jakosky, B.M. [1993. A coupled subsurface-boundary layer model of water on Mars. J. Geophys. Res. 98 (E2), 3319-3337, February]. This means, however, that the regolith is not able to reproduce the diurnal variations in column water vapour abundance of up to a factor of 2-3 as seen in some observations, with only about 10% of the atmospheric water vapour column exchanging with the subsurface on a daily basis. In 3-D simulations we find that the regolith adsorbs water preferentially in high latitudes. This is especially true in the northern hemisphere, where perennial subsurface water ice builds up poleward of 60° N at depths which are comparable to the Odyssey observations. Much less ice forms in the southern high latitudes, which suggests that the water ice currently present in the martian subsurface is not stable under present conditions and is slowly subliming and being deposited in the northern hemisphere. When initialising the model with an Odyssey-like subsurface water ice distribution the model is capable of forcing the simulated water cycle from an arbitrary state close to the Mars Global Surveyor Thermal Emission Spectrometer observations. Without the actions of the adsorbing regolith the equilibrated water cycle is found to be a factor of 2-4 too wet. The process by which this occurs is by adsorption of water during northern hemisphere summer in northern mid and high latitudes where it remains locked in until northern spring when the seasonal CO₂ ice cap retreats. At this time the water diffuses out of the regolith in response to increased temperature and is returned to the residual water ice cap by eddie transport.     

Minimum estimates of the amount and timing of gases released into the martian atmosphere from volcanic eruptions

Volcanism has been a major process during most of the geologic history of Mars. Based on data collected from terrestrial basaltic eruptions, we assume that the volatile content of martian lavas was typically ∼0.5 wt.% water, ∼0.7 wt.% carbon dioxide, ∼0.14 wt.% sulfur dioxide, and contained several other important volatile constituents. From the geologic record of volcanism on Mars we find that during the late Noachian and through the Amazonian volcanic degassing contributed ∼0.8 bar to the martian atmosphere. Because most of the outgassing consisted of greenhouse gases (i.e., CO₂ and SO₂) warmer surface temperatures resulting from volcanic eruptions may have been possible. Our estimates suggest that ∼1.1 × 10²¹ g (∼8 ± 1 m m⁻²) of juvenile water were released by volcanism; slightly more than half the amount contained in the north polar cap and atmosphere. Estimates for released CO₂ (1.6 × 10²¹ g) suggests that a large reservoir of carbon dioxide is adsorbed in the martian regolith or alternatively ∼300 cm cm⁻² of carbonates may have formed, although these materials would not occur readily in the presence of excess SO₂. Up to ∼120 cm cm⁻² (2.2 × 10²⁰ g) of acid rain (H₂SO₄) may have precipitated onto the martian surface as the result of SO₂ degassing. The hydrogen flux resulting from volcanic outgassing may help explain the martian atmospheric D/H ratio. The amount of outgassed nitrogen (∼1.3 mbar) may also be capable of explaining the martian atmospheric ¹⁵N/¹⁴N ratio. Minor gas constituents (HF, HCl, and H₂S) could have formed hydroxyl salts on the surface resulting in the physical weathering of geologic materials. The amount of hydrogen fluoride emitted (1.82 × 10¹⁸ g) could be capable of dissolving a global layer of quartz sand ∼5 mm thick, possibly explaining why this mineral has not been positively identified in spectral observations. The estimates of volcanic outgassing presented here will be useful in understanding how the martian atmosphere evolved over time.     

Sorted clastic stripes, lobes and associated gullies in high-latitude craters on Mars: Landforms indicative of very recent, polycyclic ground-ice thaw and liquid flows

Self-organised patterns of stone stripes, polygons, circles and clastic solifluction lobes form by the sorting of clasts from fine-grained sediments in freeze-thaw cycles. We present new High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) images of Mars which demonstrate that the slopes of high-latitude craters, including Heimdal crater - just 25 km east of the Phoenix Landing Site - are patterned by all of these landforms. The order of magnitude improvement in imaging data resolution afforded by HiRISE over previous datasets allows not only the reliable identification of these periglacial landforms but also shows that high-latitude fluviatile gullies both pre- and post-date periglacial patterned ground in several high-latitude settings on Mars. Because thaw is inherent to the sorting processes that create these periglacial landforms, and from the association of this landform assemblage with fluviatile gullies, we infer the action of liquid water in a fluvio-periglacial context. We conclude that these observations are evidence of the protracted, widespread action of thaw liquids on and within the martian regolith. Moreover, the size frequency statistics of superposed impact craters demonstrate that this freeze-thaw environment is, at least in Heimdal crater, less than a few million years old. Although the current martian climate does not favour prolonged thaw of water ice, observations of possible liquid droplets on the strut of the Phoenix Lander may imply significant freezing point depression of liquids sourced in the regolith, probably driven by the presence of perchlorates in the soil. Because perchlorates have eutectic temperatures below 240 K and can remain liquid at temperatures far below the freezing point of water we speculate that freeze-thaw involving perchlorate brines provides an alternative “low-temperature” hypothesis to the freeze-thaw of more pure water ice and might drive significant geomorphological work in some areas of Mars. Considering the proximity of Heimdal crater to the Phoenix Landing Site, the presence of such hydrated minerals might therefore explain the landforms described here. If this is the case then the geographical distribution of martian freeze-thaw landforms might reflect relatively high temperatures (but still below 273 K) and the locally elevated concentration of salts in the regolith.     

An experimental study of Hapke’s modeling of natural granular surface samples

A series of natural granular surfaces composed of volcanic samples that widely vary in grain sizes (from the micron-scale to the millimeter-scale), shapes, surface aspects, origins, and including glass and minerals, has been measured in the visible domain with the spectro-imaging device ISEP (Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées, Toulouse, France) and inverted by photometric modeling. The experimental protocol makes use of a specific set of multiangular configurations (on the order of a few tens) with sufficient angular diversity and coverage of the bidirectional space to resolve differences in particle phase function behavior and surface texture. This restrained set delivers comparable results in terms of photometric parameters to those produced with a dense set of hundreds of measurements. The considered samples in this work have been chosen to assess the influence of varied physical properties on light scattering behavior. The following specific photometric trends are found. Samples comprising fresh glass or monocrystals in a proportion on the order of 30% or more (from binocular magnifying glass inspection) are extremely forward scattering with narrow scattering lobes, and the larger the particles, the narrower the scattering lobe; also, round particles tend to be more backscattering than irregularly-shaped ones of similar texture, and the presence of voids within particles tends to increase the backscattering character of the sample. Particles with broad scattering lobes (phase function asymmetry parameter b ? 0.5) display relatively large modeled surface macroscopic roughness values (15-25°), while particles with narrow scattering lobes (b ? 0.5) show smaller modeled surface macroscopic roughness (between 15° and ∼3°).The comparison between the present results for the scattering parameters b and c, and those obtained in previous studies from artificial particles shows a similar trend and general agreement although some discrepancies were observed. The granular surface samples analyzed in the present study that contain a high proportion of isolated translucent monocrystals and/or fresh glass appear extremely forward-scattering and clearly chart a new part of the c vs. b trend. This is further supported by recent similar findings for martian in situ data and lunar regolith simulants. These results should help to better interpret present and future orbital and landed photometric data from bodies’ surfaces such as the Moon’s, Mars’, Vesta’s or Mercury’s regolith.     

Laboratory simulations of Mars aqueous geochemistry

We report on laboratory experiments in which we allowed an SNC-derived mineral mix to react with pure water under a simulated Mars atmosphere for 7 months. These experiments were performed at one bar and at three different temperatures in order to simulate the subsurface conditions that most likely exist where liquid water and rock interact on Mars today. The dominant cations dissolved in the solutions we produced, which may be characterized as dilute brines, are Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Al³⁺, and Na⁺, while the major anions are dissolved C, F⁻, SO²⁻₄ and Cl⁻. Typical solution pH was in the range of 4.2-6.0. Abundance patterns of elements in our synthetic sulfate-chloride brines are distinctly unlike those of terrestrial ocean water or continental waters, however, they are quite similar to those measured in the martian fines at the Mars Pathfinder and Viking 1 and 2 Landing sites. This suggests that salts present in the martian regolith may have formed over time as a result of the interaction of surface or subsurface liquid water with basalts in the presence of a martian atmosphere similar in composition to that of today. If most of the mobile surface layer was formed during the Noachian when erosion rates were much higher than at present, and if this layer is homogeneous in salt composition, the total amount of salt in the martian fines is approximately the same as in the Earth's oceans. The minimum quantity of circulating water necessary to deposit this amount of salt is approximately equivalent to a global layer 625 m deep.     

A model of interaction of Phobos’ surface with the martian environment

We simulate space weathering of Phobos’ surface due to both sputtering by solar wind ions (H⁺ and He²⁺) and planetary protons, and surface material vaporization by micrometeoroids impact. Assuming an Iron-rich composition of Phobos’ regolith, we find that densities of neutral species (Fe, O, Al, Ca, Mg, Na) in the martian environment are in the range (10⁻⁴-10⁻¹ cm⁻³), and observe an ejecta disk with a radius of 6 martian radii in the equatorial plane and a thickness of 3 martian radii in the perpendicular plane. In order to determine the observability of such species from space based instruments, we also estimate their solar scattering emission line intensities. We conclude that Magnesium would be the only potential candidate suitable for spectral detection.     

Monte-Carlo simulations of atmospheric muon production: Implication of the past martian environment

In order to evaluate the obliquity-driven atmospheric-density path length effect on nuclide production rate on Mars, we performed a Monte-Carlo simulation to produce the number of secondary particles such as muons, neutrons and protons in the martian atmosphere and to simulate that production of ¹⁰Be and ³⁶Cl in the martian regolith by muons and neutrons depends on how much atmosphere had been present for the past 10 million years. The vertical profile of the present martian atmosphere to generate secondary particles has been determined based on the data provided by the Viking missions. For other thickness profiles, we scaled Linsley's atmospheric model. Atmospheric shower has been generated with the SIBYLL 2.1 for high-energy hadronic interactions and EHSA for low energy photonuclear interactions. With increasing atmospheric thickness, more primary interactions occur in the atmosphere. Consequently the proton flux is reduced and the secondary cosmic ray flux, such as muons or energetic neutrons increases at surface. The result indicates that the muon production is more sensitive to obliquity-driven atmospheric variations than proton reduction. A thicker atmosphere would result in enhanced nuclide production at a place deeper than 5 m below the surface and the nuclides present in detectable concentrations. Application to the polar deposit is described.     

Laboratory characterization of the structural properties controlling dynamical gas transport in Mars-analog soils

Dynamical transport of gases within the martian regolith controls many climatic processes, and is particularly important in the deposition and/or mobilization of shallow ground ice, as well as exchange of other volatiles between the martian regolith and atmosphere. A variety of theoretical studies have addressed issues related to ground ice dynamics on Mars and in the terrestrial analog environment of the Antarctic Dry Valleys. These theoretical studies have drawn on a limited set of empirical measurements to constrain the structural parameters controlling gas diffusion and flow in soils. Here, we investigate five groups of Mars-analog soils: glass spheres, JSC Mars-1, aeolian dune sand, Antarctic Dry Valley soils, and arctic loess. We present laboratory measurements of the structural properties most relevant to gas transport in these soils: porosity, tortuosity, permeability, bulk and intrinsic densities, grain-size distribution, pore-size distribution and BET surface area. Our results bear directly both on the appropriateness of assumptions made in theoretical studies and on current outstanding issues in the study of shallow ground ice on Mars and in the Dry Valleys. Specifically, we find that (1) measured values of tortuosity are lower than values commonly assumed for Mars by a factor of two to three; (2) diffusive loss of ground ice on Mars can likely proceed up to four times faster than predicted by theoretical studies; (3) soil permeabilities are sufficiently high that flushing of the soil column by bulk flow of atmospheric gases may further speed loss or deposition of shallow ground ice; (4) the pore volume in some Mars-analog soils is sufficiently high to explain high volumetric ice abundances inferred from Mars Odyssey Gamma Ray Spectrometer data as simple pore ice; and (5) measured properties of soils collected in Beacon Valley, Antarctica agree well with assumptions made in theoretical studies and are consistent with rapid loss of ground ice in the current climate.     

Progress towards robotic in-situ dating of martian sediments using optically stimulated luminescence

Recent exploratory efforts to reveal the evolution and the climatic history of Mars have shown that the planet is still active. The surface of Mars has been, and continues to be, shaped by fluvial, eolian and glacial processes. The timeframe of these events is, however, poorly established. We describe efforts and challenges to adapt optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating for robotic in-situ dating of martian sediments. Mineral mixtures were devised as simulants of martian regolith. The single-aliquot regeneration (SAR) procedure was modified to enable the determination of the equivalent dose for polymineral samples. Low-temperature measurements and simulations indicate that known doses delivered at low temperatures can be effectively estimated as long as the stimulation temperature is greater than the highest temperature experienced during the initial irradiation. Bleaching experiments with a solar simulator suggest efficient zeroing of the OSL signal for solar-exposed sediments on Mars. Irradiations with proton and heavy-charged particles show a lower efficiency in luminescence production than that found for beta and gamma radiation.     

Small-scale trench in the north polar region of Mars: Evolution of surface frost and ground ice concentration

In this paper we attempt to answer the question, how formation of a small-scale trench in the martian regolith affects local distribution of the subsurface ice. We are especially interested in the consequences of digging a trench to search for buried ice, as has been done during the Phoenix Mars Lander mission. However, the results may be also applicable for natural troughs, or cracks. We present results of simulations of diurnal exchange of water between the regolith and the atmosphere. Our model includes the heat and vapor migration in the regolith surrounding the trench, as well as formation of diurnal frost. We take into account scattering of light in the atmosphere and on the trench facets, as well as changes of atmospheric humidity on diurnal and seasonal time scales. Our calculations show, that the measurements of ice content in a sample obtained within one, or two days from the beginning of digging should not be affected. However, on somewhat longer time scale at the south facing site of the trench the regolith can be significantly depleted from ice. This effect should be taken into account if the excavation and taking samples from different depths will be performed in stages separated in time by a month, or more.     

The cool surfaces of binary near-Earth asteroids

Here we show results from thermal-infrared observations of km-sized binary near-Earth asteroids (NEAs). We combine previously published thermal properties for NEAs with newly derived values for three binary NEAs. The η value derived from the near-Earth asteroid thermal model (NEATM) for each object is then used to estimate an average thermal inertia for the population of binary NEAs and compared against similar estimates for the population of non-binaries. We find that these objects have, in general, surface temperatures cooler than the average values for non-binary NEAs as suggested by elevated η values. We discuss how this may be evidence of higher-than-average surface thermal inertia. This latter physical parameter is a sensitive indicator of the presence or absence of regolith: bodies covered with fine regolith, such as the Earth’s moon, have low thermal inertia, whereas a surface with little or no regolith displays high thermal inertia. Our results are suggestive of a binary formation mechanism capable of altering surface properties, possibly removing regolith: an obvious candidate is the YORP effect.We present also newly determined sizes and geometric visible albedos derived from thermal-infrared observations of three binary NEAs: (5381) Sekhmet, (153591) 2001 SN₂₆₃, and (164121) 2003 YT₁. The diameters of these asteroids are 1.41 ± 0.21 km, 1.56 ± 0.31 km, and 2.63 ± 0.40 km, respectively. Their albedos are 0.23 ± 0.13, 0.24 ± 0.16, and 0.048 ± 0.015, respectively.