The role of photochemical processes in evolution of the isotopic composition of the atmosphere of Titan |
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Authors: | A A Berezhnoi |
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Institution: | 1.Sternberg State Astronomical Institute,Moscow State University,Moscow,Russia |
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Abstract: | Molecular nitrogen, the main component of the modern atmosphere of Titan, may have formed without significant changes in the
nitrogen and hydrogen isotopic composition from the clathrate hydrate of ammonia NH3 · H2OSLD, which is the main accreted form of nitrogen. The most preferable transformation mechanism of NH3 · H2OSLD into atmospheric N2 is its thermal decomposition in the interior of Titan rather than the photochemical decomposition of ammonia in the upper
atmosphere of early Titan. The photolysis of ammonia does not lead to a change in the isotopic composition of nitrogen, as
all the nitrogen remains in Titan’s atmosphere. The photolysis of NH does not lead to a change in the isotopic composition
of nitrogen in Titan’s atmosphere. Fractionation of hydrogen and nitrogen isotopes during the impacts of comets with Titan
does not seem to be significant either. It will be possible to determine the dissociative fractionation factor, the original
ratio 14N/15N, and the mass of Titan’s original atmosphere when fractionation of nitrogen isotopes in Titan’s atmosphere is examined in
additional theoretical and experimental studies that take into account processes occurring during the formation of a system
of Saturn’s satellites. |
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