Dissociation of CO2 in the Martian Atmosphere

Abstract

Detailed calculations are presented for the production of O and CO in the Martian atmosphere. The diffusion equations are solved and results compared with Mariner observations of O and CO in the upper Marian atmosphere. An eddy diffusion coefficient of 5 ? 108 cm2 sec?1 is required to account for these observations. Transport alone cannot explain the small abundances of CO and O2 in the lower atmosphere of Mars and chemical schemes suggested earlier encounter various difficulties.