A hybrid origin for the Martian atmosphere

Abstract

The Martian isotopic record displays a dichotomy in volatile compositions. Interior volatiles from the mantle record a chondritic heritage (e.g., H, N, Kr, Xe) whereas the atmospheric reservoir of Kr and Xe - which do not currently experience escape - record heritage from a solar-like source. Motivated by disparate inferences on the source of Martian atmospheric volatiles (outgassed versus nebular captured), we consider hybrid-source accretionary atmospheres in which a high molecular weight (e.g., CO2-rich) outgassed component is mixed in with the low molecular weight H2-rich nebular atmosphere. We conduct calculations of nebular capture with and without a high molecular weight outgassed component mixed into the atmosphere during the lifetime of the solar nebula. Mixing an outgassed component into the nebular layer enhances the captured gas inventory by 1-3 orders of magnitude - depending on the outgassed inventory - relative to "pure" nebular capture. These observations and calculations suggest that the Martian atmosphere arose as a subequal mixture of outgassed and nebular-derived components, and provide a framework for assessing the role of various mechanisms of gas loss over the entire history of the planet.