Atmospheric dynamics of IR-active particles released from Mars' surface

Mark I. Richardson; Samaneh Ansari; Bowen Fan; Ramses Ramirez; Hooman Mohseni; Michael A. Mischna; Michael H. Hecht; Liam J. Steele; Felix Sharipov; Edwin S. Kite

arXiv · 2504.01455

Atmospheric dynamics of IR-active particles released from Mars' surface

Mark I. Richardson·Samaneh Ansari·Bowen Fan·Ramses Ramirez·Hooman Mohseni·Michael A. Mischna·Michael H. Hecht·Liam J. Steele·Felix Sharipov·Edwin S. Kite

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Abstract

Surface release of radiatively active particles, with high infrared- (IR-)to-visible extinction ratios, has been proposed as a method of warming Mars. However, to warm Mars using aerosols, particles released locally must disperse globally. Here we provide an initial reference study in a plume tracking, dry Martian atmospheric model to address this question. The winds that transport aerosols respond to the aerosol's IR forcing, implying strong radiative-dynamical feedbacks (RDF). We investigate RDF from surface release of two particle compositions: carbon (graphene) and metal (Al). Self-lofting helps particles rise and spread locally and regionally, and the Hadley cell strengthens under warming, aiding latitudinal mixing. Within our model, Mars RDF enable engineered-aerosol warming. Warming is slightly greater for three-dimensional vs. 1D-models and also depends on spectral resolution of radiative transfer. We assess implications for Mars warming. Many open atmospheric science questions remain, including the role of agglomeration, dry-deposition rate uncertainty, and modeling water cycle feedbacks.

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Mark I. Richardson, Samaneh Ansari, Bowen Fan, Ramses Ramirez, Hooman Mohseni, Michael A. Mischna, Michael H. Hecht, Liam J. Steele, Felix Sharipov, Edwin S. Kite. 2025-04-02. Atmospheric dynamics of IR-active particles released from Mars' surface. https://arxiv.org/abs/2504.01455

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