Detection of Methane in the Atmosphere of Mars

Abstract

We report a detection of methane in the martian atmosphere by the Planetary Fourier Spectrometer onboard the Mars Express spacecraft. The global average methane mixing ratio is found to be 10 +/- 5 parts per billion by volume (ppbv). However, the mixing ratio varies between 0 and 30 ppbv over the planet. The source of methane could be either biogenic or nonbiogenic, including past or present subsurface microorganisms, hydrothermal activity, or cometary impacts.

Description of light ion production cross sections and fluxes on the Mars surface using the QMSFRG model

“…The Mars atmosphere is largely CO 2 , however contains a small amount of other constituents [19][20][21]. It is also of interest for improved understanding of the possible history of life on Mars to consider the evolution and possible changes of the Martian atmosphere and their impact on radiation effects for possible life in the past.…”

Special Issue: Abstracts From the 2008 Issol Meeting

“…Aerogels are ready for production in Japan. All the analytical techniques are (Formisano et al, 2004;Krasnopolsky et al, 2004) have fueled the possibility of extant or extinct life on Mars. One possible explanation for the methane in the Martian atmosphere would be the presence of methanogens in the subsurface.…”

A hollow-waveguide gas correlation radiometer for ultra-precise column measurements of formaldehyde on Mars

“…One of the most interesting questions about Mars is the source of trace amounts of methane (CH4) in the atmosphere -and whether these originate from geological sources such as gas seeps, active volcanism and serpentization reactions (associated with ancient olivine-bearing crustal rocks), or from the presence of extant life [1][2][3].…”

“…CH4 -g4 CH, -2-> CH2O OH HOZ 02 CH 2OH -v > CH2O (2) At altitudes below 80 km, methane is oxidized by OH to form CH3, which then reacts with either O to form formaldehyde directly or via reactions with OH or HO 2 [8].…”