skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Theoretical predictions of deuterium abundances in the Jovian planets

Abstract

Current concepts for the origin of the Jovian planets and current constraints on their interior structure are used to support the argument that the presence of large amounts of 'ice' (H2O, CH4, and NH3) in Uranus and Neptune indicates temperature low enough to condense these species at the time Uranus and Neptune formed. Such low temperatures, however, imply orders-of-magnitude fractionation effects for deuterium into the 'ice' component if isotopic equilibration can occur. The present models thus imply that Uranus and Neptune should have D/H ratio at least four times primordial, contrary to observation for Uranus. It is found that the Jovian and Saturnian D/H should be close to primordial regardless of formation scenario.

Authors:
;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Arizona, University, Tucson, AZ
OSTI Identifier:
5422887
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Icarus; (United States)
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 44
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSICS; DEUTERIUM; ABUNDANCE; JUPITER PLANET; ISOTOPE RATIO; NEPTUNE PLANET; SATURN PLANET; URANUS PLANET; AMMONIA; HYDROGEN; METHANE; PLANETARY EVOLUTION; WATER; ALKANES; ELEMENTS; HYDRIDES; HYDROCARBONS; HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS; HYDROGEN ISOTOPES; ISOTOPES; LIGHT NUCLEI; NITROGEN COMPOUNDS; NITROGEN HYDRIDES; NONMETALS; NUCLEI; ODD-ODD NUCLEI; ORGANIC COMPOUNDS; OXYGEN COMPOUNDS; PLANETS; SOLAR SYSTEM EVOLUTION; STABLE ISOTOPES; 640107* - Astrophysics & Cosmology- Planetary Phenomena

Citation Formats

Hubbard, W B, and MacFarlane, J J. Theoretical predictions of deuterium abundances in the Jovian planets. United States: N. p., 1980. Web. doi:10.1016/0019-1035(80)90136-0.
Hubbard, W B, & MacFarlane, J J. Theoretical predictions of deuterium abundances in the Jovian planets. United States. https://doi.org/10.1016/0019-1035(80)90136-0
Hubbard, W B, and MacFarlane, J J. 1980. "Theoretical predictions of deuterium abundances in the Jovian planets". United States. https://doi.org/10.1016/0019-1035(80)90136-0.
@article{osti_5422887,
title = {Theoretical predictions of deuterium abundances in the Jovian planets},
author = {Hubbard, W B and MacFarlane, J J},
abstractNote = {Current concepts for the origin of the Jovian planets and current constraints on their interior structure are used to support the argument that the presence of large amounts of 'ice' (H2O, CH4, and NH3) in Uranus and Neptune indicates temperature low enough to condense these species at the time Uranus and Neptune formed. Such low temperatures, however, imply orders-of-magnitude fractionation effects for deuterium into the 'ice' component if isotopic equilibration can occur. The present models thus imply that Uranus and Neptune should have D/H ratio at least four times primordial, contrary to observation for Uranus. It is found that the Jovian and Saturnian D/H should be close to primordial regardless of formation scenario.},
doi = {10.1016/0019-1035(80)90136-0},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/5422887}, journal = {Icarus; (United States)},
number = ,
volume = 44,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1980},
month = {Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1980}
}