Theoretical predictions of deuterium abundances in the Jovian planets

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 UTC 1980 · Icarus; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0019-1035(80)90136-0· OSTI ID:5422887

Hubbard, W B; MacFarlane, J J

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.

• Research Organization: Arizona, University, Tucson, AZ
• DOE Contract Number: NONE
• OSTI ID: 5422887
• Journal Information: Icarus; (United States), Journal Name: Icarus; (United States) Vol. 44; ISSN ICRSA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640107* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Planetary Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ABUNDANCE
ALKANES
AMMONIA
DEUTERIUM
ELEMENTS
HYDRIDES
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROGEN
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROGEN ISOTOPES
ISOTOPE RATIO
ISOTOPES
JUPITER PLANET
LIGHT NUCLEI
METHANE
NEPTUNE PLANET
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN HYDRIDES
NONMETALS
NUCLEI
ODD-ODD NUCLEI
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PLANETARY EVOLUTION
PLANETS
SATURN PLANET
SOLAR SYSTEM EVOLUTION
STABLE ISOTOPES
URANUS PLANET
WATER