Barometric Pumping Through Fractured Rock: A Mechanism for Venting Deep Methane to Mars' Atmosphere

Ortiz, J. P.; Rajaram, H.; Stauffer, P. H.; Harp, D. R.; Wiens, R. C.; Lewis, K. W.

doi:10.1029/2022GL098946

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Title: Barometric Pumping Through Fractured Rock: A Mechanism for Venting Deep Methane to Mars' Atmosphere

Journal Article · 19 July 2022 · Geophysical Research Letters

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1029/2022GL098946 · OSTI ID:1876932

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Computational Earth Science Los Alamos National Laboratory Los Alamos NM USA, Department of Environmental Health and Engineering The Johns Hopkins University Baltimore MD USA
Department of Environmental Health and Engineering The Johns Hopkins University Baltimore MD USA
Computational Earth Science Los Alamos National Laboratory Los Alamos NM USA
Computational Earth Science Los Alamos National Laboratory Los Alamos NM USA, Now at Science and Analytics Team The Freshwater Trust Portland OR USA
Space and Remote Sensing Los Alamos National Laboratory Los Alamos NM USA, Now at Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences Purdue University West Lafayette IN USA
Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences The Johns Hopkins University Baltimore MD USA

Abstract Both the source of methane on Mars and the mechanism for transmission from the subsurface to the atmosphere are not fully understood. Previous seepage simulations have invoked relatively shallow subsurface sources to explain observed methane signatures on Mars. We propose that barometric‐pressure pumping through fracture networks could be an effective mechanism for methane transport from the deep subsurface on Mars. Using atmospheric pressure data gathered by Curiosity as input, we simulate methane gas transport from depths of 200 m to the surface. Even with such a deep source, our model reproduces the observed seasonality of methane, and the simulated surface methane fluxes fall within the range of previous estimates derived from atmospheric observations. Because 200 m is the likely minimum hospitable depth for living methanogenic microbes, our fracture network model indirectly reinvigorates the possibility of a microbial source of methane on Mars.

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Research Organization:: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE; USDOE Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Program; USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)

Grant/Contract Number:: 89233218CNA000001

OSTI ID:: 1876932

Report Number(s):: LA-UR-22-20869; e2022GL098946

Journal Information:: Geophysical Research Letters, Journal Name: Geophysical Research Letters Journal Issue: 14 Vol. 49; ISSN 0094-8276

Publisher:: American Geophysical Union (AGU)Copyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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58 GEOSCIENCES
Mars
barometric pumping
fractured rock
gas transport
methane
modeling

Title: Barometric Pumping Through Fractured Rock: A Mechanism for Venting Deep Methane to Mars' Atmosphere

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