CO2 in the atmosphere of Mars depleted in 13C

Abstract

We present here vertically resolved measurements of the carbon isotopic composition of CO2 in the Martian atmosphere between the surface and 50 km of altitude. The results are based on data taken by the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter with the NOMAD instrument and have been aggregated to derive an average vertical profile of 13C/12C. We find no seasonal or spatial trends with variabilities beyond the sensitivity of the measurements. For the analysis, we developed a method that allows us to estimate whether the observed variability of isotopic measurements is beyond their intrinsic accuracy, by exploiting ab-initio spectroscopy and the radiometric noise of the instrument. Applying this method to our data, we find that atmospheric CO2 is depleted in 13C compared to the Earth standard by 30‰ to 45‰, in line with previous ground-based measurements values of the atmosphere and in contrast with the average value obtained by Curiosity at the surface (46 ± 4‰). These differences in isotopic signatures of CO2 as measured across the atmosphere and near-surface pose new questions when inferring the evolution and history of carbon on Mars, and suggest that processes such as a strong atmosphere-surface interactions may be fractionating the carbon reservoirs on the planet.