Scientists have discovered the cause of the disappearance of water on Mars

As a result of the researchers’ use of the new isotopic research method, the Martian rocks had more turbulent elements than before, but lost them over time.

The processes of the National Academy of Sciences, using computational methods, found that the loss of turbulent components is directly related to the size of the planet. And Mars, which is smaller than Earth, has not been able to retain water for a very long time, so there are no suitable conditions for the development of complex life forms.

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It appears from remote sensing studies and analysis of Mars meteorites conducted in the eighties of the last century that Mars was previously as waterlogged as Earth. Satellite instruments on the planet’s surface have captured spectacular images of a vast lagoon, arid river valleys and flood channels.

In light of these studies and images, researchers have proposed several hypotheses as to the reason for the disappearance of water on the planet. But scientists at the University of Washington in St. Louis, along with colleagues from Britain and Switzerland, believe the main reason is that Mars is a small planet that cannot withstand large amounts of water.

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The researchers used various planetary bodies and 20 Martian meteorites to assess the presence, regulation and distribution of turbulent elements associated with geochemical cycles with turbulent compounds including stable isotopes of potassium and water.

The results showed that Mars, during its formation phase, lost more potassium and other volatile elements than Earth, but less than the Moon or asteroid Vesta. The researchers found a direct relationship between body size and the isotopic composition of potassium.

According to the researchers, these findings are very important in the search for life on other planets.

“There is a finite planetary size that allows it to retain enough water to create a habitable surface environment,” said Klaus Mesker, a researcher at the Geological Institute at the University of Bern. “So these results will help astronomers. Look for extraterrestrials that could live on other planetary systems.”

Source: RIA Novosti

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