Unlocking the Secrets of Mars: Clays That Hold the Planet’s Forgotten Atmosphere

While liquid water existed on Mars, they propose that it could have seeped through certain rock formations triggering a gradual series of reactions that slowly extracted carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, transforming it into methane—a carbon variant that might be encapsulated in the clay for millennia. 

The scientists applied their expertise regarding gas-rock interactions on Earth to explore how analogous processes could occur on Mars. They discovered that the expanse of clay on the Martian terrain could sequester up to 1.7 bar of CO₂, which parallels approximately 80% of the planet’s primordial atmosphere. “In certain respects, the lost atmosphere of Mars might be concealed in plain view,” remarks Murray.

The researchers believe it could be feasible to recover this sequestered carbon and convert it into fuel for future voyages between Mars and Earth.