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Mass independent oxygen isotopic composition of atmospheric sulfate: Origin and implications for the present and past atmosphere of Earth and Mars
Author(s) -
Lee Charles C.W.,
Savarino Joel,
Thiemens Mark H.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2000gl011826
Subject(s) - atmosphere (unit) , mars exploration program , atmospheric oxygen , sulfate , astrobiology , atmosphere of mars , atmospheric composition , sulfate aerosol , atmospheric chemistry , atmospheric sciences , aerosol , earth (classical element) , atmospheric physics , environmental science , oxygen , chemistry , geology , physics , meteorology , ozone , martian , organic chemistry , mathematical physics
It is reported that atmospheric (aerosol and rainwater) sulfate possesses a mass independent isotopic composition, with excess 17 O. Laboratory experiments indicate that the oxidants, H 2 O 2 and O 3 , are the source of anomalous 17 O enrichments in atmospheric sulfate via aqueous phase S(IV) oxidation. The discovery of the oxygen anomaly in atmospheric sulfate, with definition of its origin, provides a new way to investigate atmospheric and general planetary processes. The observations provide new insight into atmospheric chemistry with application in studies of the evolution of the atmosphere, and surface‐atmosphere interactions, both on Earth and Mars.