| Global warming and climate forcing by recent albedo changes on Mars. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 17410170 Owner: NLM Status: PubMed-not-MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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For hundreds of years, scientists have tracked the changing appearance of Mars, first by hand drawings and later by photographs. Because of this historical record, many classical albedo patterns have long been known to shift in appearance over time. Decadal variations of the martian surface albedo are generally attributed to removal and deposition of small amounts of relatively bright dust on the surface. Large swaths of the surface (up to 56 million km2) have been observed to darken or brighten by 10 per cent or more. It is unknown, however, how these albedo changes affect wind circulation, dust transport and the feedback between these processes and the martian climate. Here we present predictions from a Mars general circulation model, indicating that the observed interannual albedo alterations strongly influence the martian environment. Results indicate enhanced wind stress in recently darkened areas and decreased wind stress in brightened areas, producing a positive feedback system in which the albedo changes strengthen the winds that generate the changes. The simulations also predict a net annual global warming of surface air temperatures by approximately 0.65 K, enhancing dust lifting by increasing the likelihood of dust devil generation. The increase in global dust lifting by both wind stress and dust devils may affect the mechanisms that trigger large dust storm initiation, a poorly understood phenomenon, unique to Mars. In addition, predicted increases in summertime air temperatures at high southern latitudes would contribute to the rapid and steady scarp retreat that has been observed in the south polar residual ice for the past four Mars years. Our results suggest that documented albedo changes affect recent climate change and large-scale weather patterns on Mars, and thus albedo variations are a necessary component of future atmospheric and climate studies. |
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Authors:
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Lori K Fenton; Paul E Geissler; Robert M Haberle |
Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Nature Volume: 446 ISSN: 1476-4687 ISO Abbreviation: Nature Publication Date: 2007 Apr |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2007-04-05 Completed Date: 2007-04-25 Revised Date: 2007-05-14 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 0410462 Medline TA: Nature Country: England |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 646-9 Citation Subset: - |
Affiliation:
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Carl Sagan Center, California 94035, USA. |
Export Citation:
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Descriptor/Qualifier:
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| Comments/Corrections | |
Erratum In:
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Nature. 2007 Apr 19;446(7138):934 Nature. 2007 Apr 5;446(7136):1p following 690 |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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