The three types of liquid water in the surface of present Mars

Abstract

AbstractThermodynamics teaches that pure liquid bulk water cannot stably exist on the surface of Mars. However, it is shown by thermodynamic arguments that liquid water can exist, at least temporarily, in the upper surface of Mars, in form of: (a) undercooled liquid interfacial water (ULI water); (b) undercooled liquid water in cryo-brines; and (c) liquid bulk water (due to solid-state greenhouse subsurface melting) in the subsurface of ice areas, which are covered by a lid of solid ice only. The presence of these forms of liquid water on present Mars is discussed in detail and in view of the possible consequences for physical, chemical and eventual biological processes.