Physics

Geology

Mathematics

Deuterium

Altitude (triangle)

Atmospheric sciences

Astronomy

Isotopologue

Geometry

Martian

Polar

Spectral line

Quantum mechanics

Environmental science

Atmosphere of Mars

Mars Exploration Program

Astrobiology

Geophysical Research Letters

We report vertical profiles of water and D/H for one Martian year as measured with the TGO/NOMAD instrument. The observations were performed via solar occultation, providing water profiles up to ∼100 km and D/H up to ∼60 km, with a vertical resolution of 1–2 km. The measurements reveal dramatic variability of water and D/H over short timescales and with altitude and location on the planet. We investigated the release of seasonal water from the polar caps during southern and northern summer, by mapping water and its D/H near the polar regions. Above the hygropause, the D/H drops substantially below 2 VSMOW, and both seasonal polar caps show a consistent and enriched D/H of 5–7 VSMOW within the hygrosphere.

The Deuterium Isotopic Ratio of Water Released From the Martian Caps as Measured With TGO/NOMAD