Observations of Effects of Global Dust Storms on Water Vapor in the
Southern Polar Region of Mars.
Abstract
Martian Global Dust Storms (GDS) can significantly affect the water
cycle in the lower atmosphere (0-40 km). We compare the evolution of
water vapor abundances, dust opacity and surface temperatures in the
Southern Polar Region (SPR) during GDS years of MY25, MY28 and MY34
relative to years without GDS. During all GDS years, the vapor
abundances decrease in the lower atmosphere in the SPR following the
storm. Our results suggest that this decrease could be the result of
vapor moving to higher altitudes and not being available for poleward
transport in the lower atmosphere.