May the continuous trapping of atmospheric water on the permanent South polar cap affect the global atmospheric D/H ratio on Mars?

International audienceIt is generally admitted that thermal escape is the only process responsible for hydrogen isotopic fractionation in Mars atmosphere (enrichment by a factor of 5.5 relative to SMOW value). The aim of the present paper is to show that thermodynamic processes (condensation/ sublimation) may potentially play a significant role in fractionating atmospheric H2O. The cycle of Martian H2O is complex. During northern summer, the North permanent water ice cap is assumed to release a few precipitable microns (pr. μ m), globally averaged, to the atmosphere. Part of this water vapor finally returns to North cap during northern winter, whereas a small fraction (