Measurement of Photochemical Haze Refractive Indices and Hygroscopicity: Influence of CO2 in CH4/H2S/N2 Mixtures

Atmospheric organic hazes are widespread across various planetary bodies and have significant effects on both the surface and atmosphere. In this study, we investigate the optical and hygroscopic properties of organic hazes formed through photochemical processes.

The hazes were generated from the irradiation of mixtures that contained molecular nitrogen (N₂), methane (CH₄), hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), and varying amounts of carbon dioxide (CO₂) to mimic early Earth-like conditions. In the absence of CO₂, the photochemical haze absorbed radiation at 405 nm.

In contrast, the incorporation of CO₂ into the precursor gas mixtures resulted in hazes with reduced absorption at 405 nm. This decrease in absorption was due to the formation of non-absorbing inorganic salts and/or a change in organic composition; however, the exact composition is not fully known.

Further, we observed that these hazes exhibited varying tendencies to uptake water, with non-CO₂ hazes showing no water uptake, while CO₂ hazes could absorb water and increase in size.

Consequently, under humid conditions, the increased size of the haze enhanced its ability to scatter light and would thus promote cooling of a planetary atmosphere. Both the change in refractive indices and the increased hygroscopicity would contribute to greater cooling effects with higher CO₂ levels.

In addition, the ability of the haze to uptake water would facilitate the particles acting as cloud condensation nuclei, potentially leading to the wet deposition of nutrients to a planet’s surface that could help facilitate the emergence of life.

Measurement of Photochemical Haze Refractive Indices and Hygroscopicity: Influence of CO2 in CH4/H2S/N2 Mixtures, Astrobiology via PubMed

Astrobiology,