Turbulence in the Lower Atmosphere of Mars Enhanced by Transported Dust Particles

Abstract

A recent article by Wu et al. (2021, https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JE006752) reports unprecedented turbulence-resolving numerical simulations for Mars, in which the radiative impact of suspended dust particles transported in convective circulations is resolved for the first time. Those simulations demonstrate that in certain conditions, a dustier Martian atmosphere may result in stronger turbulence and mixing in Mars' planetary boundary layer, as a result of the inhomogeneity in the distribution of dust particles being reinforced by turbulent convective cells. This effect competes with what was hitherto thought to dominate in a dustier atmosphere, that is, a turbulence weakening related to surface shading by suspended dust particles. Wu et al. (2021 https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JE006752)'s work has many implications for future studies of Mars' meteorology and climatology.