Abstract
Solid-vapor phase equilibria describe the volatile ices on Pluto’s
surface (Tan & Kargel 2018, MNRAS 474, 4254). A simple model of the
atmosphere with three components
N2/CH4/CO may have solved the
long-standing puzzle of the existence of CH4-rich ice in
addition to the expected N2-rich ice. An isobaric
treatment using CRYOCHEM equation of state naturally results in one
solid phase of either ice, which is in equilibrium with the atmosphere,
depending on the local temperature variations of Pluto’s surface.
CH4-rich ice forms at higher temperatures, while
N2-rich ice forms at lower temperatures. A temperature
also exists on Pluto where three phases coexist, including vapor in
equilibrium with two ices, and where the ices can switch from one type
to the other upon cooling or warming. Our model relies on fundamental
physics-based thermodynamics, and it explains New Horizons observations
of the distributions of these ices, as presented by Bertrand et al.
(Nat. Commun. 2020, 11, 1), without invoking a vertically distributed
atmospheric CH4 that has not been verified with
observation. As observed by New Horizons, Pluto’s surface has valley
networks and channels, perhaps resulting from either fluvial (Moore et
al. 2016, Science 351, 1284) or glacial (Howard et al. 2017, Icarus 287,
287; Umurhan et al. 2017, Icarus 287, 301) mechanisms, or both, at the
present or in the past. Considering the present freezing condition on
the surface, if the mechanisms are still in action, they must occur
under the surface. Therefore, it is of great interest to know the phase
equilibria involving the ices and liquid at conditions that may exist
underground. Similar to the treatment of the surface ices, this work
also applies CRYOCHEM to describe the phase equilibria that progress
through depth as the temperature and pressure increase. The fate of the
ices can be determined by examining the resulting phase diagrams at
conditions at different depths, specifically the appearance of a liquid
phase.