Nitrogen - Revision history

RichardWSmith: Formatting and more changes. Nitrogen gas is fairly inert.

2024-10-17T21:37:48Z

Formatting and more changes. Nitrogen gas is fairly inert.

RichardWSmith: Changing introduction. test

2024-10-17T21:33:43Z

Changing introduction. test

Michel Lamontagne: /* Storage */

2023-10-03T13:42:39Z

Storage

RichardWSmith: Added link

2022-05-26T15:49:00Z

Added link

RichardWSmith: Added reference, and noted that higher concentrations were found in Gale Crater by Curiosity.

2022-05-12T19:44:12Z

Added reference, and noted that higher concentrations were found in Gale Crater by Curiosity.

RichardWSmith: Discussion of typical nitrate deposits in Martian Soil.

2022-05-12T19:21:47Z

Discussion of typical nitrate deposits in Martian Soil.

RichardWSmith: Trying to manually put in edit. Visual editor not working for me.

2021-10-21T02:32:44Z

Trying to manually put in edit. Visual editor not working for me.

RichardWSmith: Nitrogen detected in soil by Curiosity - important paper.

2021-10-21T02:31:49Z

Nitrogen detected in soil by Curiosity - important paper.

RichardWSmith: Added a bit, and reorganized page.

2021-06-05T22:01:58Z

Added a bit, and reorganized page.

RichardWSmith: Discussed how nitrate deposits may determine settlement locations & added link.

2021-06-05T15:09:53Z

Discussed how nitrate deposits may determine settlement locations & added link.

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 {{element|elementName=Nitrogen|elementSymbol=N|protons=7|abundance=2.7%}}
-Nitrogen is a colourless and odourless gas, and makes up most of our air.  The most common Isotope has 7 neutrons for an average atomic mass of 14.
+'''Nitrogen''' (''[[Elements on Mars|periodic table]]: N, molecule'' N<sub>2</sub>) is a colourless and odourless gas.  Gaseous nitrogen is tightly bound with itself using a triple covalent bond, and so is fairly chemically inert.  The most common Isotope has 7 neutrons for an average atomic mass of 14.
-'''Nitrogen''' (''[[Elements on Mars|periodic table]]: N, molecule'' N<sub>2</sub>) is the most abundant atmospheric [[Elements on Mars|element]] in the [[Earth]]'s atmosphere, making up 78% of the total atmospheric gas. [[Mars]], however, has less nitrogen in it's [[atmosphere]], only 3% of the total atmospheric gas (and Mars has only 0.6% of Earth's pressure).       Mars has about 3% nitrogen in its atmosphere, so the nitrogen partial pressure is about 0.00018 bar.
+In the [[Earth]]'s atmosphere, it makes up 78% of the total atmospheric gas. [[Mars]], however, has less nitrogen in it's [[atmosphere]], only 3% of the total atmospheric gas (and Mars has only 0.6% of Earth's pressure).  Thus the nitrogen partial pressure is about 0.00018 bar.
 Nitrogen is one of the "CHNOPS" elements (Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Phosphorus, & Sulfur – the elements which are needed in quantity for life), so it will be required for life support.

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 {{element|elementName=Nitrogen|elementSymbol=N|protons=7|abundance=2.7%}}
-'''Nitrogen''' (''[[Elements on Mars|periodic table]]: N, molecule'' N<sub>2</sub>) is the most abundant atmospheric [[Elements on Mars|element]] in the [[Earth]]'s atmosphere, making up 78% of the total atmospheric gas. [[Mars]], however, has less nitrogen in it's [[atmosphere]], only 3% of the total atmospheric gas (and Mars has only 0.6% of Earth's pressure).  The most common Isotope has 7 neutrons for an average atomic mass of 14.
+Nitrogen is a colourless and odourless gas, and makes up most of our air.  The most common Isotope has 7 neutrons for an average atomic mass of 14.
 Nitrogen is one of the "CHNOPS" elements (Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Phosphorus, & Sulfur – the elements which are needed in quantity for life), so it will be required for life support.

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 It is likely that all the nitrogen obtain through atmospheric processing will become part of the colony atmosphere, at least in the early stages.  So large scale storage is not an immediate problem.  In all cases nitrogen can be stored at lower pressures when cooled bellow ambient temperatures.  However, a refrigeration system is required to do this.  If there is sufficient insulation, the heat gain can be quite small and the refrigeration system will also be minimum.
-The surface temperature of Mars aids for refrigeration as the average global temperature is approximately -63&deg;C.  So the storage location for liquid nitrogen would not be inside [[settlement|habitats]] (where the average temperature should be as close to 23 &deg;C as possible), but outside, on the cooler surface.  Or preferably underground in pressure vessels. '''''{{PersPosSection}} [[User:Ioneill|Ioneill]]'''''
+The surface temperature of Mars aids for refrigeration as the average global temperature is approximately -63&deg;C.  So the storage location for liquid nitrogen would not be inside [[settlement|habitats]] (where the average temperature should be as close to 23 &deg;C as possible), but outside, on the cooler surface.  Or preferably underground in pressure vessels.
 ==Uses==

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 The relative scarcity of nitrogen in Mar's atmosphere will cause an expense for colonists on Mars as the existing atmosphere must be processed to separate out [[Carbon_dioxide|CO<sub>2</sub>]].  As the CO<sub>2</sub> is required for propellant production, the concentration of Nitrogen to breathable levels becomes part of the propellant production cycle.
 Producing [[In-situ resource utilization|in-situ]] nitrogen from the martian atmosphere by [[atmospheric processing]] will be an important process for a martian settlement. For a stand-alone nitrogen production process, where the nitrogen is separated by cooling, the cooling needed to liquefy the carbon dioxide is mainly provided by evaporating the liquid carbon dioxide after the nitrogen has been removed.  Likewise the power for compressing the carbon dioxide is partially provided by expanding the output waste through a turbine with a common shaft with the compressor.  Some energy is required to offset system losses and the Carnot cycle is not perfectly reversible.  However, for a system that also compressed the atmosphere to produce CO<sub>2</sub> for propellant production, the energy to compress the CO2 will not be available.
 ==Nitrogen Deposits On Mars==
 Lightning in a nitrogen atmosphere will form nitrates.  On Earth, these nitrates fertilize the soil or ocean, and life recycles them.  On Mars it is likely that beds of nitrates have built up, however this is speculation, such deposits would likely be buried, and in any case have not yet been found.
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 Nitrates with a concentration of ~100 ppm have been found in typical Martian soils.  Assuming that no richer deposits are found, this suggests that to get Mars' atmospheres partial pressure up to 0.3 atmospheres, (a level required for a nitrogen life cycle), would require freeing Nitrogen from 30 cubic kilometres of soil.  This is a vast amount of dirt to process, but if any nitrate deposits are found (say with 100 times the concentration), then the required volume becomes much more realistic.  Also note, that existing nitrate deposits can easily provide enough nitrogen for habitats.
-Note that Curiosity found Nitrate deposits in Gale Crater from ~110 to ~300 ppm.  In Mudstone deposits, this value ranged from 300 to 1,100 ppm.  They speculate that these compounds were formed from thermal shock from impacts, or from lightning.
+Note that Curiosity found Nitrate deposits in Gale Crater from ~110 to ~300 ppm.  In Mudstone deposits, this value ranged from 300 to 1,100 ppm.  They speculate that these compounds were formed from thermal shock from impacts, or from [[lightning]].
 ==Storage==

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 Nitrates with a concentration of ~100 ppm have been found in typical Martian soils.  Assuming that no richer deposits are found, this suggests that to get Mars' atmospheres partial pressure up to 0.3 atmospheres, (a level required for a nitrogen life cycle), would require freeing Nitrogen from 30 cubic kilometres of soil.  This is a vast amount of dirt to process, but if any nitrate deposits are found (say with 100 times the concentration), then the required volume becomes much more realistic.  Also note, that existing nitrate deposits can easily provide enough nitrogen for habitats.
 ==Storage==
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 *[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrogen_cycle The nitrogen cycle on Wikipedia.]
 [[category:Air]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:21, 12 May 2022
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	In an important paper in 2015, it was found that nitrates existed in the soil of Mars. This hints that there may have been nitrogen fixation going on at some time in the past. If this is widespread, it would be very good news since the Nitrogen is biologically accessible, and if released to the atmosphere, would result in a 0.3 Bar partial pressure. <ref>https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/2016GL072199</ref>		In an important paper in 2015, it was found that nitrates existed in the soil of Mars. This hints that there may have been nitrogen fixation going on at some time in the past. If this is widespread, it would be very good news since the Nitrogen is biologically accessible, and if released to the atmosphere, would result in a 0.3 Bar partial pressure. <ref>https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/2016GL072199</ref>
		+
		+	Nitrates with a concentration of ~100 ppm have been found in typical Martian soils. Assuming that no richer deposits are found, this suggests that to get Mars' atmospheres partial pressure up to 0.3 atmospheres, (a level required for a nitrogen life cycle), would require freeing Nitrogen from 30 cubic kilometres of soil. This is a vast amount of dirt to process, but if any nitrate deposits are found (say with 100 times the concentration), then the required volume becomes much more realistic. Also note, that existing nitrate deposits can easily provide enough nitrogen for habitats.

	==Storage==		==Storage==

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 If such deposits are found, they will be an important biological resource for future [[Settlement]]<nowiki/>s, and may help determine settlement locations.
-In an important paper in 2015, it was found that nitrates existed in the soil of Mars.  This hints that there may have been nitrogen fixation going on at some time in the past.  If this is widespread, it would be very good news since the Nitrogen is biologically accessible, and if released to the atmosphere, would result in a 0.3 Bar partial pressure.
+In an important paper in 2015, it was found that nitrates existed in the soil of Mars.  This hints that there may have been nitrogen fixation going on at some time in the past.  If this is widespread, it would be very good news since the Nitrogen is biologically accessible, and if released to the atmosphere, would result in a 0.3 Bar partial pressure. <ref>https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/2016GL072199</ref>
 ==Storage==

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:31, 21 October 2021
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	If such deposits are found, they will be an important biological resource for future [[Settlement]]<nowiki/>s, and may help determine settlement locations.		If such deposits are found, they will be an important biological resource for future [[Settlement]]<nowiki/>s, and may help determine settlement locations.
		+
		+	In an important paper in 2015, it was found that nitrates existed in the soil of Mars. This hints that there may have been nitrogen fixation going on at some time in the past. If this is widespread, it would be very good news since the Nitrogen is biologically accessible, and if released to the atmosphere, would result in a 0.3 Bar partial pressure.

	==Storage==		==Storage==

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:09, 5 June 2021
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	The "[[nitrogen cycle]]" is an essential terrestrial process that produces organic compounds intrinsic to life on Earth. "Fixing" by [[lightning]] strikes or [[bacteria\|bacterial]] processes combine atmospheric nitrogen with other elements (such as hydrogen, producing [[ammonia]]) producing organic compounds required for plants ([[fertilizer\|sustaining growth]] and used in [[photosynthesis]]), thereby supporting [[ecosystem]]s. Nitrogen can be found in [[amino acids]], proteins and DNA, making it an essential component of life as we know it.		The "[[nitrogen cycle]]" is an essential terrestrial process that produces organic compounds intrinsic to life on Earth. "Fixing" by [[lightning]] strikes or [[bacteria\|bacterial]] processes combine atmospheric nitrogen with other elements (such as hydrogen, producing [[ammonia]]) producing organic compounds required for plants ([[fertilizer\|sustaining growth]] and used in [[photosynthesis]]), thereby supporting [[ecosystem]]s. Nitrogen can be found in [[amino acids]], proteins and DNA, making it an essential component of life as we know it.
		+
		+	== Nitrogen Deposits On Mars ==
		+	Lightning in a nitrogen atmosphere will form nitrates. On Earth, these nitrates fertilize the soil or ocean, and life recycles them. On Mars it is likely that beds of nitrates have built up, however this is speculation, such deposits would likely be buried, and in any case have not been found yet.
		+
		+	If such deposits are found, they will be an important biological resource for future [[Settlement]]<nowiki/>s, and may help determine settlement locations.

	==Storage==		==Storage==