Noble Gas and Hydrogen Geochemistry Across Earth, Moon, and Mars
This community investigates the origin, distribution, and behavior of noble gases and hydrogen in planetary environments, applying these chemical signatures to understand geological processes on Earth and surface conditions on the Moon and Mars.
The work centers on isotope fractionation, mass spectrometry, and Raman spectroscopy to trace gas sources and sinks. Recurring themes include the accumulation of natural hydrogen in continental crust and groundwater systems, the composition of the solar wind and its interaction with planetary surfaces, and the geochemical characteristics of lunar regolith and Martian craters. Researchers analyze carbon and hydrogen isotopes in basins and aquifers to reconstruct past atmospheric and hydrological conditions, while also studying space weathering and magnetic field interactions in the inner magnetosphere. The literature frequently addresses the implications of these gas reservoirs for planetary evolution and resource potential.
The largest share of the community's output is found in helium research, accounting for 2.6% of all helium research, with 2,450 papers here. Mercury research follows with 1.9% of its total output, and carbon research contributes 0.3%, representing 2,105 papers within this group.
The community comprises 19,152 papers, publishing most frequently in Icarus, Geophysical Research Letters, and Earth and Planetary Science Letters.
Recent work continues to focus on redox-driven mineral associations in Jezero Crater, the search for water ice in lunar permanently shaded regions, and the role of extremophile microbiomes in potential Mars terraforming, alongside studies on mantle geodynamics and atmospheric escape recorded in Archean quartz.