Kinetic isotopic fractionation and the origin of HDO and CH3D in the Solar System

Icarus. 1988:74:121-32. doi: 10.1016/0019-1035(88)90034-6.

Abstract

It is argued that photochemical processes, driven by ultraviolet starlight, could lead to large deuterium fractionation for H2O and CH4 relative to H2 in the primitive solar nebula. Implications for deuterium enrichment observed in planetary atmospheres are briefly discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Atmosphere
  • Deuterium*
  • Extraterrestrial Environment
  • Hydrogen / chemistry
  • Hydroxyl Radical / chemistry
  • Isotopes*
  • Models, Chemical*
  • Photochemistry*
  • Photolysis
  • Planets
  • Solar System*
  • Water / chemistry

Substances

  • Isotopes
  • Water
  • Hydroxyl Radical
  • Hydrogen
  • Deuterium