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Geochemical problems of the Antarctic dry areas

Abstract

The dry areas of the Antarctic are extreme deserts. Because of the cold they are not subjected to rainfall and geochemical separations can take place which would be destroyed by flowing water in the more temperate deserts. The distribution of soluble salts which accumulate on the surface and in the lakes is unusual and is explained on the basis of relative humidity separation mechanism. It is suggested that similar phenomena may take place on Mars.

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Wilson, A. Geochemical problems of the Antarctic dry areas. Nature 280, 205–208 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1038/280205a0

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