Water and CO2 on Mars, intrerrelated phase change processes. Options

[ngunn]

I think this will be of interest: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/...00922124546.htm

[Juramike]

The thin layer of ice might spectroscopically mask the CO2. (Like as a paint covering).

I wonder if something that penetrates deeper might notice a change, like a RADAR experiment that could measure dielectric constant. (At 0 C, dielectric constant of H2O = 88, CO2 = 1.6. [reference list here])

[schaffman]

The thin layer of ice might spectroscopically mask the CO2. (Like as a paint covering).

I bet it does. If there's a lot of CO2 squestered in the caps, what are the implications for past climate conditions? I wonder if there's enough there to increase the average surface pressure significantly if released. I suspect not...but...
Tom