In the Microbe project, we will develop a sophisticated 1-D model with the aim of better understanding the evolution of the two water isotopes from the regolith to the exobase. This will require to include all processes relevant to the evolution of water and its isotopic composition on Mars.

A first step will consist of implementing the dominant mechanisms affecting the diurnal cycle and transport of water and HDO in the lower atmosphere. Expanding into the upper atmosphere, the photochemistry involving neutral and ionic species will be developed referring to the existing literature. Finally, an exospheric model will be used to study the escape processes, which strongly affect the fractionation of hydrogen and deuterium.

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