Research Associate
Ph.D., 2006, University of Colorado
B.A., 2000, Franklin and Marshall College
Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics

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Office: CIRES 146
Phone: 303 492-1433
Fax: 303-492-1149
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Dr. Trainer has received a NASA Postdoctoral Fellowship to use both experimental work and theory to evaluate the ability of CO₂ clathrates to form at the Martian poles and serve as a sink for CH₄ gas. Recent detection of methane (CH₄) on Mars has generated interest in evaluating the source of this trace species and its role in the current atmosphere. While the photochemistry of CH₄ is well understood, little is known about the heterogeneous (gas-surface) reactions that may take place on the Martian surface. Understanding the complete processing of CH₄ will help determine whether this trace species may be an indicator of past or present life. The identification of previously unknown sources or sinks of CH₄ may also explain the variability observed in CH₄ concentration despite its long photochemical lifetime. It has been suggested that the Martian polar deposits may contain carbon dioxide (CO₄) clathrate hydrates, in which cages of water ice surround trapped CO₄ molecules. These clathrates may account for the storage of large amounts of CO₄, and may also trap CH₄ molecules from the atmosphere. Although CO₄ clathrates have been observed in the laboratory, there have not been experimental studies performed specifically for Mars using appropriate temperatures and vapor concentrations. This research will use a high vacuum chamber and low temperature cryostat to generate CO₄ clathrates using conditions and substrates relevant to Mars. Also, the amount of CH₄ taken up into the clathrate structure will be measured for the first time . These laboratory measurements will be used to include a heterogeneous chemistry component to a Mars General Circulation Model (GCM) that is being developed as a collaborative effort in the Toon group at the University of Colorado.