About this Research Topic
Clathrate hydrates are crystalline structures of water, akin to ice, that host volatiles in their interior cavities. In planetary conditions they may include non-polar molecules such as noble gases, nitrogen (N2), carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), ethane (C2H6), or more complex organic molecules.
Clathrate hydrates may play a role in different planetary processes: they are thought to contribute to the selective retention of volatiles during planetary formation, participate in the geochemical cycles of icy moons and some dwarf planets by intervening in atmosphere-crust-ocean-mantle exchange processes.
Despite the large amount of work done to date, the thermodynamics and kinetics of clathrate hydrates are not yet well established at conditions of planetary surfaces and the interplanetary media (under ultrahigh vacuum) neither in some planetary interiors (high pressure) in presence of other phases that can affect crystalline structure and stability, formation/dissociation kinetics, and cage occupancy.
This Research Topic calls for papers that can contribute to elucidate the role of clathrate hydrates during the evolution of the solar system, from the formation of ice-rich planetesimals (first generation of clathrates) to their participation in planetary dynamics (later generations).
We invite observational, theoretical, experimental, conceptual, or computational contributions that can provide new insights and stimulate a constructive debate around (but not limited to) the following open questions, topics, and challenges:
• Formation of different types of clathrate hydrates under ultra-high vacuum and low temperature conditions
• Crystalline structures, degree of crystallinity and occupation of clathrate hydrates cages in space environments and planetary interior conditions
• Stability fields and kinetics of formation/dissociation of clathrate hydrates under pressure, in the presence of other chemical species and different mineral phases
• Chemical and physical properties of clathrate hydrates as a function of their composition and formation temperature and pressure
• Geological implications of mineral assemblages of clathrate hydrates co-existing with other mineral phases
• Biological aspects associated to clathrate hydrates-rich environments.
We welcome a range of article types: Brief Research Report, Original Research, Review, Mini Review, Perspective, General Commentary, Hypothesis and Theory, and Opinion.
Clathrate hydrates may play a role in different planetary processes: they are thought to contribute to the selective retention of volatiles during planetary formation, participate in the geochemical cycles of icy moons and some dwarf planets by intervening in atmosphere-crust-ocean-mantle exchange processes.
Despite the large amount of work done to date, the thermodynamics and kinetics of clathrate hydrates are not yet well established at conditions of planetary surfaces and the interplanetary media (under ultrahigh vacuum) neither in some planetary interiors (high pressure) in presence of other phases that can affect crystalline structure and stability, formation/dissociation kinetics, and cage occupancy.
This Research Topic calls for papers that can contribute to elucidate the role of clathrate hydrates during the evolution of the solar system, from the formation of ice-rich planetesimals (first generation of clathrates) to their participation in planetary dynamics (later generations).
We invite observational, theoretical, experimental, conceptual, or computational contributions that can provide new insights and stimulate a constructive debate around (but not limited to) the following open questions, topics, and challenges:
• Formation of different types of clathrate hydrates under ultra-high vacuum and low temperature conditions
• Crystalline structures, degree of crystallinity and occupation of clathrate hydrates cages in space environments and planetary interior conditions
• Stability fields and kinetics of formation/dissociation of clathrate hydrates under pressure, in the presence of other chemical species and different mineral phases
• Chemical and physical properties of clathrate hydrates as a function of their composition and formation temperature and pressure
• Geological implications of mineral assemblages of clathrate hydrates co-existing with other mineral phases
• Biological aspects associated to clathrate hydrates-rich environments.
We welcome a range of article types: Brief Research Report, Original Research, Review, Mini Review, Perspective, General Commentary, Hypothesis and Theory, and Opinion.
Keywords: Clathrate Hydrates, Space Conditions, Volatile Retention, Planetary Interior Conditions, Geochemical Cycles
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
