Gravitomagnetic separation of bipolar charged martian dust

Abstract

The possible role of magnetic anomalies on Mars in gravitational enhancement of separation of charged dust is considered. It is known that charges become spatially separated by differential transport and gravitational sedimentation because the charge polarity of particles od dust depends on the particle size - where smaller particles are negatively charged and larger particles are positively charged; thus smaller and predominantly negative charged particles populate higher regions of dust devils, and larger, positively charged particles fall to the ground. This study shows that gravitational separation could be enhanced by the presence of magnetic anomalies on Mars owing to the generation of a type of magnetobarrier that prevents gravitational settling of charged dust particles beyond a certain size threshold.