Theory 82/Planetary/Volatile cycling
Volatiles Balance Outgassing and Subduction
The claim
Atmospheric volatile inventory is set by the ratio of outgassing to subduction, so a planet with fast recycling has a thinner atmosphere at the same degassing rate.
01Mechanism
Volatiles enter the atmosphere through volcanism and leave through subduction; the ratio sets the steady state.
02Prediction
Inventory should track the ratio.
03Refutation
Inventory tracking outgassing alone would remove recycling.