Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
The escape rate of nitrogen from Mars is calculated to be 2.3×105 s−1 for low solar flux conditions and 8.9×105 s−1 for high solar flux conditions. The major source of energetic atoms is dissociative recombination of ground state and vibrationally excited N2+ ions. The measured 15N/14N isotope ratio can be reproduced by postulating an early dense atmosphere during which little differentiation occurred.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Fox et al. (1983) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 10 related papers. Consider them for comparative context: