So this result states that the atmospheric conductivity should exponentially increase with altitude with the same scale height, H, with which the atmospheric number density decreases. However, Gringel et al. Regardless of its exact form, both methods result in an exponentially increasing atmospheric conductivity. These estimates are in actuality upper limits on conductivity. In this simple treatment, we have neglected the effects of aerosols.
Aerosols essentially decrease conductivity by vastly increasing the mass of the charge carriers.
Typically aerosols such as dust are found in greater quantities near the surface, and, therefore, lower the atmospheric conductivity near the surface. Briefly, we can estimate the total resistance of the Martian atmosphere if we make some simplifying assumptions. Finally, assume that the conducting ionosphere occurs at an altitude of 100 km. Therefore, the global resistance of the Martian atmosphere appears to be on the order of 10 Ohms. Aerosols may increase the specific resistance of the lower atmosphere, and , thus, increase this value.