Deuterium‐excess determination of evaporation to inflow ratios of an alpine lake: Implications for water balance and modeling

The numerous lakes on the Tibetan Plateau play an important role in the regional hydrological cycle and water resources, but systematic observations of the lake water balance are scarce on the Tibetan Plateau. Here, we present a detailed study on the water cycle of Cona Lake, at the headwaters of the Nujiang‐Salween River, based on 3 years (2011–2013) of observations of δ¹⁸O and δ²H, including samples from precipitation, lake water, and outlet surface water. Short‐term atmospheric water vapor was also sampled for isotope analyses. The δ²H–δ¹⁸O relationship in lake water (δ²H = 6.67δ¹⁸O ? 20.37) differed from that of local precipitation (δ²H = 8.29δ¹⁸O + 12.50), and the deuterium excess (d‐excess) in the lake water (?7.5‰) was significantly lower than in local precipitation (10.7‰), indicating an evaporative isotope enrichment in lake water. The ratio of evaporation to inflow (E /I ) of the lake water was calculated using both d‐excess and δ¹⁸O. The E /I ratios of Cona lake ranged from 0.24 to 0.27 during the 3 years. Observations of atmospheric water vapor isotopic composition (δ _A ) improved the accuracy in E /I ratio estimate over a simple precipitation equilibrium model, though a correction factor method provided nearly identical estimates of E /I ratio. The work demonstrates the feasibility of d‐excess in the study of the water cycle for lakes in other regions of the world and provides recommendations on sampling strategies for accurate calculations of E /I ratio.     

Isotopic variation in the lake water balance at the Yamdruk‐tso basin,southern Tibetan Plateau

The use of stable isotopes is a practical tool in the study of the lake water budget. This is an one way to study the hydrological cycle in the large numbers of inland lakes on the Tibetan Plateau, in which the isotope record of the sediment is believed to reflect the climatic and environmental changes. The monitoring of stable isotopes of the precipitation, river and lake waters during 2004 in the inland Yamdruk‐tso basin, southern Tibetan Plateau, reveals the lake water δ¹⁸O is over 10‰ higher than the local precipitation. This high difference indicates strong isotope enrichment due to lake water evaporation. The simulation results based on the isotope technique show that the present lake water δ¹⁸O level corresponds to an average relative humidity of around 54–58% during evaporation, which is very close to the instrumental observation. The simulation results also show that the inland lakes on the Tibetan Plateau have a strong adjustability to the isotope shift of input water δ¹⁸O. On average, the isotope component in the inland lake water is to a large extent controlled by the local relative humidity, and can also be impacted by a shift of the local precipitation isotope component. This is probably responsible for the large consistence in the isotope component in the extensive inland lakes on the Tibetan Plateau. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Determination of groundwater discharge rates and water residence time of groundwater‐fed lakes by stable isotopes of water (18O, 2H) and radon (222Rn) mass balances

Lacustrine groundwater discharge (LGD) and the related water residence time are crucial parameters for quantifying lake matter budgets and assessing its vulnerability to contaminant input. Our approach utilizes the stable isotopes of water (δ¹⁸O, δ²H) and the radioisotope radon (²²²Rn) for determining long‐term average and short‐term snapshots in LGD. We conducted isotope balances for the 0.5‐km² Lake Ammelshainer See (Germany) based on measurements of lake isotope inventories and groundwater composition accompanied by good quality and comprehensive long‐term meteorological and isotopic data (precipitation) from nearby monitoring stations. The results from the steady‐state annual isotope balances that rely on only two sampling campaigns are consistent for both δ¹⁸O and δ²H and suggested an overall long‐term average LGD rate that was used to infer the water residence time of the lake. These findings were supported by the good agreement of the simulated LGD‐driven annual cycles of δ¹⁸O and δ²H lake inventories with the observed lake isotope inventories. However, radon mass balances revealed lower values that might be the result of seasonal LGD variability. For obtaining further insights into possible seasonal variability of groundwater–lake interaction, stable water isotope and radon mass balances could be conducted more frequently (e.g., monthly) in order to use the derived groundwater discharge rates as input for time‐variant isotope balances.     

Dual effects of precipitation and evaporation on lake water stable isotope composition in the monsoon region

We present the results of a 3‐year monitoring programme of the stable isotope composition of lake water and precipitation at Taozi Lake, in the East Asian monsoon region of China. Our aims were to reveal the spatiotemporal pattern of variation of stable isotopes in a small closed‐basin lake and to quantitatively determine the impacts of precipitation and evaporation on the stable isotope composition of lake water under a humid monsoon climate. In the time domain, the stable oxygen isotopic ratio of the lake water (δ¹⁸O_L) exhibited substantial seasonal and interannual variations, but the isotope variations between different precipitation events substantially exceeded seasonal and interannual variations. Compared with the stable isotopes in precipitation, δ¹⁸O_L was substantially positive and d_L was negative. In the space domains, the lake water was homogeneously mixed. Indicated by statistic analyses, precipitation plays a dominant role in dynamic of the lake stable isotope during precipitation events of relatively large magnitude, whereas the effect of evaporation is dominant during smaller precipitation events. Results advance our understanding of the stable isotope change rule in the process of lake water evaporation, and it is helpful to identify the climatic significance recorded in stable isotopic compositions of lake bottom sediments.     

DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF AN ISOTOPIC METHOD FOR ESTIMATING LAKE EVAPORATION

A study designed to test the validity of an isotopic method for estimating evaporation was conducted within a small, tundra lake situated in the continental Arctic of Canada. Evaporation was determined using an isotope mass balance approach which accounted quantitatively for isotopic fractionation, progressive evaporative enrichment of δ¹⁸O and δ²H in lake water, and attenuation of enrichment by liquid inputs and atmospheric moisture. Concurrent determinations made using standard mass balance, energy balance, aerodynamic profile and class A pans permitted rigorous comparisons between methods. Results are presented for two summers which had distinct weather conditions and hydrological balances. Overall, the δ¹⁸O balance was found to be in good agreement with standard methods during both years over time intervals greater than about one week. Owing to a less systematic response of δ²H over short time periods, it use is not recommended for quantitative mass balance determinations over time intervals of less than about 50 days in this setting.     

Seasonal evaporation cycle in oxbow lakes formed along the Tisza River in Hungary for flood control

As a result of water regulation, dykes (i.e., embankments against floods) were constructed along the Tisza River and meanders were cut to control the floods in the region. These cut‐off meanders resulted in oxbow lakes that are important locations for nature conservation. We collected water samples over 5 years in 7 campaigns to measure the δ¹⁸O (‰) and δ²H (‰) ratios in 45 oxbow lakes from the Upper Tisza Region (NE‐Hungary). We applied Random Forest Regression involving climatic data to reveal the connection with the stable isotopes. We determined that isotope ratios changed as a function of time, due to evaporation and a varying water supply (precipitation and groundwater). The average difference in the isotopic ratios for the river and oxbows increased from spring to winter, but decreased between the oxbows on both sides of the dyke. We found that isotope ratios were determined by the maximum monthly temperature in the case of oxbows in the active floodplain, whereas in case of oxbows on the reclaimed side, this was also influenced by the maximum monthly temperature, and the cumulative evaporation. As direct measurement of evaporation is difficult to evaluate, stable isotope measurements provided an effective quantitative alternative to estimate evaporation. Measuring the seasonality of the δ¹⁸O and δ²H is important to interpret the results and these data are useful to water management experts to identify the lakes at risk of running dry.     

A stable isotope study of the Garda lake, northern Italy: Its hydrological balance

Discontinuous measurements of the isotopic composition of surface water samples of the Garda lake carried out between 1998 and 2006 showed almost constant δ¹⁸O, δD and d-excess values through time. During 2006 and 2007 monthly vertical profiles of water samples were collected in the northernmost section of the lake, not far from the main inflow (Sarca river) to check whether there was any detectable influence from this inflowing river and whether there was a vertical isotopic stratification of the lake water. The isotopic measurement of water samples from the vertical profiles yielded isotopic values which were almost equal to those obtained from surface waters showing no detectable effect of the inflowing river water and no isotopic vertical stratification. The attempt to evaluate the evaporation rate of lake water by means of current models was totally unsuccessful. Despite the marked summer warming of the surface layer no isotopic fractionation related to evaporation processes could be detected. This anomalous behaviour may be related to the large amount of spring and summer precipitation characteristic of this area. The water balance of the lake calculated according to the amount of the inflowing water (Sarca river water plus rain water on the lake plus 20% of the precipitations on the whole catchment basin) and to the amount of outflowing water (Mincio river) showed a large imbalance, the river outflow alone resulting on average, during the last decade, at least double the inflow. To explain this imbalance of the lake, a large recharge by concealed groundwater is suggested: its isotopic composition should be quite close to the mean isotopic composition of precipitations over that area. This would be in agreement with the almost constant isotopic composition of both surface and deep waters and with the lack of vertical isotopic stratification. A few measurements of the tritium concentration carried out on lake water show values that are considerably higher than modern tritium values either in precipitation or in the Sarca river water: these results are in good agreement with the hypothesis of a recharge of the lake by deep aquifers.     

Water isotopic-geochemical composition in the Trekhtsvetnoe meromictic lake on the White Sea coast

The isotopic features of Lake Trekhtsvetnoe in the White Sea coast area were studied in 2012–2015 in both winter and summer. Lake Trekhtsvetnoe is a water body, separating from the sea, with constant vertical stratification throughout the observation period. Its isotopic, hydrophysical, and biological characteristics have been studied. By the isotopic profile of lake water body, three zones can be identified in the lake: (1) 0–1 m: mixolimnion zone with δ¹⁸O varying from–12 to–11.1‰; (2) 1.0–3.0 m: zone with transitional properties with δ¹⁸O varying from–11.1 to–5.5‰; (3) 3.0–7.6 m: monimolimnion zone with highest values of δ¹⁸O—from–5.5 to–4.7‰.     

Spatial and temporal variability of stable isotopes (δ18O and δ2H) in surface waters of arid,mountainous Central Asia

Characterization of spatial and temporal variability of stable isotopes (δ¹⁸O and δ²H) of surface waters is essential to interpret hydrological processes and establish modern isotope–elevation gradients across mountainous terrains. Here, we present stable isotope data for river waters across Kyrgyzstan. River water isotopes exhibit substantial spatial heterogeneity among different watersheds in Kyrgyzstan. Higher river water isotope values were found mainly in the Issyk‐Kul Lake watershed, whereas waters in the Son‐Kul Lake watershed display lower values. Results show a close δ¹⁸O–δ²H relation between river water and the local meteoric water line, implying that river water experiences little evaporative enrichment. River water from the high‐elevation regions (e.g., Naryn and Son‐Kul Lake watershed) had the most negative isotope values, implying that river water is dominated by snowmelt. Higher deuterium excess (average d = 13.9‰) in river water probably represents the isotopic signature of combined contributions from direct precipitation and glacier melt in stream discharge across Kyrgyzstan. A significant relationship between river water δ¹⁸O and elevation was observed with a vertical lapse rate of 0.13‰/100 m. These findings provide crucial information about hydrological processes across Kyrgyzstan and contribute to a better understanding of the paleoclimate/elevation reconstruction of this region.     

Identifying the source of atmospheric moisture over arid deserts using stable isotopes (2H and 18O) in precipitation

Precipitation is a major component of the hydrologic cycle in arid desert areas. To date, however, few studies have been conducted on investigating the isotope characteristics and moisture sources of precipitation in arid desert environments. The Alxa Desert Plateau is a critical arid desert area in North China. This study is the first to analyse the stable isotopic composition of precipitation to identify the sources of atmospheric moisture over this plateau. Our results show that the δD and δ¹⁸O values of precipitation across the plateau change greatly at both daily and monthly timescales, and exhibit seasonal variations. Among the main meteorological parameters, atmospheric temperature is the most predominant factor controlling the isotopic composition and the δD–δ¹⁸O relationship of local precipitation. Analyses of the precipitation isotopes with the Hybrid Single Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) model reveal that (a) the westerly and polar moisture sources are the dominant controls on summer and winter precipitation and (b) the evaporation of local lake water significantly affects winter precipitation even though it only represents a small amount. Based on the isotope data of 2013–2016 precipitation, a local meteoric water line (LMWL) is derived: δD = (8.20 ± 0.22)·δ¹⁸O + (8.15 ± 2.16)‰ for the study site. Compared to the global meteoric water line, the LMWL has a greater slope and lower d‐excess. This can be explained by admixing of atmospheric moisture resulting from the evaporation of local lake water. Based on this LMWL, we are able to trace that groundwater of the Badain Jaran Desert originates from the surrounding mountains with altitudes of <4,000 m. The newly derived LMWL shows that the recharge altitudes of desert groundwater are overestimated on the basis of the previous LMWLs. This study not only provides insights into the hydrological cycle but also offers guidance for water resource management in arid desert areas of China. Additionally, this study provides techniques that can be applied to the analyses of precipitation isotopes in similar arid regions of the world.     

Groundwater Origin in Qanats,Chemo-Isotopic,and Hydrogeological Evidence

A systematic study of the chemo-isotopic characteristics and origin of the groundwater was carried out at six major qanats in the hyper-arid Gonabad area, eastern Iran. These qanats as a sustainable groundwater extraction technology have a long history, supporting human life for more than a thousand years in this region. The Gonabad qanats are characterized by outlet electrical conductivity (EC) values of 750 to 3900 µS/cm and HCO₃-Na-Mg and Cl-Na water types. The Gonabad meteoric water line (G_nMWL) was drawn at the local scale as δ²H = 6.32×δ¹⁸O + 8.35 (with R² = 0.90). It has a lower slope and intercept than the global meteoric water line due to different water vapor sources and isotope kinetic fractionation effects during precipitation in this arid region. The altitude effects on isotopic content of precipitation data were derived as δ¹⁸O = (−0.0031 × H_(m.a.s.l))−1.3). The δ²H and δ¹⁸O isotopes signatures demonstrate a meteoric origin of the groundwater of these qanats. The shift of the qanat's water samples from the local meteoric water line (LMWL) in a dry period with higher temperatures is most probably due to evaporation during the infiltration process and water movement in qanat gallery. Based on the isotopic results and mass balance calculations, the qanats are locally recharged from an area between 2000 to 2400 m.a.s.l of nearby carbonate formations and coarse alluvial sediments. The dissolution of evaporate interlayers in Neogene deposits deteriorates the groundwater quality, especially in Baidokht qanat.     

Stable isotopic characteristic of Taiwan's precipitation: A case study of western Pacific monsoon region

The stable oxygen and hydrogen isotopic features of precipitation in Taiwan, an island located at the western Pacific monsoon area, are presented from nearly 3,500 samples collected during the past decade for 20 stations. Results demonstrate that moisture sources from diverse air masses with different isotopic signals are the main parameter in controlling the precipitation's isotope characteristics. The air mass from polar continental (Pc) region contributes the precipitation with high deuterium excess values (up to 23‰) and relatively enriched isotope compositions (e.g., ? 3.2‰ for δ¹⁸O) during the winter with prevailing northeasterly monsoon. By contrast, air masses from equatorial maritime (Em) and tropical maritime (Tm) supply the precipitation with low deuterium excess values (as low as about 7‰) and more depleted isotope values (e.g., ? 8.9‰ and ? 6.0‰ for δ¹⁸O of Tm and Em, respectively) during the summer with prevailing southwesterly monsoon. Thus seasonal differences in terms of δ¹⁸O, δD, and deuterium excess values are primarily influenced by the interactions among various precipitation sources. While these various air masses travel through Taiwan, secondary evaporation effects further modify the isotope characteristics of the inland precipitation, such as raindrop evaporation (reduces the deuterium excess of winter precipitation) and moisture recycling (increases the deuterium excess of summer precipitation). The semi-quantitative estimations in terms of evaluation for changes in the deuterium excess suggest that the raindrop evaporation fractions for winter precipitation range 7% to 15% and the proportions of recycling moisture in summer precipitation are less than 5%. Additionally, the isotopic altitude gradient in terms of δ¹⁸O for summer precipitation is ? 0.22‰/100 m, greater than ? 0.17‰/100 m of winter precipitation. The greater isotopic gradient in summer can be attributed to a higher temperature vs. altitude gradient relative to winter. The observed spatial and seasonal stable isotopic characteristics in Taiwan's precipitation not only contribute valuable information for regional monsoon research crossing the continent–ocean interface of East Asia, but also can serve as very useful database for local water resources management.     

Using stable isotopes of surface water and groundwater to quantify moisture sources across the Yellow River source region

Characterization of stable isotope compositions (δ²H and δ¹⁸O) of surface water and groundwater in a catchment is critical for refining moisture sources and establishing modern isotope–elevation relationships for paleoelevation reconstructions. There is no consensus on the moisture sources of precipitation in the Yellow River source region during summer season. This study presents δ²H and δ¹⁸O data from 111 water samples collected from tributaries, mainstream, lakes, and groundwater across the Yellow River source region during summertime. Measured δ¹⁸O values of the tributaries range from ?13.5‰ to ?5.8‰ with an average of ?11.0‰. Measured δ¹⁸O values of the groundwater samples range from ?12.7‰ to ?10.5‰ with an average of ?11.9‰. The δ¹⁸O data of tributary waters display a northward increase of 1.66‰ per degree latitude. The δ¹⁸O data and d‐excess values imply that moisture sources of the Yellow River source region during summertime are mainly from the mixing of the Indian Summer Monsoon and the Westerlies, local water recycling, and subcloud evaporation. Analysis of tributary δ¹⁸O data from the Yellow River source region and streamwater and precipitation δ¹⁸O data from its surrounding areas leads to a best‐fit second‐order polynomial relationship between δ¹⁸O and elevation over a 4,600 m elevation range. A δ¹⁸O elevation gradient of ?1.6‰/km is also established using these data, and the gradient is in consistence with the δ¹⁸O elevation gradient of north and eastern plateau. Such relationships can be used for paleoelevation reconstructions in the Yellow River source region.     

Isotopic temporal and spatial variations of tropical rivers in Thailand reflect monsoon precipitation signals

Stable isotopic compositions (δ¹⁸O and d-excess) from 25 rivers in Thailand were analysed monthly during 2013–2015. Results indicated that monsoon precipitation fundamentally influences the river isotopes. The overland flow supplied from monsoon precipitation and human-altered flow regimes produces considerable isotopic variability. Spatial and temporal variations were observed among four principal geographical regions. The seasonality of monsoon precipitation in mountainous Thailand produced large variations in isotopic compositions because most rainfall occurred during the southwest monsoon, and dry conditions prevailed during the northeast monsoon. The northern and northeastern regions are mountainous, highland areas. Low δ¹⁸O values were found in these regions, likely because of altitude effects on precipitation. Conversely, monsoonal precipitation continually supplies rivers in southern Thailand all year round, producing higher and more consistent δ¹⁸O values than in the other regions. The Chao Phraya plain in the central region experienced enrichment of δ¹⁸O river runoff related to evaporation in irrigation systems. Larger catchment areas and longer residence times resulted in more pronounced evaporation effects, producing lower values of d-excess and local river water line slopes compared with precipitation. The isotopic differences between river waters and precipitation were utilized to determine river recharge elevations and water transit time. The methods presented here can be used to explore hydrological interactions in other tropical river basins.     

Application of a spreadsheet hydrological model for computing the long-term water balance of Lake Awassa,Ethiopia

Abstract

The water balance of the closed freshwater Lake Awassa was estimated using a spreadsheet hydrological model based on long-term monthly hydrometeorological data. The model uses monthly evaporation, river discharge and precipitation data as input. The net groundwater flux is obtained from model simulation as a residual of other water balance components. The result revealed that evaporation, precipitation, and runoff constitute 131, 106 and 83 × 10⁶ m³ of the annual water balance of the lake, respectively. The annual net groundwater outflow from the lake to adjacent basins is 58 × 10⁶ m³. The simulated and recorded lake levels fit well for much of the simulation period (1981–1999). However, for recent years, the simulated and recorded levels do not fit well. This may be explained in terms of the combined effects of land-use change and neotectonism, which have affected the long-term average water balance. With detailed long-term hydrogeological and meteorological data, investigation of the subsurface hydrodynamics, and including the effect of land-use change and tectonism on surface water and groundwater fluxes, the water balance model can be used efficiently for water management practice. The result of this study is expected to play a positive role in future sustainable use of water resources in the catchment.     

Oxygen isotope variations in phosphate of biogenic apatites,I. Fish bone apatite—rechecking the rules of the game

The major advantage of the oxygen in phosphate isotope paleothermometry is that it is a system which records temperatures with great sensitivity while bone (and teeth) building organisms are alive, and the record is nearly perfectly preserved after death. Fish from seven water bodies of different temperatures (3–23°C) and different δ¹⁸O (values ?16 to +3) of the water were analysed. The δ¹⁸O values of the analysed PO₄ vary from 6 to 25. The system passed the following tests: (a) the temperatures deduced from isotopic analyses of the sequence of fish from Lake Baikal are in good agreement with the temperatures measured in the thermally stratified lake; (b) the isotopic composition of fish bone phosphate is not influenced by the isotopic composition of the phosphate which is fed to the fish, but only by temperature and water composition.Isotopic analysis of fossil fish in combination with analysis of mammal bones should be a useful tool in deciphering continental paleoclimates.     

Chirripó hydrological research site: Advancing stable isotope hydrology in the Central American Páramo

The Chirripó hydrological research site (CHRS) is located within the Chirripó National Park, Costa Rica (between 3100 and 3820 m asl) whereby ~100 km² are covered by Páramo, a high-elevation tropical grassland ecosystem. A lake district with approximately 30 lakes of glacial origin is also protected in this area. The CHRS has been monitored since April 2015 with the aim of establishing the first water isotope baseline for the Central American Páramo. At a regional scale, the water isotope ratios (δ²H and δ¹⁸O) in precipitation and surface water at CHRS are useful for describing the governing moisture transport from the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean and the complex rainfall producing systems across the N–S mountain range of Central America. These data are also providing unique information about the evaporation and water balance conditions of tropical glacial lakes and the formation of orographic and convective precipitation in high-elevation tropical ecosystems. Current data sets from CHRS include continuous lake water temperature and meteorological conditions (i.e., precipitation amount, air temperature and relative humidity), as well as water stable isotopes in precipitation, stream water, and lake water (daily to biweekly sampling frequency). Stream water is collected at several locations across the topographic gradient whereas lake water is sampled in the three main lake systems of CHRS. CHRS serves as a reference site for conducting pilot isotopic research in high-elevation ecosystems to advance the atmospheric, hydrogeological and ecohydrological studies in these understudied biomes. All data from April 2015 to November 2020 are publicly available.     

Mining lakes as groundwater‐dominated hydrological systems: assessment of the water balance of Mining Lake Plessa 117 (Lusatia,Germany) using stable isotopes

In the present study, the stable isotopes δ¹⁸O and δ²H were used for assessment of the water balance in a heterogeneously structured catchment area in the Lusatian Lignite Mining District, in particular, for estimation of the annual groundwater inflow and outflow (I_GW and O_GW) of Mining Lake Plessa 117. The application of stable isotopes was possible since the water exchange in the catchment area had reached steady‐state conditions after the abandonment of mining activities in 1968 and the filling of the voids and aquifers by re‐rising groundwater in the years thereafter. Diverging slopes of the Evaporation Line and the Global Meteoric Water Line manifested as evaporation from the lake catchment area. The calculated isotope water balance was compared with the commonly used surface water balance, which is unable to differentiate between I_GW and O_GW, and with a local groundwater model. The groundwater model calculated an I_GW of about 811 000 m³ yr^?1 and an O_GW close to zero, whereas the isotope water balance showed fluxes of about 914 000 and 140 000 m³ yr^?1, respectively. Considering the contribution of the groundwater inflow to the total annual input into the lake (ΔI_T) and the mean residence time (τ), where the groundwater model and the isotope water balance calculated 42 and 47% for ΔI_T and 4·3 and 3·9 years for τ, respectively, it was shown that both water balance calculation methods led to comparable results despite the differences in I_GW and O_GW. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Groundwater recharge in the Akaki catchment,central Ethiopia: evidence from environmental isotopes (δ18O, δ2H and 3H) and chloride mass balance

Recharge patterns, possible flow paths and the relative age of groundwater in the Akaki catchment in central Ethiopia have been investigated using stable environmental isotopes δ¹⁸O and δ²H and radioactive tritium (³H) coupled with conservative chloride measurements. Stable isotopic signatures are encoded in the groundwater solely from summer rainfall. Thus, groundwater recharge occurs predominantly in the summer months from late June to early September during the major Ethiopian rainy season. Winter recharge is lost through high evaporation–evapotranspiration within the unsaturated zone after relatively long dry periods of high accumulated soil moisture deficits. Chloride mass balance coupled with the isotope results demonstrates the presence of both preferential and piston flow groundwater recharge mechanisms. The stable and radioactive isotope measurements further revealed that groundwater in the Akaki catchment is found to be compartmentalized into zones. Groundwater mixing following the flow paths and topography is complicated by the lithologic complexity. An uncommon, highly depleted stable isotope and zero‐³H groundwater, observed in a nearly east–west stretch through the central sector of the catchment, is coincident with the Filwoha Fault zone. Here, deep circulating meteoric water has lost its isotopic content through exchange reactions with CO₂ originating at deeper sources or it has been recharged with precipitation from a different rainfall regime with a depleted isotopic content. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

When to conduct an isotopic survey for lake water balance evaluation in highly seasonal climates

One‐time or short‐term lake water isotopic surveys are often employed to evaluate regional lake water balance. However, it can be difficult to determine the optimal time‐window for sampling to obtain a representative long‐term perspective of lake water balance in settings influenced by seasonal variations in precipitation, evaporative loss, glacial/snow meltwater, and larger seasonal shifts in isotopic composition of precipitation. This is especially true for areas of the Tibetan Plateau that are influenced by the summer Indian monsoon. Although high‐frequency sampling is always preferred as the most rigorous approach to characterize the water budget of lakes or watersheds, this may be impractical in remote regions and over large spatial scales. To assess the potential sensitivity of isotope balance characterization to seasonal variability, we used a weekly lake water isotope data set acquired over a period of 3 years on the Tibetan Plateau to evaluate the potential inaccuracies that might have arisen from using isotopic data collected during narrower time‐windows. For this assessment, we use weekly isotopic data collected during the study and assume that these sampling events were stand‐alone one‐time surveys. We then demonstrate the sensitivity of the isotope balance method in this setting, particularly for the rainy season that significantly underestimated the evaporation/inflow. In contrast, isotopic composition of the lake water was found to be more representative of long‐term conditions when sampled in October on the Tibetan Plateau. To broaden our evaluation of seasonality effects over a range of climatic zones, published high‐frequency isotopic data were also compiled, and a similar assessment was carried out for selected regions of the world. The synthesized data and model outputs, which confirm pronounced variations in lake water isotopic composition and evaporation/inflow across a range of seasonal climates, were used to determine optimal sampling windows for these specific regions.