Stable isotopes of atmospheric water vapour and precipitation in the northeast Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau

Stable water isotopes (δ¹⁸O and δ²H) are an important source signature for understanding the hydrological cycle and altered climate regimes. However, the mechanisms underlying atmospheric water vapour isotopes in the northeast Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau of central Asia remain poorly understood. This study initially investigated water vapour isotopic composition and its controls during the premonsoon and monsoon seasons. Isotopic compositions of water vapour and precipitation exhibited high variability across seasons, with the most negative average δ¹⁸O values of precipitation and the most positive δ¹⁸O values of water vapour found during the premonsoon periods. Temperature effect was significant during the premonsoon period but not the monsoon period. Both a higher slope and intercept of the local meteoric water line were found during the monsoon period as compared with in the premonsoon period, suggesting that raindrops have been experienced a greater kinetic fractionation process such as reevaporation below the cloud during the premonsoon periods. The δ²H and δ¹⁸O signatures in atmospheric water vapour tended to be depleted with the occurrence of precipitation events especially during the monsoon period and probably as a result of rainout processes. The monthly average contribution of evaporation from the lake to local precipitation was 35.2%. High d‐excess values of water vapour were influenced by the high proportion of local moisture mixing, as indicated by the gradually increasing relative humidity along westerly and Asian monsoon trajectories. The daily observation (observed ε) showed deviations from the equilibrium fractionation factors (calculated ε), implying that raindrops experienced substantial evaporative enrichment during their descent. The average fraction of raindrops reevaporation was estimated to be 16.4± 12.9%. These findings provide useful insights for understanding the interaction between water vapour and precipitation, moisture sources, and help in reconstructing the paleoclimate in the alpine regions.     

Spatiotemporal variation of stable isotopic composition in precipitation: Post‐condensational effects in a humid area

In the present study, a 2‐year dataset on δ¹⁸O and δ²H in precipitation is used to investigate hydrometeorologic controls on the isotopic compositions in a temperate maritime climate. Data was collected in Denmark along a transect of Six sampling stations across a landscape with a small topographic gradient and predominant westerly winds. Data showed the local meteoric water line for this region is expressed by the equation δ²H = 7.4δ¹⁸O + 5.4‰. A significant trend correlating enriched isotopic values to humidities around 70% during dry season and more depleted isotopic values to humidities around 90% during wet season was derived from the dataset. Temperature was found to only influence the isotopic composition in a secondary way, whereas no significant relationship was obtained for precipitation amount and evapotranspiration. It is suggested that subcloud post‐condensation exchange strongly influences the isotopic composition at the study site. A simple model of evaporation on falling rain was applied with the aim to reproduce observational data and show the potential influence of changing humidity conditions on precipitation compositions. The rather simple model approach did not fully explain the observational data, but it highlights the drastic isotopic changes from a falling raindrop that potentially can occur due to its release into a dryer atmosphere. This study shows that regional conditions and especially humidity can alter the isotopic composition in precipitation substantially even in regions without major topographic and hydrometeorologic gradients.     

Factors controlling diurnal variation in the isotopic composition of atmospheric water vapour observed in the taiga,eastern Siberia

Deciduous forest covers vast areas of permafrost under severe dry climate in eastern Siberia. Understanding the water cycle in this forest ecosystem is quite important for climate projection. In this study, diurnal variations in isotopic compositions of atmospheric water vapour were observed in eastern Siberia with isotope analyses of precipitation, sap water of larch trees, soil water, and water in surface organic layer during the late summer periods of 2006, 2007, and 2008. In these years, the soil moisture content was considerably high due to unusually large amounts of summer rainfall and winter snowfall. The observed sap water δ¹⁸O ranged from ?17.9‰ to ?13.3‰, which was close to that of summer precipitation and soil water in the shallow layer, and represents that of transpired water vapour. On sunny days, as the air temperature and mixing ratio rose from predawn to morning, the atmospheric water vapour δ¹⁸O increased by 1‰ to 5‰ and then decreased by about 2‰ from morning to afternoon with the mixing ratio. On cloudy days, by contrast, the afternoon decrease in δ¹⁸O and the mixing ratio was not observed. These results show that water vapour that transpired from plants, with higher δ¹⁸O than the atmospheric water vapour, contributes to the increase in δ¹⁸O in the morning, whereas water vapour in the free atmosphere, with lower δ¹⁸O, contributes to the decrease in the afternoon on sunny days. The observed results reveal the significance of transpired water vapour, with relatively high δ¹⁸O, in the water cycle on a short diurnal time scale and confirm the importance of the recycling of precipitation through transpiration in continental forest environments such as the eastern Siberian taiga. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Isotopic composition of precipitation in a topographically steep,seasonally snow‐dominated watershed and implications of variations from the global meteoric water line

The local meteoric water line (LMWL), the functional relationship between locally measured values of δ¹⁸O and δ²H in precipitation, represents the isotopic composition of water entering hydrologic systems. The degree to which the LMWL departs from the global meteoric water line (GMWL), moreover, can reveal important information about meteoric sources of water (e.g. oceanic or terrestrial) and atmospheric conditions during transport. Here we characterize the isotopic composition of precipitation within an experimental watershed in the Western US that is subject to large topographic and seasonal gradients in precipitation. Interpreting the hydrometeorologic and spatial controls on precipitation, we constructed a seasonally weighted LMWL for southwestern Idaho that is expressed by the equation δ²H = 7.40 × δ¹⁸O ? 2.17. A seasonally weighted LMWL that is based on weighting isotopic concentrations by climatic precipitation volumes is novel, and we argue better represents the significant seasonality of precipitation in the region. The developed LMWL is considerably influenced by the semiarid climate experienced in southwest Idaho, yielding a slope and y‐intercept lower than the GMWL (δ²H = 8 × δ¹⁸O + 10). Moderate to strong correlations exist between the isotopic composition of precipitation from individual events and surface meteorologic variables, specifically surface air temperature, relative humidity, and precipitation amount. A strong negative correlation exists between the annual average isotopic composition of precipitation and elevation at individual collection sites, with a lapse rate of ?0.22‰/100 m. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Orographic distillation and spatio‐temporal variations of stable isotopes in precipitation in the North Atlantic

Little is known about the spatial and temporal variability of the stable isotopic composition of precipitation in the North Atlantic and its relationship to the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and anthropogenic climate change. The islands of the Azores archipelago are uniquely positioned in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean to address this knowledge gap. A survey of spatial and temporal variability of the stable isotope composition of precipitation in Azores is discussed using newly presented analyses along with Global Network of Isotopes in Precipitation data. The collected precipitation samples yield a new local meteoric water line (δ²H = 7.1 * δ¹⁸O + 8.46) for the Azores region and the North Atlantic Ocean. The annual isotopic mean of precipitation shows a small range for the unweighted and precipitation mass‐weighted δ¹⁸O‐H₂O values. Results show an inverse relation between the monthly δ¹⁸O‐H₂O and the amount of precipitation, which increases in elevation and into the interior of the island. Higher amounts of precipitation (from convective storm systems) do not correspond to the most depleted values of stable isotopes in precipitation. Precipitation shows an orographic effect with depleted δ¹⁸O‐H₂O values related to the Rayleigh effect. Monthly δ¹⁸O‐H₂O values for individual precipitation sampling stations show little relationship to air temperature. Results show a local source of moisture during the summer with the characteristics of the first vapour condensate. The stable isotope composition of precipitation is strongly correlated to the NAO index, and δ¹⁸O‐H₂O values show a statistically significantly trend towards enrichment since 1962 coincident with the increased air temperature and relative humidity due to climate change. Results are in line with observations of increasing sea surface temperature and relative humidity.     

Isotopic variations in precipitation at Bangkok and their climatological significance

The stable isotopic composition of precipitation from low to mid latitudes contains information about changes of some climatic factors, such as temperature, precipitation and atmospheric circulation patterns. However, the isotopic variations in the area are very complicated because of the combined influences of these factors. Proper interpretation of the patterns of isotopic variations for palaeoclimate reconstructions in this area requires a detailed understanding of these complex stable isotope controls. The isotopic data (δ¹⁸O and δ²D) in precipitation at the International Atomic Energy Agency–World Meteorological Organization Bangkok station were collected and analysed because of the relatively long and unbroken isotopic records and the particular geographical location. The isotopic variations at Bangkok have strong seasonal patterns owing to distinct source regions in different seasons. In summer, the remote sources of water there can influence the δ¹⁸O values significantly, which is verified by the simple Rayleigh model. In winter, the mixing of isotopically distinct air masses with different origins, i.e. the continental and oceanic air masses, accounts for the isotopic variations. In the transition periods of the Asia–Australia monsoon, namely in May and October, the local vapour contribution may play a role in the isotopic ratios. On the interannual time‐scale, the influences of El Niño–southern oscillation (ENSO) and the Indian Ocean dipole (IOD) on isotopic composition are examined. The indications are that both the ENSO and IOD indices have a significant correlation with the δ¹⁸O ratios, and that the δ¹⁸O ratio in summer rains is significantly more enriched (depleted) during the warm (cold) phase of ENSO/IOD events. All the results suggest that it is useful for us in understanding the water cycling process and may be helpful in palaeoclimate reconstruction in this monsoon region. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Estimating the criterion for determining water vapour sources of summer precipitation on the northern Tibetan Plateau

According to the precipitation and δ¹⁸O data obtained during the GEWEX Asian Monsoon Experiment–Tibet Intensive Observation Period, based on the knowledge that δ¹⁸O is lower in precipitation formed from ocean air mass vapour than that from local evaporation vapour, the water vapour sources can be identified from the δ¹⁸O values in precipitation. We attempt to give the identification criterion of δ¹⁸O values in precipitation. The threshold values chosen to distinguish between ocean and local sources are δ¹⁸O < ?20‰ and δ¹⁸O > ?13‰ respectively. According to this criterion, the proportion of local evaporation‐formed precipitation and ocean air‐mass‐formed precipitation in total precipitation was estimated. The average value of precipitation at three sites (NODA, Amdo and AQB) is 249·76 mm. Among this, precipitation formed directly by the ocean air mass vapour is 80·08 mm at most. Precipitation formed by water vapour evaporated from local places is 117·05 mm at least. That is to say that precipitation formed directly by the ocean air mass vapour accounts for 32·06% of the total precipitation at most. Precipitation formed by water vapour evaporated from local places accounts for 46·86% of the total precipitation at least. At least 21·8% of the total precipitation came from water vapour that was evaporated on the way and transported by the monsoon circulation. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Vapour source and spatiotemporal variation of precipitation isotopes in Southwest Spain

The δ²H and δ¹⁸O composition of 77 precipitation samples collected between January 2014 and April 2019 from two sites across the Guadalquivir Basin, SW Spain, were analysed. The first site is located in an urban area of Seville at 100 km distance to the Atlantic coast and the second site is located in a dune area of the Doñana National Park a few kilometres from the coast. Sampling was performed within intervals of at least 14 days if rain occurred but frequently intervals were longer according to the rainfall incidence. Samples from both sites are available for the period February 2016 to June 2018 with six samples containing identical rain events at both locations. Precipitation weighted averages and local meteoric water lines produced by weighting and non-weighting regression methods are presented for its use in hydrological applications. Results show a remarkably high variability in δ²H and δ¹⁸O values and precipitation weighted average d-excess values of 11.8‰ and 13‰ at the sites Plaza de España and Doñana, respectively. Temperature and amount effects were found to be weak. A significant influence of secondary evaporation for single rainfall events during summer was identified by enriched isotopic signatures with reduced d-excess values plotting close or below the global meteoric water line. Backward trajectory analysis of 115 days with daily rainfall above 3 mm yield a predominant Atlantic Ocean vapour source with negligible Mediterranean influence and therefore, d-excess variability is attributed to the different ocean surface conditions of relative humidity and sea surface temperature. Parallel sampling indicate very similar isotopic signatures at both sites and point to the existence of thermal effects of the Plaza de España site in Seville city during the summer season.     

Factors controlling spatial and seasonal distributions of precipitation δ18O in China

Utilising datasets from the Global Network of Isotopes in Precipitation of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and previous isotopic studies, we investigated δ¹⁸O spatial and temporal patterns in Chinese precipitation. Significantly positive relationships existed between precipitation δ¹⁸O and air temperature above the north of 35°N and in high altitude regions above 32°N. Significantly negative relationships between precipitation δ¹⁸O and the precipitation amount existed below south of 35°N. These temperature and precipitation effects became stronger with increasing altitude except in high altitude regions between 32°N and 35°N. The NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data from 1980 to 2004 showed that variations in spatial and seasonal wind fields at 700 hpa and total precipitable water from the ground to the top of the atmosphere were correlated with the monthly spatial distribution of precipitation δ¹⁸O. Basing on this relationship, we established quantitative correlations between the mean monthly precipitation δ¹⁸O and both latitude and temperature in different seasons. We found that spatial variations in precipitation δ¹⁸O could be described well using the Bowen–Wilkinson model and second‐order equations developed during the present study only in winter (from December to February). During the rest of the year, patterns were too complex to predict using simple models. The results suggest that it is difficult to demonstrate variations of precipitation δ¹⁸O throughout the year and for all regions of China using a single model. Moreover, the new models for the relationships among precipitation, latitude, and temperature were better able to depict the variations in precipitation δ¹⁸O than the Bowen–Wilkinson model. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A Lagrangian approach to modelling stable isotopes in precipitation over mountainous terrain

A Lagrangian (Rayleigh) distillation model is used to track the evolution of stable isotopes in precipitation over mountainous terrain from the Pacific Coast of Canada to two alpine field sites in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Precipitation δ¹⁸O at Vancouver constrains the model and air–mass back trajectories provide the water vapour pathway for 10 winter storm events. Isotopic values along storm pathways are modelled with a classical Rayleigh model that prescribes a linear decrease in temperature and pressure from initial to final conditions, and two models that account directly for orographic precipitation processes by: (i) applying an orographic rainfall model and (ii) using North American Regional Reanalysis data to calculate the change in vapour content along storm pathways. All models are significant predictors of snowpack δ¹⁸O, but the orographic model provides the best fit to precipitation‐weighted δ¹⁸O for each storm. The improvement in modelled δ¹⁸O by accounting for terrain along storm trajectories illustrates the need to account for orographically driven moisture loss when modelling vapour transport to ice core sites with mountainous upwind terrain. This finding is also applicable to isotopic studies of paleoaltimetry and source areas of groundwater recharge. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Precipitation stable isotope variability and subcloud evaporation processes in a semi‐arid region

The stable isotopic (²H/¹H and ¹⁸O/¹⁶O) composition of precipitation has been used for a variety of hydrological and paleoclimate studies, a starting point for which is the behaviour of stable isotopes in modern precipitation. To this end, daily precipitation samples were collected over a 7‐year period (2008–2014) at a semi‐arid site located at the Macquarie Marshes, New South Wales (Australia). The samples were analysed for stable isotope composition, and factors affecting the isotopic variability were investigated. The best correlation between δ ¹⁸O of precipitation was with local surface relative humidity. The reduced major axis precipitation weighted local meteoric water line was δ ²H = 7.20 δ ¹⁸O + 9.1. The lower slope and intercept (when compared with the Global Meteoric Water Line) are typical for a warm dry climate, where subcloud evaporation of raindrops is experienced. A previously published model to estimate the degree of subcloud evaporation and the subsequent isotopic modification of raindrops was enhanced to include the vertical temperature and humidity profile. The modelled results for raindrops of 1.0 mm radius showed that on average, the measured D‐excess (=δ ²H ? 8 δ ¹⁸O) was 19.8‰ lower than that at the base of the cloud, and 18% of the moisture was evaporated before ground level (smaller effects were modelled for larger raindrops). After estimating the isotopic signature at the base of the cloud, a number of data points still plotted below the global meteoric water line, suggesting that some of the moisture was sourced from previously evaporated water. Back trajectory analysis estimated that 38% of the moisture was sourced over land. Precipitation samples for which a larger proportion of the moisture was sourced over land were ¹⁸O and ²H‐enriched in comparison to samples for which the majority of the moisture was sourced over the ocean. The most common weather systems resulting in precipitation were inland trough systems; however, only East Coast Lows contributed to a significant difference in the isotopic values. Copyright © 2016 Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation. Hydrological Processes. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Water isotopic variability in Mallorca: a path to understanding past changes in hydroclimate

This paper reports the first results on δ¹⁸O and δ²H analysis of precipitations, cave drip waters, and groundwaters from sites in Mallorca (Balearic Islands, western Mediterranean), a key region for paleoclimate studies. Understanding the isotopic variability and the sources of moisture in modern climate systems is required to develop speleothem isotope‐based climate reconstructions. The stable isotopic composition of precipitation was analysed in samples collected between March 2012 and March 2013. The values are in the range reported by GNIP Palma station. Based on these results, the local meteoric water line (LMWL) δ²H = 7.9 (±0.3) δ¹⁸O + 10.8 (±2.5) was derived, with slightly lower slope than Global Meteoric Water Line. The results help tracking two main sources of air masses affecting the study sites: rain events with the highest δ¹⁸O values (> ?5‰) originate over the Mediterranean Sea, whereas the more depleted samples (< ?8‰) are sourced in the North Atlantic region. The back trajectory analysis and deuterium excess values, ranging from 0.4 to 18.4‰, further support our findings. To assess the isotopic variation across the island, water samples from eight caves were collected. The δ¹⁸O values range between ?6.9 and ?1.6‰. With one exception (Artà), the isotopic composition of waters in caves located along the coast (Drac, Vallgornera, Cala Varques, Tancada, and Son Sant Martí) indicates Mediterranean‐sourced moisture masses. By contrast, the drip water δ¹⁸O values for inland caves (Campanet, ses Rates Pinyades) or developed under a thick (>50 m) limestone cap (Artà) exhibit more negative values. A well‐homogenized aquifer supplied by rainwaters of both origins is clearly indicated by groundwater δ¹⁸O values, which show to be within 2.4‰ of the unweighted arithmetic mean of ?7.4‰. Although limited, the isotopic data presented here constitute the baseline for future studies using speleothem δ¹⁸O records for western Mediterranean paleoclimate reconstructions. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The stable isotope composition of Dead Sea waters

Dead Sea waters are moderately enriched in¹⁸O; the degree of enrichment constitutes a balance between the dilution by freshwater influx and the isotope fractionation which accompanies evaporative water loss and vapour exchange with the atmospheric moisture. Modelling of the seasonal cycle and long-term trends of δ¹⁸O, in response to the changes in the environmental parameters, shows that the major control is exercised by the salinity of the surface waters, through its effect on the vapour pressure gradient between the lake's surface and the atmosphere; the (steady state) isotopic composition of the more saline brines tends towards less enriched¹⁸O values. This fact can explain the relatively high δ¹⁸O levels encountered in the Lisan formation, which was deposited from Lake Lisan, —the less saline Pleistocene precursor of the Dead Sea.     

Spatial variation of isotope composition in precipitation in a tropical environment: a case study from the Deduru Oya river basin,Sri Lanka

The stable isotope composition (¹⁸O and ²H) in the tropical precipitation collected from 18 locations throughout the Deduru Oya river basin in Sri Lanka, has been studied during August and September 2001, in order to characterize the isotopic composition of precipitation in the dry and intermediate climatic zones of Sri Lanka. The isotope compositions are described with respect to the distance from the coast and the altitude. The analyses show that δ¹⁸O vary from ? 5·11 to 1·39‰ and δD vary from ? 35·71 to 12·55‰. The d‐excess values range from ? 0·65 to 13·17 with an average value of ～7. Regression for the δ¹⁸O ? δD is y = 6·8x + 4·9 (R² = 0·9) which is compatible with the precipitation in other tropical regions. The lower slope in the regression line and the lower d‐excess value indicate high temperature events which were possibly aided by concentration through successive evaporation within the atmosphere. The spatial variation of isotope composition indicates two different cloud contributions for the rain events, of which one may be linked to the Indian Ocean contribution and the other to the high altitude condensation. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An isotopic calibration study of precipitation,cave dripwater,and climate in west‐central Florida

A calibration study of oxygen and hydrogen isotopic composition from precipitation and cave dripwater was conducted in west‐central Florida at Legend Cave during 2007–2008. This study was performed to better understand how modern precipitation patterns can be discerned through examination of cave dripwater and speleothem calcite for paleoclimate reconstruction. The ‘amount effect’ was shown to be a dominant control on the oxygen isotopic composition of precipitation for the study area. A meteoric water line with a slope of 6·7 suggests evaporative effects occur either during precipitation or subsequent hydrological processes. However, δ¹⁸O values of cave dripwater averaged near the mean annual amount‐weighted average of precipitation, suggesting that the isotopic composition of dripwater tracks the long‐term average of rainfall. An observed weak seasonal influence occurred in the d‐excess values, with summer precipitation being more enriched due to increased evaporative effects. Comparison of precipitation δ¹⁸O values to synoptic weather data shows the dominant amount effect influence occurs due to strong convective storms producing highly ¹⁸O‐depleted rainfall at greater amounts during the year. Constant δ¹⁸O values of the dripwater indicate that paleoclimate reconstructions using speleothems from this area would record changes in annual to interannual shifts in precipitation amount above the cave. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Seasonal variations in the isotopic composition of leaf and stem water from an arid region of Southeast Asia

Abstract

Stable isotopes are powerful research tools in environmental sciences and their use in ecosystem research is increasing. Stable isotope measurements allow the study of evapotranspiration fluxes, soil evaporation and leaf transpiration phenomena. Soil water and leaf water are the sources of the evapotranspiration that transfers large quantities of water from land to the atmosphere; as a result the isotopic composition of water left in the leaves is modified towards enrichment. Evaporation also changes the isotopic composition of water bodies creating a natural isotopic signal. The isotopic identity of soil water affects the oxygen isotopic signature of leaf and stem water. In this paper we present the isotopic data of bulk leaf water, showing the enrichment in isotopic value of oxygen due to evapotranspiration from leaves in conjunction with the isotopic signal of rainwater and other environmental factors such as humidity and temperature. Results suggest that the variation in the values of δ¹⁸O of Eucalyptus citriodora, Dalbergia sissoo, Melia azedarach and Pinus roxburghii is due to the seasonal changes in the δ¹⁸O of the source water for plants, i. e. rain. It is further observed that leaf water δ¹⁸O values are depleted during the months of July, August and September. This occurs due to the following reasons: (a) the sampling areas receive about 50% of the average annual rain during these months, and (b) rainfalls during these months are isotopically depleted compared with winter rains.

Citation Butt, S., Ali, M., Fazil, M. & Latif, Z. (2010) Seasonal variations in the isotopic composition of leaf and stem water from an arid region of Southeast Asia. Hydrol. Sci. J. 55(5), 844–848.     

Controls on stable isotopic characteristics of water vapour over Thailand

This study examined the weekly water vapour isotopic composition (δ¹⁸O_v) in Thailand. The water vapour was cryogenically collected from eight sites across the country. Two observational samples were collected over one 24-h period each week (a daytime and a night-time sample), from September 2013 to September 2014. The primary aim was to investigate the environmental factors influencing water vapour isotopes. The results revealed differences in water vapour isotopic values between day and night samples. Three periods of depleted δ¹⁸O_v were associated with large-scale convective systems in September, December, and May. The statistical relationship between the climate variables and water vapour isotopes indicated that the amount of precipitation and relative humidity were the primary controls on both diurnal and seasonal isotopic variability. The temperature did not affect the δ¹⁸O_v, mainly because the atmospheric processes are a function of vertical convection rather than temperature in tropical regions. The water vapour deuterium excess (d-excess) showed greater variability in 2013 than in 2014. The d-excess variation reflected the differences in convection occurring in the day and night. In addition, the vapour phase data were combined with the local meteoric water line to identify the local water vapour line and the interaction between the isotopic composition of water vapour and liquid water. The water vapour isotopic patterns paralleled the precipitation isotopes on rainy days because of equilibrium isotopic exchange. Water vapour and precipitation were isotopically similar under low humidity but showed greater differences from each other under wetter conditions. The study results provide insight into water vapour isotopic characteristics in tropical regions and constrain the role of large-scale atmospheric processes relative to isotopic variability of water vapour in Thailand and nearby countries.     

Local meteoric water lines describe extratropical precipitation

Stable water isotopes δ¹⁸O and δ²H are used to investigate precipitation trends and storm dynamics to advance knowledge of precipitation patterns in a warming world. Herein, δ¹⁸O and δ²H were used to determine the relationship between extratropical cyclonic precipitation and local meteoric water lines (LMWLs) in the eastern Ohio Valley and the eastern United States. Precipitation volume weighted and unweighted central Ohio LMWLs, created with samples collected during 2012–2018, showed that temperature had the greatest effect on precipitation isotopic composition. HYSPLIT back trajectory modelling showed that precipitation was primarily derived from a mid-continental moisture source. Remnants of major hurricanes were collected as extratropical precipitation during the 2012–2018 sampling period in central Ohio. Extratropical precipitation samples were not significantly different from the samples that created the central Ohio LMWL. Six additional LMWLs were derived from United States Geological Survey (USGS) Atmospheric Integrated Research Monitoring Network (AIRMoN) samples collected in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Tennessee, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Oxford, Ohio. Meteoric water lines describing published samples from Superstorm Sandy, plotted with these AIRMoN LMWLs, showed isotopic composition of Superstorm Sandy precipitation was commonly more depleted than the average isotopic composition at the mid-latitude locations. Meteoric water lines describing the Superstorm Sandy precipitation were not significantly different in slope from LMWLs generated within 300 km of the USGS AIRMoN site. This finding, which was observed across the eastern Ohio Valley and eastern United States, demonstrated a consistent precipitation δ²H–δ¹⁸O relationship for extratropical cyclonic and non-cyclonic events. This work also facilitates the analysis of storm development based on the relationship between extratropical event signature and the LMWL. Analysis of extratropical precipitation in relation to LMWLs along storm tracks allows for stronger development of precipitation models and understanding of which climatic and atmospheric factors determine the isotopic composition of precipitation.     

Flow dynamics of groundwater and soil water in the former heap Gessenhalde at the uranium mining area of Ronneburg: a stable isotope approach

Stable isotopes, ²H_water, ¹⁸O_water as well as ¹⁸O_sulphate and ³⁴S_sulphate, were used to study the flow system of shallow groundwater and soil water at the base area of a former leaching heap at the uranium mining area of Ronneburg, Germany. The flow paths and water‐retention times were estimated by comparison of δ²H and δ¹⁸O values in groundwater and soil water to the δ²H and δ¹⁸O signature of precipitation, giving distinctive inputs of summer or winter precipitation. The points of measuring the groundwater were divided into three categories with different flow conditions: rapid flow, stagnant conditions and a transition zone by hierarchical cluster analysis of δ²H and δ¹⁸O values of groundwater. The transit time of groundwater in the rapid flow area is less than 6 months, whereas water in the stagnant zone is stored for at least 1 year. In soil water, a clear response to different input signals is detectable only in the 30‐cm horizon (retention time is about 6 months), whereas at deeper levels a mixing with older water is taking place. The isotopic composition of the dissolved sulphate was used to identify oxidation of sulphides as the source of sulphate. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

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.