Correlation of the seasonal isotopic amplitude of precipitation with annual evaporation and altitude in alpine regions

The time series of stable water isotope composition relative to IAEA-GNIP meteorological stations located in alpine zones are analyzed in order to study how the amplitude of the seasonal isotopic composition of precipitation (Aδ) varies along a vertical transect. A clear relationship between Aδ and...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Science of the total environment 2016-04, Vol.550, p.27-37
Main Authors: Jódar, J., Custodio, E., Liotta, M., Lambán, L.J., Herrera, C., Martos-Rosillo, S., Sapriza, G., Rigo, T.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alpine precipitation
Environmental isotopes
Evaporation
Moisture source regions
Seasonal isotopic amplitude
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Summary:The time series of stable water isotope composition relative to IAEA-GNIP meteorological stations located in alpine zones are analyzed in order to study how the amplitude of the seasonal isotopic composition of precipitation (Aδ) varies along a vertical transect. A clear relationship between Aδ and local evaporation is obtained, with slopes of −0.87 ‰/100mm/yr and −7.3 ‰/100mm/yr for Aδ18O and Aδ2H, respectively. When all sampling points of the vertical transect receive the same moisture sources, then a linear relationship between Aδ and elevation is obtained, with vertical gradients of 0.16 ‰/100mm/yr and 1.46 ‰/100mm/yr forAδ18O and Aδ2H, respectively. [Display omitted] •Amplitude of seasonal isotopic composition of rainfall depends on local evaporation.•Isotopic amplitude depends on elevation if the air moisture sources are common.•Local evaporation is controlled by atmospheric local and synoptic conditions.
ISSN:0048-9697
1879-1026
DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.12.034