Premium
Amount‐weighted annual isotopic ( δ 18 O) values are affected by the seasonality of precipitation: A sensitivity study
Author(s) -
Vachon R. W.,
White J. W. C.,
Gutmann E.,
Welker J. M.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2007gl030547
Subject(s) - precipitation , seasonality , environmental science , climatology , isotope , stable isotope ratio , climate change , atmospheric sciences , physical geography , geology , geography , meteorology , oceanography , ecology , physics , quantum mechanics , biology
Year to year differences in the isotopes of precipitation ( δ 18 O) are typically attributed to corresponding interannual changes in mean annual temperature. However, changes in the seasonal distribution of precipitation are one of the main complicating factors in interpreting year to year variability of isotopes of precipitation. Using a five year dataset with 73 sites across the United States, we investigate the influence of changes in seasonal distribution of precipitation on annually averaged δ 18 O. Based on these δ 18 O measurements, and using multi‐decadal records of variability of monthly precipitation amounts, we identify areas within the United States where records of isotopes in precipitation are susceptible to changes in the seasonal distribution of precipitation. For the three regions, Northern Great Plains, the Rocky Mountains, and the Southwest, seasonality effects could be misinterpreted as 1°C to 3°C temperature changes between years. These findings will improve and possibly change our interpretation of climate isotopic climate records and provide spatially explicit areas where classic interpretations require caution.