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Influence of Summer Sublimation on δD, δ 18 O, and δ 17 O in Precipitation, East Antarctica, and Implications for Climate Reconstruction From Ice Cores
Author(s) -
Pang Hongxi,
Hou Shugui,
Landais Amaelle,
MassonDelmotte Valérie,
Jouzel Jean,
SteenLarsen Hans Christian,
Risi Camille,
Zhang Wangbin,
Wu Shuangye,
Li Yuansheng,
An Chunlei,
Wang Yetang,
Prie Frederic,
Minster Bénédicte,
Falourd Sonia,
Stenni Barbara,
Scarchilli Claudio,
Fujita Koji,
Grigioni Paolo
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: atmospheres
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2169-8996
pISSN - 2169-897X
DOI - 10.1029/2018jd030218
Subject(s) - sublimation (psychology) , snow , precipitation , ice core , water vapor , moisture , atmospheric sciences , environmental science , humidity , geology , climatology , chemistry , meteorology , geomorphology , geography , organic chemistry , psychotherapist , psychology
In central Antarctica, where accumulation rates are very low, summer sublimation of surface snow is a key element of the surface mass balance, but its fingerprint in isotopic composition of water (δD, δ 18 O, and δ 17 O) remains unclear. In this study, we examined the influence of summer sublimation on δD, δ 18 O, and δ 17 O in precipitation using data sets of isotopic composition of precipitation at various sites on the inland East Antarctica. We found unexpectedly low δ 18 O values in the summer precipitation, decoupled from surface air temperatures. This feature can be explained by the combined effects of weak or nonexistent temperature inversion and moisture recycling associated with sublimation‐condensation processes in summer. Isotopic fractionation during the moisture‐recycling process also explains the observed high values of d‐excess and 17 O‐excess in summer precipitation. Our results suggest that the local cycle of sublimation‐condensation in summer is an important process for the isotopic composition of surface snow, water vapor, and consequently precipitation on inland East Antarctica.