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

Sinclair, Kate E.; Marshall, Shawn J.; Moran, Tara

doi:10.1002/hyp.7973

Cited by 27 publications

(21 citation statements)

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“…In this colder, more topographically complex and higher-elevation site (with limited potential for subcloud processes), we attribute our results to altitudinal effect through adiabatic/orographic forcing of rain out that is consistent with the processes described extensively for depletion of isotopic signatures in more complex terrain [Rozanski et al, 1993;Araguás-Araguás et al, 2000;St. Amour et al, 2010;Sinclair et al, 2011]. Figure 3.…”

Section: Guan Et Almentioning

confidence: 96%

“…Orographic terrain A windward to leeward depletion due to the effect of the elevation effect described above, but may be also due to subcloud processes associated with evaporation on the leeward site of the barrier, with the end result of a windward to leeward trend in depletion in the isotopic value of precipitation. Sinclair et al [2011] Circulatory distillation Where intense circulation of low-pressure systems (such as intense lows and tropical cyclones) act as a fractionation chamber to create highly depleted isotopic signatures of precipitation. [1996], Gedzelman et al [2003], and Nott et al [2007] Origin or synoptic This is a function of numerous factors including the isotopic characteristics of the (predominantly) oceanic source for the evaporated moisture which shows a strong global variability and association with sea surface temperature (SST) and the atmospheric (synoptic) circulation patterns which control the moisture pathway to a precipitation location and result in some of the mechanisms described above due to evaporation-and condensation-related fractionation processes along the moisture pathway.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Drivers of precipitation stable oxygen isotope variability in an alpine setting, Snowy Mountains, Australia

Callow

McGowan

Warren

et al. 2014

J. Geophys. Res. Atmos.

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Natural archives that preserve a stable isotopic signature are routinely used to reconstruct palaeoenvironmental conditions. Isotopic values of precipitation are known to be influenced by factors such as the amount and type of precipitation, moisture pathway, landscape and terrain factors, and processes associated with precipitation formation and deposition. This study investigates oxygen isotopic variability using real-time rain and snow precipitation data from a moderate altitude (<2250 m above sea level), Southern Hemisphere alpine environment, where the causes of isotopic variability are largely unknown. Previous research at Global Network of Isotopes in Precipitation sites skewed toward rain precipitation, low-altitude, predominantly coastal locations identified amount effects as the dominant explanation of isotopic variability in southern Australia. This study based on within-and between-event real-time sampling finds that the origin of moisture and terrain effects are the dominant cause of isotopic variability in this alpine region, with little evidence of amount effects. Rainfall that originated from similar Southern Ocean latitudes showed a consistent (moderate) isotopic signature (δ ) were found also. These results have significant implications for understanding atmospheric drivers of isotopic variability from which oxygen isotope-based palaeoclimate reconstruction is informed in regions with complex topography and geographically diverse moisture pathways such as the Australian Alps.

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Section: Guan Et Almentioning

confidence: 96%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Drivers of precipitation stable oxygen isotope variability in an alpine setting, Snowy Mountains, Australia

Callow

McGowan

Warren

et al. 2014

J. Geophys. Res. Atmos.

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“…Snow accumulation at the site is governed by westerly (Pacific) air masses, which release moisture due to orographic uplift on the windward side on the continental divide (Sinclair et al, 2011). Regional snow accumulation totals on the continental divide of the Canadian Rocky Mountains are on the order of 1000-2000 mm water equivalent (w.e.)…”

Section: Surface Mass Balancementioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of high-order mechanics on simulation of glacier response to climate change: insights from Haig Glacier, Canadian Rocky Mountains

Adhikari

Marshall

2013

The Cryosphere

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Abstract. Evolution of glaciers in response to climate change has mostly been simulated using simplified dynamical models. Because these models do not account for the influence of high-order physics, corresponding results may exhibit some biases. For Haig Glacier in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, we test this hypothesis by comparing simulation results obtained from 3-D numerical models that deal with different assumptions concerning physics, ranging from simple shear deformation to comprehensive Stokes flow. In glacier retreat scenarios, we find a minimal role of highorder mechanics in glacier evolution, as geometric effects at our site (the presence of an overdeepened bed) result in limited horizontal movement of ice (flow speed on the order of a few meters per year). Consequently, high-order and reduced models all predict that Haig Glacier ceases to exist by ca. 2080 under ongoing climate warming. The influence of high-order mechanics is evident, however, in glacier advance scenarios, where ice speeds are greater and ice dynamical effects become more important. Although similar studies on other glaciers are essential to generalize such findings, we advise that high-order mechanics are important and therefore should be considered while modeling the evolution of active glaciers. Reduced model predictions may be adequate for other glaciologic and topographic settings, particularly where flow speeds are low and where mass balance changes dominate over ice dynamics in determining glacier geometry.

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“…These studies have been undertaken in North America (Lawrence et al 1982, Friedman et al 2002, Burnett et al 2004, Sjostrom and Welker 2009, Ersek et al 2010, Sinclair et al 2011, Europe (Gat and Carmi 1970, Dirican et al 2003, Baldini et al 2010, Asia (Fudeyasu et al 2011, Liu et al 2011), Australia (Barras and Simmonds 2008 and one looked at precipitation origins in Lake Tanganika, Africa (Lewis et al 2010). Related modeling efforts include atmospheric dynamics and land-atmosphere exchange (Rozanski et al 1982, Yoshimura et al 2003, Henderson-Sellers et al 2006, Levin et al 2009, Yoshimura et al 2010, Zhao et al 2012.…”

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confidence: 99%

Using atmospheric trajectories to model the isotopic composition of rainfall in central Kenya

et al. 2013

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Abstract. The isotopic composition of rainfall (d H and d18 O) is an important tracer in studies of the ecohydrology, plant physiology, climate and biogeochemistry of past and present ecosystems. The overall continental and global patterns in precipitation isotopic composition are fairly well described by condensation temperature and Rayleigh fractionation during rainout. However, these processes do not fully explain the isotopic variability in the tropics, where intra-storm and meso-scale dynamics may dominate. Here we explore the use of atmospheric back-trajectory modeling and associated meteorological variables to explain the large variability observed in the isotopic composition of individual rain events at the study site in central Kenya. Individual rain event samples collected at the study site (n ¼ 41) range from À51% to 31% for d 2 H and the corresponding monthly values (rain volume-weighted) range from À15% to 15%. Using the Hybrid Single Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) model, we map backtrajectories for all individual rain hours occurring at a research station in central Kenya from March 2010 through February 2012 (n ¼ 544). A multiple linear regression analysis demonstrates that a large amount of variation in the isotopic composition of rainfall can be explained by two variables readily obtained from the HYSPLIT model: (1) solar radiation along the trajectory for 48 hours prior to the event, and (2) distance covered over land. We compare the measurements and regression model results to the isotopic composition expected from simple Rayleigh distillation along each trajectory. The empirical relationship described here has applications across temporal scales. For example, it could be used to help predict shortterm changes in the isotopic composition of plant-available water in the absence of event-scale sampling. One can also reconstruct monthly, seasonal and annual weighted mean precipitation isotope signatures for a single location based only on hourly rainfall data and HYSPLIT model results. At the study site in East Africa, the annual weighted mean d 2 H from measured and modeled values are À7.6% and À7.4%, respectively, compared to À18% predicted for the study site by the Online Isotopes in Precipitation Calculator.

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

Cited by 27 publications

References 50 publications

Drivers of precipitation stable oxygen isotope variability in an alpine setting, Snowy Mountains, Australia

Drivers of precipitation stable oxygen isotope variability in an alpine setting, Snowy Mountains, Australia

Influence of high-order mechanics on simulation of glacier response to climate change: insights from Haig Glacier, Canadian Rocky Mountains

Using atmospheric trajectories to model the isotopic composition of rainfall in central Kenya

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