Analysis of the origins and implications of the18O content of stratospheric water vapor

Abstract

Factors influencing the18O content of stratospheric H2O are reviewed in order to provide a theoretical framework for the interpretation of measurements of this quantity, which are now becoming available. Depletions in18O of 5–10% in stratospheric H2O are expected based on the known correlation between that of D and18O in tropospheric H2O and observed measurements of large (typically 50%) depletions of D in stratospheric H2O. H2O formed in the stratosphere as a result of oxidation of CH4 can be expected to reflect primarily the18O content of stratospheric O2, which is the same as that of tropospheric O2 (slightly enhanced with respect to standard mean ocean water). Thus, a reduction in the18O depletion is expected with increasing altitude, but not a large enhancement in18O in upper stratospheric H2O as found in recent far infrared measurements. The observed large enhancement of18O in stratospheric O3 is not expected to be reflected in stratospheric H2O. Necessary laboratory data for the improved quantification of these effects are reviewed.