Abstract
Many climate proxies in geological archives are dependent on the isotopic content of precipitation (δ18Op), which over sub-annual timescales has been linked to temperature, condensation height, atmospheric circulation, and post-condensation exchanges in the western U.S. However, many proxies do not resolve temporal changes finer than interannual-scales. This study explores causes of the interannual variations in δ18Op within the western U.S. Simulations with the Isotope-incorporated Global Spectral Model (IsoGSM) revealed an amplifying influence of post-condensation exchanges (i.e., raindrop evaporation and vapor equilibration) on interannual δ18Op variations throughout the western U.S. Mid-latitude and subtropical vapor tagging simulations showed that the influence of moisture advection on δ18Op was relatively strong in the Pacific Northwest, but weak over the rest of the western U.S. The vapor tags correlated well with interannual variations in the 18O/16O composition of vapor, an indication that isotopes in vapor trace atmospheric circulation. However, vertical-tagging simulations revealed a strong influence of condensation height on δ18Op in California. In the interior of the western U.S., a strong temperature effect was found only after annual mean temperatures were weighted by monthly precipitation totals. These multiple influences on δ18Op complicate interpretations of western U.S. climate proxies that are derived from isotopes in precipitation.
Highlights
IntroductionStable oxygen and hydrogen isotopes (primarily 18O and deuterium) preserved in geological archives are commonly used as proxies of past climatic changes (e.g., see reviews: [1,2,3,4])
Stable oxygen and hydrogen isotopes preserved in geological archives are commonly used as proxies of past climatic changes
The modeling results suggest that interannual variations in precipitation δ values in the western U.S
Summary
Stable oxygen and hydrogen isotopes (primarily 18O and deuterium) preserved in geological archives are commonly used as proxies of past climatic changes (e.g., see reviews: [1,2,3,4]). Many of these proxies are derived from meteoric waters and record temporal variations in the isotopic composition of precipitation Δ = R/RSTANDARD − 1, where R is the heavy to light isotope ratio) It is important for the interpretation of climate proxies to better understand the causes of temporal variations in δ18Op within a given region. This study focuses on the western U.S, with the intent to understand the primary influences on the year-to-year changes in δ18Op
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