Studying Dynamics of the South West Monsoon in Indian Sub-Continent through Geospatial Correlation of Isotopes in Air Moisture

Gopal Krishan Ak Lohani

doi:10.4172/2329-6755.1000139

Abstract

The isotopic data of atmospheric air moisture collected from Kakinada in coastal region (Andhra Pradesh), Sagar in Central India (Madhya Pradesh), Kanpur in Indo-Gangetic plains (Uttar Pradesh), Roorkee in foot hills of Shiwalik (Uttarakhand), Jammu in Sub-Himalayan region (Jammu & Kashmir) and Manali in Himalayan region (Himachal Pradesh) measured in Isotope Laboratory of NIH, Roorkee and has been analysed using Matlab to find out the local/ regional component of atmospheric moisture. The isotopic analysis confirms the continental and altitude effects which were earlier deciphered by the precipitation. Further, the isotopic data analysis validates the impact of local moisture on rainfall and help in resolving the moisture sources in different seasons. This analysis further concludes that the isotopic composition of air moisture can be applied for finding the onset of monsoon.

Highlights

The isotopic data analysis validates the impact of local moisture on rainfall and help in resolving the moisture sources in different seasons. This analysis further concludes that the isotopic composition of air moisture can be applied for finding the onset of monsoon
Atmospheric moisture is an important component in the water cycle and its major flux on the Indian subcontinent comes through southwest monsoon that arrives through Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal branches [1]
The process of tracking the journey of water molecules using stable isotopes of oxygen and hydrogen can lead to quantitative understanding of the associated physical processes because of the isotopic fractionation being proportional to the extent the process has advanced

Summary

Introduction

Atmospheric moisture is an important component in the water cycle and its major flux on the Indian subcontinent comes through southwest monsoon that arrives through Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal branches [1]. Using the isotopic signatures of water molecules, it is possible to track the movement of air moisture and the southwest monsoon transect. A network of stations have been established in the southwest monsoon transect by National Institute of Hydrology (NIH), Roorkee for collection of atmospheric moisture samples at Kakinada in 2010 at coastal region (Andhra Pradesh), Sagar in 2008 in Central India (Madhya Pradesh), Kanpur in 2011 in Indo-Gangetic plains (Uttar Pradesh), Roorkee in 2008 at foot hills of Shiwalik (Uttarakhand), Jammu in 2010 in Sub-Himalayan region (Jammu & Kashmir) and Manali in 2011 in Himalayan region (Himachal Pradesh) and the correlation is termed as southwest monsoon transect. The samples were collected at Kakinada, Sagar, Kanpur, Roorkee, Jammu and Manali and the detail of the meteorological parameters of these stations is given in Table 1 and Figure 1

Methodology

Results and Discussion

Conclusions