Isotopic variations in atmospheric moisture in the Great Plains region

Madhav V. Machavaram, Mark E. Conrad, and Norman L. Miller

Contact: Madhav V. Machavaram, 510/486-5026, mvmachavaram @ lbl.gov

Research Objectives

The stable isotopic composition of atmospheric water vapor at a given region is determined by its source and subsequent admixture and condensation processes. The most dynamic changes in the water cycle occur in the atmospheric part of the cycle. Thus, the variation in the stable isotope ratios of atmospheric vapor provides critical information about the locally evapo-transpired moisture. In our work, we analyzed atmospheric vapor samples to improve predictability, in part by integrating stable isotope variations into climatological models.

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