THE TEMPORAL AND SPATIAL VARIATION OF STABLE ISOTOPES IN PRECIPITATION ON THE TIBETAN PLATEAU AND ITS ADJACENT REGIONS*

PDF

  • The temporal and spatial variation on the stable isotopic compositions in precipitation and the relationship with temperature,precipitation and vapor sources are analyzed for the Tibetan Plateau and its adjacent regions.There is no temperature effect in the southern Tibetan Plateau and South Asia.Amount effect has been observed at a few sampling stations that account for about a half of the statistical stations.However,the seasonal variations on the stable isotopic compositions in precipitation at those stations are inconsistent with that of precipitation intensity.There is notable temperature effect in the middle and northern Tibetan Plateau and its adjacent Northwest China.It has been observed that the seasonal variations of the δ18O in precipitation are almost consistent with those of air temperature in these regions.Because vapor is directly originated from lowlatitude oceans,the relative heavy δ18O with small variation characterizes the rainfall in South Asia.A sharp depletion of the stable isotopic compositions in precipitation takes place from Kyangjin on the southern slop of the Himalayas to the Tanggula Mountains in the middle Plateau.The δ18O reaches minimum due to very strong rainout of the vapor from oceans as the vapor rises over the Himalayas.From the Tanggula Mountains to the northern Tibetan Plateau,the δ18O in precipitation increases with increasing latitude and the is otopic situation in the northern Plateau istransferred into Northwest China with little disruption.
  • loading

Catalog

    /

    DownLoad:  Full-Size Img  PowerPoint
    Return
    Return