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Isotopic composition of single rain events in the central Mediterranean
Author(s)
Language
English
Obiettivo Specifico
3.7. Dinamica del clima e dell'oceano
Status
Published
JCR Journal
JCR Journal
Peer review journal
Yes
Title of the book
Issue/vol(year)
/113 (2008)
Publisher
AGU
Pages (printed)
D16304
Issued date
August 20, 2008
Alternative Location
Keywords
Abstract
The ratios of stable isotopes of single rain events were investigated during the period October 2005 to September 2006 in the central Mediterranean. Clear seasonal trends were identified in both oxygen isotope ratios and the deuterium-excess parameter, and these were ascribed to the dominant circulation systems during both cold and hot intraannual periods. Rain events were classified on the basis of the origin of rain-bearing systems. Air masses coming from the south usually give rise to rainwater with a low deuterium excess. Air masses coming from the north and the northeast are often dry and cold, and are associated with high evaporation from the Mediterranean Sea that occurs under isotopic nonequilibrium conditions. Kinetic fractionation enhances lighter isotopomers in the vapor phase, increasing the deuterium excess. During cold periods large vapor fluxes from the Mediterranean Sea, as estimated by the ECMWF (European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts), usually precede rain events with a high deuterium excess. However, the isotope signatures of the Mediterranean moisture contribution may be masked by the original isotope content of the circulating air masses and/or by secondary evaporation effects.
References
Liotta, M., S. Bellissimo, R. Favara, and M. Valenza (2008), Isotopic composition of single rain events in the central Mediterranean, J. Geophys. Res., 113, D16304, doi:10.1029/2008JD009996.
Type
article
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Liotta et al 2008jgr.pdf
Size
2.76 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
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