The Complexity of Moisture Sources Affects the Altitude Effect of Stable Isotopes of Precipitation in Inland Mountainous Regions

Abstract From a global perspective, the stable isotope altitude effect is crucial for understanding climate information. However, the intensity of this effect can be influenced by the source of moisture, particularly in inland mountainous regions where the moisture sources are complex. Different com...

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Main Authors: Longhu Chen, Guofeng Zhu, Xinrui Lin, Rui Li, Siyu Lu, Yinying Jiao, Dongdong Qiu, Gaojia Meng, Qinqin Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2024-06-01
Series:Water Resources Research
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1029/2023WR036084
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author Longhu Chen
Guofeng Zhu
Xinrui Lin
Rui Li
Siyu Lu
Yinying Jiao
Dongdong Qiu
Gaojia Meng
Qinqin Wang
author_facet Longhu Chen
Guofeng Zhu
Xinrui Lin
Rui Li
Siyu Lu
Yinying Jiao
Dongdong Qiu
Gaojia Meng
Qinqin Wang
author_sort Longhu Chen
collection DOAJ
description Abstract From a global perspective, the stable isotope altitude effect is crucial for understanding climate information. However, the intensity of this effect can be influenced by the source of moisture, particularly in inland mountainous regions where the moisture sources are complex. Different combinations of moisture sources might affect the altitude effect. Focusing on the upper Shiyang River in the northern part of the Qilian Mountains in China, this study calculated the proportion of recycled moisture in precipitation and utilized the HYSPLIT model to determine the source of advective moisture. It explored the characteristics and mechanisms by which moisture sources affect the spatiotemporal variations in precipitation isotope effects within the study area. The findings indicated that: (a) The altitude effect follows a seasonal pattern: winter < autumn < spring < summer, with a reverse effect in winter. (b) As the contribution of recycled moisture to precipitation increases, the altitude effect of stable isotopes weakens, primarily due to the disruptive influence of recycled moisture on this effect. (c) The altitude effect of stable isotopes in precipitation is determined by the direction of the moisture source and its attributes. When the primary source of advective moisture runs perpendicular to the mountain range and the moisture migration speed is slow, the altitude effect is pronounced. Thus, although temperature directly causes the altitude effect, water vapor sources significantly influence it in inland mountainous regions.
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spelling doaj-art-07c49d4ee7384066a5e84b8a2f0e38e42025-08-20T02:09:25ZengWileyWater Resources Research0043-13971944-79732024-06-01606n/an/a10.1029/2023WR036084The Complexity of Moisture Sources Affects the Altitude Effect of Stable Isotopes of Precipitation in Inland Mountainous RegionsLonghu Chen0Guofeng Zhu1Xinrui Lin2Rui Li3Siyu Lu4Yinying Jiao5Dongdong Qiu6Gaojia Meng7Qinqin Wang8College of Geography and Environmental Science Northwest Normal University Lanzhou ChinaCollege of Geography and Environmental Science Northwest Normal University Lanzhou ChinaCollege of Geography and Environmental Science Northwest Normal University Lanzhou ChinaCollege of Geography and Environmental Science Northwest Normal University Lanzhou ChinaCollege of Geography and Environmental Science Northwest Normal University Lanzhou ChinaCollege of Geography and Environmental Science Northwest Normal University Lanzhou ChinaCollege of Geography and Environmental Science Northwest Normal University Lanzhou ChinaCollege of Geography and Environmental Science Northwest Normal University Lanzhou ChinaCollege of Geography and Environmental Science Northwest Normal University Lanzhou ChinaAbstract From a global perspective, the stable isotope altitude effect is crucial for understanding climate information. However, the intensity of this effect can be influenced by the source of moisture, particularly in inland mountainous regions where the moisture sources are complex. Different combinations of moisture sources might affect the altitude effect. Focusing on the upper Shiyang River in the northern part of the Qilian Mountains in China, this study calculated the proportion of recycled moisture in precipitation and utilized the HYSPLIT model to determine the source of advective moisture. It explored the characteristics and mechanisms by which moisture sources affect the spatiotemporal variations in precipitation isotope effects within the study area. The findings indicated that: (a) The altitude effect follows a seasonal pattern: winter < autumn < spring < summer, with a reverse effect in winter. (b) As the contribution of recycled moisture to precipitation increases, the altitude effect of stable isotopes weakens, primarily due to the disruptive influence of recycled moisture on this effect. (c) The altitude effect of stable isotopes in precipitation is determined by the direction of the moisture source and its attributes. When the primary source of advective moisture runs perpendicular to the mountain range and the moisture migration speed is slow, the altitude effect is pronounced. Thus, although temperature directly causes the altitude effect, water vapor sources significantly influence it in inland mountainous regions.https://doi.org/10.1029/2023WR036084stable isotopes of precipitationaltitude effectmoisture sourcesinside the continent
spellingShingle Longhu Chen
Guofeng Zhu
Xinrui Lin
Rui Li
Siyu Lu
Yinying Jiao
Dongdong Qiu
Gaojia Meng
Qinqin Wang
The Complexity of Moisture Sources Affects the Altitude Effect of Stable Isotopes of Precipitation in Inland Mountainous Regions
Water Resources Research
stable isotopes of precipitation
altitude effect
moisture sources
inside the continent
title The Complexity of Moisture Sources Affects the Altitude Effect of Stable Isotopes of Precipitation in Inland Mountainous Regions
title_full The Complexity of Moisture Sources Affects the Altitude Effect of Stable Isotopes of Precipitation in Inland Mountainous Regions
title_fullStr The Complexity of Moisture Sources Affects the Altitude Effect of Stable Isotopes of Precipitation in Inland Mountainous Regions
title_full_unstemmed The Complexity of Moisture Sources Affects the Altitude Effect of Stable Isotopes of Precipitation in Inland Mountainous Regions
title_short The Complexity of Moisture Sources Affects the Altitude Effect of Stable Isotopes of Precipitation in Inland Mountainous Regions
title_sort complexity of moisture sources affects the altitude effect of stable isotopes of precipitation in inland mountainous regions
topic stable isotopes of precipitation
altitude effect
moisture sources
inside the continent
url https://doi.org/10.1029/2023WR036084
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