Interpolating the isotopic composition of modern meteoric precipitation

An accurate representation of the spatial distribution of stable hydrogen and oxygen isotopes in modern precipitation is required for many hydrological, paleoclimate, and ecological applications. No standardized method for achieving such a representation exists, and potential errors associated with previously employed methods are not understood. Using resampling, we test the accuracy of interpolated δD and δ18O estimates made using four methods. Prediction error for all methods is strongly related to number of data and will likely decline with the addition of new data. The best method lowers estimation error by 10–15% relative to others tested and gives an average error, using all available data, ≈2.5% of the global range. We present and interpret global maps of interpolated δD, δ18O, and deuterium excess in precipitation and the 95% confidence intervals for these values created using the optimal method. These depict global and regional patterns, make evident the robustness of interpolated isotopic patterns, and highlight target areas for future precipitation sampling.

[1]  S. J. Birks,et al.  Maps and animations offer new opportunities for studying the global water cycle , 2002 .

[2]  H. Birks,et al.  Holocene changes in atmospheric circulation recorded in the oxygen-isotope stratigraphy of lacustrine carbonates from northern Sweden , 2002 .

[3]  Gabriel J. Bowen,et al.  Spatial distribution of δ18O in meteoric precipitation , 2002 .

[4]  M. Stiévenard,et al.  Fossil water in large stalagmite voids as a tool for paleoprecipitation stable isotope composition reconstitution and paleotemperature calculation , 2002 .

[5]  D. Pollard,et al.  Simulation of stable water isotope variations by the GENESIS GCM for modern conditions , 2002 .

[6]  B. Wolfe,et al.  Reconstruction of paleohydrology and paleohumidity from oxygen isotope records in the Bolivian Andes , 2001 .

[7]  C. Kendall,et al.  Distribution of oxygen‐18 and deuterium in river waters across the United States , 2001 .

[8]  J. Welker.  Isotopic (δ18O) characteristics of weekly precipitation collected across the USA : an initial analysis with application to water source studies , 2000 .

[9]  C. Chamberlain,et al.  Isotopic evidence for Holocene climate change in the northern Rockies from a goethite-rich ferricrete chronosequence , 2000 .

[10]  C. Chamberlain,et al.  Reconstructing the paleotopography of mountain belts from the isotopic composition of authigenic minerals , 2000 .

[11]  Kwang-Sik Lee,et al.  Using H- and O-isotopic data for estimating the relative contributions of rainy and dry season precipitation to groundwater : example from Cheju Island, Korea , 1999 .

[12]  R. Pierrehumbert,et al.  Huascaran δ18O as an indicator of tropical climate during the Last Glacial Maximum , 1999 .

[13]  R. C. Reynolds,et al.  Topographic development of the Southern Alps recorded by the isotopic composition of authigenic clay minerals, South Island, New Zealand , 1999 .

[14]  Z. Sharp,et al.  Fossil isotope records of seasonal climate and ecology: Straight from the horse's mouth , 1998 .

[15]  E. Boyle.  Cool tropical temperatures shift the global δ18O‐T relationship: An explanation for the ice core δ18O ‐ borehole thermometry conflict? , 1997 .

[16]  K. Hobson,et al.  Linking breeding and wintering grounds of neotropical migrant songbirds using stable hydrogen isotopic analysis of feathers , 1997, Oecologia.

[17]  J. Peixoto,et al.  The Climatology of Relative Humidity in the Atmosphere , 1996 .

[18]  B. Wolfe,et al.  Influence of Changing Atmospheric Circulation on Precipitation δ18O–Temperature Relations in Canada during the Holocene , 1996, Quaternary Research.

[19]  C. Kendall,et al.  The contribution of evaporation from the Great Lakes to the continental atmosphere: estimate based on stable isotope data , 1994 .

[20]  J. Jouzel,et al.  Evidence for general instability of past climate from a 250-kyr ice-core record , 1993, Nature.

[21]  E. Grossman,et al.  Oxygen isotopes in meteoric calcite cements as indicators of continental paleoclimate , 1991 .

[22]  Larry J. Ruff,et al.  How good are our best models? Jackknifing, bootstrapping, and earthquake depth , 1989 .

[23]  J. Jouzel,et al.  Global Climatic Interpretation of the Deuterium-Oxygen 18 Relationship , 1979 .

[24]  C. Emiliani.  Quaternary Paleotemperatures and the Duration of the High-Temperature Intervals , 1972, Science.

[25]  G. P. Cressman,et al.  AN OPERATIONAL OBJECTIVE ANALYSIS SYSTEM , 1959 .

[26]  A. Jahren,et al.  Eocene Meridional Weather Patterns Reflected in the Oxygen Isotopes of Arctic Fossil Wood , 2002 .

[27]  B. Wilkinson,et al.  Spatial distribution of d18O in meteoric precipitation , 2002 .

[28]  S. Burns,et al.  Isotopic evidence for late Quaternary climatic change in tropical South America , 2000 .

[29]  R. Koster,et al.  Water isotopes in precipitation:. data/model comparison for present-day and past climates , 2000 .

[30]  R. Amundson,et al.  Isotopic evidence for shifts in atmospheric circulation patterns during the late Quaternary in mid–North America , 1996 .

[31]  P. Swart,et al.  Climate change in continental isotopic records , 1993 .