Journal article

Publication year: 2012

Pages: 531-540

Journal: Chinese Geographical Science

Volume number: 22

Issue number: 5

ISSN: 1002-0063

eISSN: 1993-064X

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11769-012-0543-z

Publisher: Springer

Abstract: 
Under the increasing pressure of water shortage and steppe degradation, information on the hydrological cycle in steppe region in Inner Mongolia, China is urgently needed. An intensive investigation of the temporal variations of delta D and delta O-18 in precipitation was conducted in 2007-2008 in the Xilin River Basin, Inner Mongolia in the northern China. The delta D and delta O-18 values for 54 precipitation samples range from +1.1aEuro degrees to -34.7aEuro degrees and -3.0aEuro degrees to -269aEuro degrees, respectively. This wide range indicates that stable isotopes in precipitation are primarily controlled by different condensation mechanisms as a function of air temperature and varying sources of vapor. The relationship between delta D and delta O-18 defined a well constrained line given by delta D = 7.89 delta (18) O + 9.5, which is nearly identical to the Meteoric Water Line in the northern China. The temperature effect is clearly displayed in this area. The results of backward trajectory of each precipitation day show that the vapor of the precipitation in cold season (October to March) mainly originates from the west while the moisture source is more complicated in warm season (April to September). A light precipitation amount effect existes at the precipitation event scale in this area. The vapor source of precipitation with higher d-excesses are mainly from the west wind or neighboring inland area and precipitation with lower d-excesses from a monsoon source from the southeastern China.

Harvard Citation style: Wu Jinkui, Ding Yongjian, Ye Baisheng, Yang Qiyue, Hou Dianjiong and Xue Liyang (2012) Stable isotopes in precipitation in Xilin River Basin, northern China and their implications, Chinese Geographical Science, 22(5), pp. 531-540. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11769-012-0543-z

APA Citation style: Wu Jinkui, Ding Yongjian, Ye Baisheng, Yang Qiyue, Hou Dianjiong, & Xue Liyang (2012). Stable isotopes in precipitation in Xilin River Basin, northern China and their implications. Chinese Geographical Science. 22(5), 531-540. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11769-012-0543-z