Interannual variation of water isotopologues at Vostok indicates a contribution from stratospheric water vapor.

ABSTRACT: Combined measurements of water isotopologues of a snow pit at Vostok over the past 60 y reveal a unique signature that cannot be explained only by climatic features as usually done. Comparisons of the data using a general circulation model and a simpler isotopic distillation model reveal a stratospheric signature in the (17)O-excess record at Vostok. Our data and theoretical considerations indicate that mass-independent fractionation imprints the isotopic signature of stratospheric water vapor, which may allow for a distinction between stratospheric and tropospheric influences at remote East Antarctic sites.

SUBMITTER: Winkler R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3816450 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature