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An overview of precipitation isotopes over the Extensive Hexi Region in NW China

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Abstract

Until now, most studies of the isotopic composition of precipitation in the Extensive Hexi Region have described individual sites. A systematic study considering the regional atmospheric circulation, the complex topography, and the re-evaporation process is lacking. This paper compares and summarizes previous studies in the Extensive Hexi Region, to provide a regional picture of the characteristics of isotopic composition of precipitation and moisture sources. δ 18O and δD values exhibit significant seasonal variability, with higher values in summer and lower values in winter due to the seasonality of temperature and moisture sources. The temperature effect is more pronounced in the Extensive Hexi Region than in northwest China. The altitude effects are also evident with a gradient of −0.23 ‰/100 m for δ 18O and −1.67 ‰/100 m for δD. But, the d-excess increases gradually with altitude, and the higher d-excess values occur at mountain sampling sites which are attributed to the difference of the secondary evaporation between mountains and plain. Finally, the moisture source in the study area was investigated, and the results show relatively complex patterns: the westerly and polar air masses dominate in winter; however, there are inconsistent results in summer. Whether or not the westerly air mass is the dominant supply of moisture in summer is yet to be determined. Additionally, in the course of reviewing and integrating, some new research questions are identified for future work.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the Key Project of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (No. KZZD-EW-04-05), the National Key Technology R & D Program (No. 2012BAC08B05), the Cooperation-Innovation team project of Chinese Academy of Sciences, and partly funded by the Australian Research Council (ARC) (No. ARCLP100100546). The authors thank the reviewers and associate editor for their constructive comments during the review process.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China

    Xiaoyan Guo, Qi Feng, Zongxing Li & Wei Liu

  2. Alashan Desert Eco-Hydrology Experimental Research Station, Lanzhou, 730000, China

    Qi Feng

  3. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China

    Xiaoyan Guo

  4. Australia China Centre on Water Resources Research, School of Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, 3010, Australia

    Yongping Wei

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  1. Xiaoyan Guo
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  5. Wei Liu
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Correspondence to Qi Feng.

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Guo, X., Feng, Q., Wei, Y. et al. An overview of precipitation isotopes over the Extensive Hexi Region in NW China. Arab J Geosci 8, 4365–4378 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-014-1521-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-014-1521-9

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