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Sampling for isotopic responses in surface waters
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Lawler, H. A. (1987) Sampling for isotopic responses in surface waters. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 12 (5). pp. 551-559. doi:10.1002/esp.3290120512 ISSN 0197-9337.
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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/esp.3290120512
Abstract
This paper considers situations in which stable isotopes may be used as natural tracers of precipitation through to surface waters. Two aspects affecting the applicability of the technique are highlighted: first, the variance through time of isotope concentrations in precipitation, i.e. the isotope input signal, and second, the attenuation or damping of this signal during the transmission of water downwards through the hydrological system. Both factors affect the likelihood of obtaining an isotope response, i.e. a variation of isotope concentrations in a surface water which may be related to variations in the precipitation input.
Analysis of precipitation over the Malham area, U.K., reveals large isotopic variations through time. These variations, however, are only poorly correlated with meteorological variables (temperature, precipitation amount, and air mass type). Snowmelt and occluded frontal rainfall are suggested as providing the most reliable ‘spikes’ for an isotopic response at the output in tracing studies. In most hydrological systems, a high degree of signal attenuation is noted. In the Malham area of karst, 57 per cent of the total range of input variation was lost in surface waters, whilst 74 per cent was lost in mobile soil moisture. An isotopic response can only reasonably be expected in a system with rapid throughput, where there is little opportunity for mixing and storage of waters.
Item Type: | Journal Article | ||||||
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Subjects: | G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GB Physical geography G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences |
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Divisions: | Administration > Information and Digital Group > Library | ||||||
Journal or Publication Title: | Earth Surface Processes and Landforms | ||||||
Publisher: | John Wiley & Sons, Ltd | ||||||
ISSN: | 0197-9337 | ||||||
Official Date: | September 1987 | ||||||
Dates: |
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Volume: | 12 | ||||||
Number: | 5 | ||||||
Page Range: | pp. 551-559 | ||||||
DOI: | 10.1002/esp.3290120512 | ||||||
Status: | Peer Reviewed | ||||||
Publication Status: | Published | ||||||
Access rights to Published version: | Restricted or Subscription Access | ||||||
Copyright Holders: | John Wiley & Sons, Ltd | ||||||
Funder: | Natural Environment Research Council (Great Britain) (NERC) |
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