Spatial distribution of δ18O in meteoric precipitation

Research Article| April 01, 2002 Spatial distribution of δ18O in meteoric precipitation Gabriel J. Bowen; Gabriel J. Bowen 1Department of Earth Sciences, University of California, Santa Cruz, California 95064, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Bruce Wilkinson Bruce Wilkinson 2Department of Geological Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Gabriel J. Bowen 1Department of Earth Sciences, University of California, Santa Cruz, California 95064, USA Bruce Wilkinson 2Department of Geological Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 20 Sep 2001 Revision Received: 05 Dec 2001 Accepted: 06 Dec 2001 First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (2002) 30 (4): 315–318. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2002)0302.0.CO;2 Article history Received: 20 Sep 2001 Revision Received: 05 Dec 2001 Accepted: 06 Dec 2001 First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation Gabriel J. Bowen, Bruce Wilkinson; Spatial distribution of δ18O in meteoric precipitation. Geology 2002;; 30 (4): 315–318. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2002)0302.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Proxy data reflecting the oxygen isotope composition of meteoric precipitation (δ18Oppt) are widely used in reconstructions of continental paleoclimate and paleohydrology. However, actual geographic variation in modern water compositions is difficult to estimate from often sparse data. A first step toward understanding the geologic pattern of change in δ18Oppt is to describe the modern distribution in terms of principal geographic parameters. To this end, we empirically model relationships between 18O in modern precipitation and latitude and altitude. We then identify geographic areas where large-scale vapor transport patterns give rise to significant deviations from model δ18Oppt compositions based on latitude and altitude. Model value and residual grids are combined to derive a high-resolution global map of δ18Oppt that can serve as a spatial reference against which proxy data for paleoprecipitation can be compared. Reiteration of the procedure outlined here, for paleo-δ18Oppt data, may illuminate past changes in the climatic and physiographic parameters controlling the distribution of δ18O regimes. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.