[A-HW17] Hydrological Cycle and Water Environment

[AHW17-04] Spatial and temporal variation of stable isotopes in precipitation in Hokkaido, North Japan

*Xiaoyang Li¹, Atsuko Sugimoto^1,2, Akihiro Ueta^1,3 (1.Graduate School of Environmental Science, Hokkaido University, 2.Faculty of Environmental Earth Science, Hokkaido University, 3.present address: Laboratory for Measurement & Analysis, The General Environmental Technos CO., LTD)

Keywords:stable water isotopes, precipitation, Hokkaido

Stable isotopes in precipitation have been widely used for paleoclimate and paleohydrology reconstruction, which is based on its temperature effect and amount effect. However, the relationship of stable isotopes of modern precipitation against meteorological variables has not yet been understood well. In this study, precipitation was collected at 6 locations in Hokkaido during the period from March 2010 to February 2013 to investigate relationship between isotope ratios of precipitation and meteorological condition and to clarify the underlying processes. Relatively low δ¹⁸O with high d-excess for annual averages were observed at three sites in the region along Sea of Japan (Teshio, Nakagawa and Sapporo), compared to the other three sites on Pacific side (Tomakomai, Shibecha and Akkeshi). Seasonally, winter precipitation showed the lowest δ¹⁸O and highest d-excess among seasons. Weekly δ¹⁸O was positively correlated with temperature and negatively with the amount of precipitation in most season and regions. To investigate the relationship between meteorological condition and δ¹⁸O values, 264 precipitation events were identified. Precipitation events from low pressure systems were classified into three groups (northwest, southeast and middle) according to their trajectories. Precipitation events with trajectory of southeast of Hokkaido showed relatively lower δ¹⁸O than those in northwest, although the amount of precipitation in Hokkaido area was not different between them. Lower δ¹⁸O values observed in earlier case was attributed to lower δ¹⁸O values of water vapor due to heavy rainfall in the upstream region of the trajectories of low pressure systems on Pacific Ocean. Observed isotopic composition of water vapor also supports this.