Abstract
Oxygen isotope records of precipitation (δ<sup>18</sup>O<inf>precip</inf>) from Beringia are thought to reflect synoptic-scale circulation changes associated with the Aleutian Low. To delineate the spatial pattern of δ<sup>18</sup>O<inf>precip</inf> associated with the two dominant modes of Aleutian Low circulation, we combine modern δ<sup>18</sup>O<inf>precip</inf> and deuterium excess data with climate reanalysis and back trajectory modeling. Aleutian Low strength and position are revealed to systematically affect regional moisture source and δ<sup>18</sup>O<inf>precip</inf>; whereby a strengthened Aleutian Low causes lower (higher) δ<sup>18</sup>O<inf>precip</inf> in western (eastern) Beringia. We compare a new 100 year long δ<sup>18</sup>O record from the Aleutian Islands with the North Pacific Index, the primary indicator of Aleutian Low strength, and find a significant positive relationship (r = 0.43, P < 0.02, n = 28) that tracks late twentieth century change. This study demonstrates synoptic-scale circulation controls on our isotope record and provides a coherent framework for interpreting existing and emerging paleoisotope data from the region.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 4608-4616 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Geophysical Research Letters |
| Volume | 42 |
| Issue number | 11 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jun 16 2015 |
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Keywords
- Alaska
- Aleutian Low
- North Pacific Index
- oxygen isotopes
- precipitation
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Earth and Planetary Sciences(all)
- Geophysics
Cite this
Synoptic scale controls on the δ<sup>18</sup>O in precipitation across Beringia. / Bailey, Hannah L.; Kaufman, Darrell S; Henderson, Andrew C G; Leng, Melanie J.
In: Geophysical Research Letters, Vol. 42, No. 11, 16.06.2015, p. 4608-4616.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Synoptic scale controls on the δ18O in precipitation across Beringia
AU - Bailey, Hannah L.
AU - Kaufman, Darrell S
AU - Henderson, Andrew C G
AU - Leng, Melanie J.
PY - 2015/6/16
Y1 - 2015/6/16
N2 - Oxygen isotope records of precipitation (δ18Oprecip) from Beringia are thought to reflect synoptic-scale circulation changes associated with the Aleutian Low. To delineate the spatial pattern of δ18Oprecip associated with the two dominant modes of Aleutian Low circulation, we combine modern δ18Oprecip and deuterium excess data with climate reanalysis and back trajectory modeling. Aleutian Low strength and position are revealed to systematically affect regional moisture source and δ18Oprecip; whereby a strengthened Aleutian Low causes lower (higher) δ18Oprecip in western (eastern) Beringia. We compare a new 100 year long δ18O record from the Aleutian Islands with the North Pacific Index, the primary indicator of Aleutian Low strength, and find a significant positive relationship (r = 0.43, P < 0.02, n = 28) that tracks late twentieth century change. This study demonstrates synoptic-scale circulation controls on our isotope record and provides a coherent framework for interpreting existing and emerging paleoisotope data from the region.
AB - Oxygen isotope records of precipitation (δ18Oprecip) from Beringia are thought to reflect synoptic-scale circulation changes associated with the Aleutian Low. To delineate the spatial pattern of δ18Oprecip associated with the two dominant modes of Aleutian Low circulation, we combine modern δ18Oprecip and deuterium excess data with climate reanalysis and back trajectory modeling. Aleutian Low strength and position are revealed to systematically affect regional moisture source and δ18Oprecip; whereby a strengthened Aleutian Low causes lower (higher) δ18Oprecip in western (eastern) Beringia. We compare a new 100 year long δ18O record from the Aleutian Islands with the North Pacific Index, the primary indicator of Aleutian Low strength, and find a significant positive relationship (r = 0.43, P < 0.02, n = 28) that tracks late twentieth century change. This study demonstrates synoptic-scale circulation controls on our isotope record and provides a coherent framework for interpreting existing and emerging paleoisotope data from the region.
KW - Alaska
KW - Aleutian Low
KW - North Pacific Index
KW - oxygen isotopes
KW - precipitation
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84934441069&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84934441069&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1002/2015GL063983
DO - 10.1002/2015GL063983
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84934441069
VL - 42
SP - 4608
EP - 4616
JO - Geophysical Research Letters
JF - Geophysical Research Letters
SN - 0094-8276
IS - 11
ER -