Review on Applications of 17O in Hydrological Cycle

Abstract

The triple oxygen isotopes (16O, 17O, and 18O) are very useful in hydrological and climatological studies because of their sensitivity to environmental conditions. This review presents an overview of the published literature on the potential applications of 17O in hydrological studies. Dual-inlet isotope ratio mass spectrometry and laser absorption spectroscopy have been used to measure 17O, which provides information on atmospheric conditions at the moisture source and isotopic fractionations during transport and deposition processes. The variations of δ17O from the developed global meteoric water line, with a slope of 0.528, indicate the importance of regional or local effects on the 17O distribution. In polar regions, factors such as the supersaturation effect, intrusion of stratospheric vapor, post-depositional processes (local moisture recycling through sublimation), regional circulation patterns, sea ice concentration and local meteorological conditions determine the distribution of 17O-excess. Numerous studies have used these isotopes to detect the changes in the moisture source, mixing of different water vapor, evaporative loss in dry regions, re-evaporation of rain drops during warm precipitation and convective storms in low and mid-latitude waters. Owing to the large variation of the spatial scale of hydrological processes with their extent (i.e., whether the processes are local or regional), more studies based on isotopic composition of surface and subsurface water, convective precipitation, and water vapor, are required. In particular, in situ measurements are important for accurate simulations of atmospheric hydrological cycles by isotope-enabled general circulation models.

Special Issue “Applications of Stable Isotope Analysis”

“…This Special Issue aims to provide an updated view and highlight the advances in the application of stable isotope analysis (SIA) in the different fields of chemistry. It includes five research articles and two review papers dealing with the use of this technique in geochemical [ 2 , 3 ], archaeological [ 4 , 5 , 6 ], environmental [ 7 ], and food [ 4 , 8 ] studies.…”

“…Finally, the works by Ogbesejana et al [ 2 ] and Nyamgerel et al [ 3 ] reviewed different aspects related to the applications of geochemistry, due to the recurrent use of SIA in this discipline. Ogbesejana et al [ 2 ] reviewed the SIA of organic elements within shales and crude oils.…”

“…The article by Nyamgerel et al [ 3 ] reviews the use of 17 O as a new tracer within the triple oxygen isotope system ( 16 O, 17 O, and 18 O) due to its usefulness in hydrological and climatological investigations (related to its sensitivity to environmental conditions). Recent analytical developments to measure small variations in 17 O (primarily dual-inlet isotope ratio mass spectrometry and laser absorption spectroscopy) have facilitated such studies, providing information regarding atmospheric conditions at the moisture source and isotopic fractionations during transport and deposition processes.…”