A new spatial distribution map of δ 18 O in Antarctic surface snow

Yetang Wang (1) , Shugui Hou (1) , Valérie Masson-Delmotte (2) , Jean Jouzel (2)

1 Cold and Arid Regions Environmental and Engineering Research Institute
2 GLACCIOS - Glaces et Continents, Climats et Isotopes Stables

We developed a gridded map of surface Antarctic snow isotopic composition using a recently compiled database and the modified Bowen and Wilkinson (2002) model using latitude and elevation as the primary predictors while also incorporating regional and local deviations based on available isotopic data. The map was generated using a 1‐km digital elevation model grid data as the model input. The average of the absolute deviations between observations and predictions was about 0.8‰, and the standard deviation is 0.9‰. The resulting δ18O patterns reproduced correctly spatial isotopic gradients with respect to geographical characteristics, as well as climatic features.

Domaines: Océan, Atmosphère

Yetang Wang, Shugui Hou, Valérie Masson-Delmotte, Jean Jouzel. A new spatial distribution map of δ 18 O in Antarctic surface snow. Geophysical Research Letters, 2009, 36 (6), pp.L06501. ⟨10.1029/2008GL036939⟩. ⟨hal-03104293⟩