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Comparisons of observed and modelled lake ?18O variability

Jones, Matthew D.; Cuthbert, M.O.; Leng, Melanie J.; McGowan, Suzanne; Mariethoz, G.; Arrowsmith, Carol; Sloane, Hilary J.; Humphrey, K.K.; Cross, Iain

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Authors

MATTHEW JONES MATTHEW.JONES@NOTTINGHAM.AC.UK
Professor of Quaternary Science

M.O. Cuthbert

Suzanne McGowan

G. Mariethoz

Carol Arrowsmith

Hilary J. Sloane

K.K. Humphrey

Iain Cross



Abstract

With the substantial number of lake sediment ?18O records published in recent decades, a quantitative, process-based understanding of these systems can increase our understanding of past climate change. We test mass balance models of lake water ?18O variability against five years of monthly monitoring data from lakes with different hydrological characteristics, in the East-Midlands region of the UK, and the local isotope composition of precipitation. These mass balance models can explain up to 74% of the measured lake water isotope variability. We investigate the sensitivity of the model to differing calculations of evaporation amount, the amount of groundwater, and to different climatic variables. We show there is only a small range of values for groundwater exchange flux that can produce suitable lake water isotope compositions and that variations in evaporation and precipitation are both required to produce recorded isotope variability in lakes with substantial evaporative water losses. We then discuss the potential for this model to be used in a long-term, palaeo-scenario. This study demonstrates how long term monitoring of a lake system can lead to the development of robust models of lake water isotope compositions. Such systematics-based explanations allow us to move from conceptual, to more quantified reconstructions of past climates and environments.

Citation

Jones, M. D., Cuthbert, M., Leng, M. J., McGowan, S., Mariethoz, G., Arrowsmith, C., …Cross, I. (2016). Comparisons of observed and modelled lake δ18O variability. Quaternary Science Reviews, 131(B), 329-340. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2015.09.012

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Sep 11, 2015
Online Publication Date Oct 1, 2015
Publication Date Jan 1, 2016
Deposit Date Jan 26, 2016
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal Quaternary Science Reviews
Print ISSN 0277-3791
Electronic ISSN 1873-457X
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 131
Issue B
Pages 329-340
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2015.09.012
Keywords oxygen isotopes, lakes, groundwater, modelling
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/767901
Publisher URL http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277379115301104

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