The stable isotope amount effect: New insights from NEXRAD echo tops, Luquillo Mountains, Puerto Rico

摘要: [1] The stable isotope amount effect has often been invoked to explain patterns of isotopic composition rainfall in the tropics. This paper describes a new approach, correlating precipitation with cloud height and atmospheric temperature using NEXRAD radar echo tops, which are measure maximum altitude within clouds. The seasonal differences top altitudes their corresponding temperatures correlated rainfall. These results offer another factor consider interpretation variation tropical rainfall, previously linked or rainout effects not effects. Rain water collectors Luquillo Mountains northeastern Puerto Rico were sampled monthly for three years was analyzed δ18O δ2H. Precipitation enriched 18O 2H occurred during winter dry season (approximately December–May) associated weather pattern trade wind showers frontal systems. During summer rainy June–November), depleted originated low pressure systems convection waves embedded prevailing easterly airflow. substantially compared aforementioned large Weather analysis showed that 29% rain input orographic 30% could be attributed Isotopic signatures these major climate can used determine influence on streamflow groundwater recharge monitor possible change regional resources.