New definition of deuterium excess and its application in polar regions

doi:10.13679/j.jdyj.20180069209

Abstract

Abstract:

The deuterium excess in water vapor is mainly controlled by non-equilibrium kinetic fractionation during evaporation, while it is generally considered that isotopic equilibrium fractionation occurs during condensation, which has little effect on the deuterium excess in precipitation and water vapor. Therefore, the deuterium excess records of ice cores can be used for quantitative reconstruction of environmental conditions of oceanic moisture sources. In polar regions, the condensation degree of water vapor is higher due to the lower temperatures. The slope of δD and δ18O during the condensation of water vapor is significantly affected by the equilibrium fractionation coefficient related to temperature; thus, the deuterium excess in polar precipitation is actually affected by the equilibrium fractionation coefficient. In addition, with an increase of the condensation degree of water vapor, the δD/δ18O value of water vapor becomes progressively lower, and a nonlinear relationship between δD and δ18O becomes more apparent. This means that the traditional linear deuterium excess (defined as: dexcess = δD – 8δ18O) is also affected by the isotopic value. Consequently, the deficiency of the definition of linear deuterium excess limits the accuracy of quantitative reconstruction of the environmental conditions of oceanic moisture sources. To make up for deficiency in the linear definition, some researchers in recent years have put forward logarithmic and exponential definitions of deuterium excess. This article highlights shortcomings in the traditional linear definition of deuterium excess, introduces the basic principles and advantages of two new definitions, and discusses the progress of research on this topic as well as potential applications to research in polar regions.

Key words: polar regions, water stable isotopes, deuterium excess, moisture source

Wang Jiajia, Pang Hongxi, Hou Shugui, Zhang Wangbin, Yu Jinhai, Liu Ke. New definition of deuterium excess and its application in polar regions[J]. Chinese Journal of Polar Research, 2019, 31(2): 209-219.

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