Earth and Planetary Sciences ETDs

Alec Tunner

Publication Date

12-1-2015

Abstract

The diurnal variation of water vapor isotopologues over the Chajnantor Plateau during the Austral Spring was investigated using a near continuous record of in situ water vapor isotopologues, numerical modeling, and routine meteorological measurements. On average, there is an approximately 34% increase in the mixing ratio coupled with an 11‰ increase in δ18O, 71‰ increase in δD, and 23‰ decrease in deuterium excess on the Plateau. This significant diurnal variation is a result of the mixing between dry, upper tropospheric air (dry end-member) and a small contribution (9-25%) of a continental (δD < -120‰) source of moisture (wet end-member). While the dry end-member continuously subsides on the Plateau, the continental source is advected onto the Plateau during the day due to a thermally induced, regional, diurnal circulation.

Degree Name

Earth and Planetary Sciences

Level of Degree

Masters

Department Name

Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences

First Committee Member (Chair)

Gutzler, David

Second Committee Member

Fawcett, Peter

Project Sponsors

National Science Foundation, Graduate and Professional Student Association

Language

English

Keywords

Diurnal variation, Water vapor isotopologues

Document Type

Thesis

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