Atmospheric constraints on δ18O and d-excess in precipitation at the middle latitude in the southwestern Atlantic region

Abstract

The mid-latitude coastal area at the western South-Atlantic out of the tropics is under the combined effect of different atmospheric circulation patterns at different temporal scales, which can be shown by the isotope composition of precipitation. This pattern effect is more changing and complex than that for the well-studied tropical areas, the isotope studies being an interesting proxy for identifying major processes. This study is focused on the isotope composition of precipitation at a mid-latitude zone, in the western South-Atlantic coastal area of Argentina. δ18O and d-excess were analysed in a data series of 14 years, obtained from the integration of three neighbouring rain collectors at 38°S. A seasonality is observed in both parameters, but with some differences in the extreme months. δ18O showed a seasonality according to the temperature effect, but with a displacement of high values to spring months. Significant linear links between δ18O and Southern Annular Mode (SAM) index and Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) were recognised for the summer and spring seasons, respectively.