Forward modeling of δ18O in Andean ice cores

Abstract Tropical ice core archives are among the best dated and highest resolution from the tropics, but a thorough understanding of processes that shape their isotope signature as well as the simulation of observed variability remain incomplete. To address this, we develop a tropical Andean ice co...

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Main Authors: J. V. Hurley, M. Vuille, D. R. Hardy
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2016-08-01
Series:Geophysical Research Letters
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/2016GL070150
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author J. V. Hurley
M. Vuille
D. R. Hardy
author_facet J. V. Hurley
M. Vuille
D. R. Hardy
author_sort J. V. Hurley
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Tropical ice core archives are among the best dated and highest resolution from the tropics, but a thorough understanding of processes that shape their isotope signature as well as the simulation of observed variability remain incomplete. To address this, we develop a tropical Andean ice core isotope forward model from in situ hydrologic observations and satellite water vapor isotope measurements. A control simulation of snow δ18O captures the mean and seasonal trend but underestimates the observed intraseasonal variability. The simulation of observed variability is improved by including amount effects associated with South American cold air incursions, linking synoptic‐scale disturbances and monsoon dynamics to tropical ice core δ18O. The forward model was calibrated with and run under present‐day conditions but can also be driven with past climate forcings to reconstruct paleomonsoon variability. The model is transferable and may be used to render a (paleo)climatic context at other ice core locations.
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spelling doaj-art-354ad7cf5ed04c2ead459c327c2481e22025-08-20T01:51:54ZengWileyGeophysical Research Letters0094-82761944-80072016-08-0143158178818810.1002/2016GL070150Forward modeling of δ18O in Andean ice coresJ. V. Hurley0M. Vuille1D. R. Hardy2Department of Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences State University of New York at Albany Albany New York USADepartment of Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences State University of New York at Albany Albany New York USADepartment of Geosciences University of Massachusetts Amherst Amherst Massachusetts USAAbstract Tropical ice core archives are among the best dated and highest resolution from the tropics, but a thorough understanding of processes that shape their isotope signature as well as the simulation of observed variability remain incomplete. To address this, we develop a tropical Andean ice core isotope forward model from in situ hydrologic observations and satellite water vapor isotope measurements. A control simulation of snow δ18O captures the mean and seasonal trend but underestimates the observed intraseasonal variability. The simulation of observed variability is improved by including amount effects associated with South American cold air incursions, linking synoptic‐scale disturbances and monsoon dynamics to tropical ice core δ18O. The forward model was calibrated with and run under present‐day conditions but can also be driven with past climate forcings to reconstruct paleomonsoon variability. The model is transferable and may be used to render a (paleo)climatic context at other ice core locations.https://doi.org/10.1002/2016GL070150South American summer monsoonQuelccaya Ice Capcold air incursionforward modelice core
spellingShingle J. V. Hurley
M. Vuille
D. R. Hardy
Forward modeling of δ18O in Andean ice cores
Geophysical Research Letters
South American summer monsoon
Quelccaya Ice Cap
cold air incursion
forward model
ice core
title Forward modeling of δ18O in Andean ice cores
title_full Forward modeling of δ18O in Andean ice cores
title_fullStr Forward modeling of δ18O in Andean ice cores
title_full_unstemmed Forward modeling of δ18O in Andean ice cores
title_short Forward modeling of δ18O in Andean ice cores
title_sort forward modeling of δ18o in andean ice cores
topic South American summer monsoon
Quelccaya Ice Cap
cold air incursion
forward model
ice core
url https://doi.org/10.1002/2016GL070150
work_keys_str_mv AT jvhurley forwardmodelingofd18oinandeanicecores
AT mvuille forwardmodelingofd18oinandeanicecores
AT drhardy forwardmodelingofd18oinandeanicecores