Atmospheric water balance in the Amazon Basin: an isotopic evapotranspiration model

J. R. Gat, E. Matsui

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

327 Scopus citations

Abstract

An increase of 3‰ in the "d' value of the isotopic composition of precipitation over the Amazon Basin suggests that an isotopically fractionated evapotranspiration flux contributes to the atmospheric water balance over the region. A steady state evapotranspiration model for the Amazon Basin was developed, and it is shown that the observed increase in the "d' value corresponds to a situation where 20-40% of the total evapotranspiration flux is accompanied by an isotopic fractionation, such as by evaporation from an open water surface. The site of this fractionation, whether by evaporation from the flood plains, canopy interception or lakes, cannot be resolved with the presently available data set. -Authors

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)13,179-13,188
JournalJournal of Geophysical Research
Volume96
Issue numberD7
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 1991

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
  • Polymers and Plastics
  • Materials Chemistry

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Atmospheric water balance in the Amazon Basin: an isotopic evapotranspiration model'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this