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Inferring the source of evaporated waters using stable H and O isotopes

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Abstract

Stable isotope ratios of H and O are widely used to identify the source of water, e.g., in aquifers, river runoff, soils, plant xylem, and plant-based beverages. In situations where the sampled water is partially evaporated, its isotope values will have evolved along an evaporation line (EL) in δ2H/δ18O space, and back-correction along the EL to its intersection with a meteoric water line (MWL) has been used to estimate the source water’s isotope ratios. Here, we review the theory underlying isotopic estimation of source water for evaporated samples (iSWE). We note potential for bias from a commonly used regression-based approach for EL slope estimation and suggest that a model-based approach may be preferable if assumptions of the regression approach are not valid. We then introduce a mathematical framework that eliminates the need to explicitly estimate the EL–MWL intersection, simplifying iSWE analysis and facilitating more rigorous uncertainty estimation. We apply this approach to data from the US EPA's 2007 National Lakes Assessment. We find that data for most lakes are consistent with a water source similar to annual runoff, estimated from monthly precipitation and evaporation within the lake basin. Strong evidence for both summer- and winter-biased sources exists, however, with winter bias pervasive in most snow-prone regions. The new analytical framework should improve the rigor of iSWE in ecohydrology and related sciences, and our initial results from US lakes suggest that previous interpretations of lakes as unbiased isotope integrators may only be valid in certain climate regimes.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are tremendously grateful for the inspiration, support, and mentorship of Jim Ehleringer, whose creativity and enthusiasm for science has impacted each of us and so many other young scientists worldwide. Support for this work was provided by U.S. National Science Foundation Grants EF-01241286 and DBI-1565128 to GJB. This manuscript has been subjected to Agency review and has been approved for publication. The views expressed in this paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.

Funding

Funding was provided by the U.S. National Science Foundation Directorate for Biological Sciences (EF-01241286 and DBI-1565128).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology and Geophysics and Global Change and Sustainability Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA

    Gabriel J. Bowen & Annie Putman

  2. Western Ecology Division, National Health and Evironmental Effects Research Laboratory, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Corvallis, OR, USA

    J. Renée Brooks

  3. Department of Biology and Global Change and Sustainability Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112, USA

    David R. Bowling

  4. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, 94550, USA

    Erik J. Oerter

  5. Department of Biological and Ecological Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA

    Stephen P. Good

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  1. Gabriel J. Bowen
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  4. David R. Bowling
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  5. Erik J. Oerter
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  6. Stephen P. Good
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Contributions

GJB, DRB, EJO, and SPG conceived the study. GJB designed and performed the analyses. AP managed and prepared data. JRB provided data. GJB and JRB wrote the manuscript; other authors provided editorial advice.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Gabriel J. Bowen.

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The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Communicated by Todd E Dawson.

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Bowen, G.J., Putman, A., Brooks, J.R. et al. Inferring the source of evaporated waters using stable H and O isotopes. Oecologia 187, 1025–1039 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00442-018-4192-5

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