Publication Abstracts
Zhang et al. 2026
Zhang, Y., Y. Shi, S. Wang, , K. Yoshimura, S. Lei, M. Xing, Y. Yang, J. Zhao, and M. Zhang, 2026: Using stable isotopes in water vapor to identify the onset date of the East Asian summer monsoon over the Loess Plateau. J. Hydrol., 677, 135829, doi:10.1016/j.jhydrol.2026.135829.
The East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) is a key atmospheric circulation system that regulates the hydroclimatic patterns and ecological processes of the Loess Plateau. Its onset date has important implications for the seasonal distribution of regional precipitation, water resource allocation, and land-atmosphere interactions. In this study, we developed a quantitative framework for identifying monsoon onset based on the daily time series of water vapor δ18O. Using observed water vapor isotope records from Lanzhou and Xi'an across the Loess Plateau, we determined a robust onset signal characterized by a maximum in δ18O followed by sustained isotopic depletion. After applying a 10-day Fourier low-pass smoothing, objective criteria with a cumulative decrease of at least 2% were established to identify the monsoon onset date. This framework was further applied to long-term daily isotope simulations of IsoGSM4 to reconstruct the interannual variability of EASM onset over the Loess Plateau. The results show that the summer monsoon typically reaches the Loess Plateau in June and exhibits a stable southeast-to-northwest propagation pattern. On average, monsoon onset occurs in Xi'an in early June, whereas Lanzhou lags by approximately 15-20 days. The inter-annual variability of monsoon onset date is consistent with recent evidence for a northward shift of the East Asian rain belt. This isotope-based framework provides a robust quantitative indicator for identifying EASM onset across the Loess Plateau, and helps in understanding the long-term hydrological changes in the monsoon marginal regions.
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BibTeX Citation
@article{zh04600m,
author={Zhang, Y. and Shi, Y. and Wang, S. and Bong, H. and Yoshimura, K. and Lei, S. and Xing, M. and Yang, Y. and Zhao, J. and Zhang, M.},
title={Using stable isotopes in water vapor to identify the onset date of the East Asian summer monsoon over the Loess Plateau},
year={2026},
journal={Journal of Hydrology},
volume={677},
pages={135829},
doi={10.1016/j.jhydrol.2026.135829},
}
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RIS Citation
TY - JOUR ID - zh04600m AU - Zhang, Y. AU - Shi, Y. AU - Wang, S. AU - Bong, H. AU - Yoshimura, K. AU - Lei, S. AU - Xing, M. AU - Yang, Y. AU - Zhao, J. AU - Zhang, M. PY - 2026 TI - Using stable isotopes in water vapor to identify the onset date of the East Asian summer monsoon over the Loess Plateau JA - J. Hydrol. JO - Journal of Hydrology VL - 677 SP - 135829 DO - 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2026.135829 ER -
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