Publication Abstracts
Zhang et al. 2026
Zhang, Y., S. He, , J. Wang, B. Wee, N. Goodkin, J. Nusbaumer, M. Müller, S.C. Poh, T.T. Hien, and X. Wang, 2026: Quantifying the controls of spatiotemporal variations in precipitation isotopes across Southeast Asia. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett., 692, 120248, doi:10.1016/j.epsl.2026.120248.
Although precipitation isotopes are widely used as hydroclimate proxies, limited understanding of the physical processes controlling their variability, particularly in the tropics, continues to constrain their reliable application. To better characterize these processes, we examined spatial-temporal variations of precipitation isotopes across Southeast Asia by comparing observational data with simulations from isotope-enabled GISS ModelE2.1. Observed and simulated precipitation δ18O show strong agreement across spatial and temporal scales, from seasonal to decadal variability, demonstrating the model's ability to capture key hydrological processes. We further quantified the relative influences of local and regional processes on precipitation isotopes. A progressive decline in precipitation δ18O along monsoon tracks during the Northeast and Southwest monsoons reflects the dominant influence of large-scale monsoonal circulation. Quantitative decomposition of the controlling mechanisms shows that upstream rainout is the primary driver of seasonal precipitation δ18O variations, explaining ∼39%-48% of the seasonal δ18O range, followed by the isotopic composition of source vapor. These findings suggest that regional atmospheric processes, including large-scale convection in both source regions and along transport trajectories, govern precipitation isotopes in Southeast Asia. Moreover, the spatially heterogeneous responses of precipitation δ18O to major climate modes, such as the El Niño-Southern Oscillation and the Indian Ocean Dipole, indicate that different regions are predominantly influenced by distinct climate drivers. By quantifying the relative impacts of local and regional processes, this study enhances the interpretation of isotope-based paleoclimate records and provides new insights into the regional climate dynamics in Southeast Asia.
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BibTeX Citation
@article{zh05600n,
author={Zhang, Y. and He, S. and LeGrande, A. N. and Wang, J. and Wee, B. and Goodkin, N. and Nusbaumer, J. and Müller, M. and Poh, S. C. and Hien, T. T. and Wang, X.},
title={Quantifying the controls of spatiotemporal variations in precipitation isotopes across Southeast Asia},
year={2026},
journal={Earth and Planetary Science Letters},
volume={692},
pages={120248},
doi={10.1016/j.epsl.2026.120248},
}
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RIS Citation
TY - JOUR ID - zh05600n AU - Zhang, Y. AU - He, S. AU - LeGrande, A. N. AU - Wang, J. AU - Wee, B. AU - Goodkin, N. AU - Nusbaumer, J. AU - Müller, M. AU - Poh, S. C. AU - Hien, T. T. AU - Wang, X. PY - 2026 TI - Quantifying the controls of spatiotemporal variations in precipitation isotopes across Southeast Asia JA - Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. JO - Earth and Planetary Science Letters VL - 692 SP - 120248 DO - 10.1016/j.epsl.2026.120248 ER -
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