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Tree-Ring Isotopic Composition as a Proxy for Isotopic Composition of Paleoprecipitation and Paleoclimate in the American Southwest

Description: Abstract ATM-9421041 Leavitt, Steven University of Arizona Title: Tree-Ring Isotopic Composition as a Proxy for Isotopic Composition of Paleoprecipitation and Paleoclimate in the American Southwest This study is intended to define relationships between isotopic composition (delD, del18O, del13C) measured in tree-rings with instrumental climate data and actual isotopic measurements of precipitation. Stable-isotopic measurements will be made on cellulose of ponderosa pine from southeastern Arizona and southern New Mexico. The delD and del18O of the trees will be calibrated with respect to a long record (>12 years) of isotopic composition of precipitation from nearby Tucson, extended with other precipitation isotopic data from the IAEA network. In the long term, the connection between the tree-ring measurements and climate/source-water variables established in this study can be used to explore periods preceding the instrumental period to determine the spatial and temporal variability and strength of precipitation sources.

Funder: National Science Foundation

Amount: $158,900

Funding type: grant

Funder scheme: Continuing Grant

Start date: 1995-02-01

End date: 1998-10-31

Investigator: Steven Leavitt

Institution: University of Arizona

Topic: Tree-ring climate responses

Subfield: Atmospheric Science

Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences

Domain: Physical Sciences