Backward Trajectory Analysis Based on Specific Humidity Correction for the Influence of Moisture Sources on Precipitation Isotopes in the Western Loess Plateau, China

Abstract

Based on the precipitation samples collected in Minxian in the western Loess Plateau from 2019 to 2021, this study analyzes the influence of moisture sources on precipitation isotopes. Through the specific humidity correction of the backward trajectory, it is found that Xinjiang and the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River may be the main moisture sources. Through cluster analysis of backward trajectories, it is found that in the summer half-year, the water vapor from the east and northeast leads to the precipitation with a depleted isotope ratio, while the water vapor from the south and northwest leads to the precipitation with an enriched isotope ratio; in the winter half, water vapor from the east leads to precipitation with enriched isotope ratios, while water vapor from the northwest and northeast leads to precipitation with depleted isotope ratios. In addition, the precipitation isotope values showed a tendency to deplete with the duration of water vapor transport in the summer half-year, but this tendency was not obvious in the winter half-year. The relationship between precipitation isotopes and water vapor transport height showed a positive correlation in both the winter half-year and summer half-year. Using the Potential Source Contribution Factor analysis methods and the backward trajectory after the specific humidity revision, it was found that the potential evaporation source areas in the summer half-year are larger in extent, mainly distributed in the eastern and southern regions of the sampling site, and the contribution of local recycled vapor to precipitation is 32.17%; while the potential evaporation source areas in the winter half-year are smaller in extent, they are only distributed in the southern region of the sampling site, and the contribution of local recycled vapor to precipitation is 24.66%.