Isotope variability of rain for assessing climate change impacts
Closed for proposals
Project Type
Project Code
F31006CRP
2204Approved Date
Status
Start Date
Expected End Date
Participating Countries
Description
During the CRP the following outputs are expected to be produced:
• Report on the testing and assessment of isotope data in precipitation collected at various temporal resolutions to better delineate the factors controlling isotope variability in atmospheric waters.
• Compilation of new isotope data sets measured at small temporal resolution in climate sensitive areas as a key contribution to the GNIP database.
• Technical reports summarizing major findings and best-practice guidelines on integrating environmental isotopes in precipitation with climate models and implications for assessing climate change impact.
Objectives
The overall objective of the CRP is to improve the capability and expertise among Member States in the use of isotope patterns observed in precipitation to better assess the impacts of climate change on water resources and water related infrastructures.
Specific objectives
Improve the understanding of climate change impacts by using environmental isotopes to evaluate possible transformations of rainfall patterns on the local, regional and global scale and to investigate their likely causes.
To develop and strengthen the capabilities for integrating datasets from multiple sources, at different space and time scales and at varying quality levels, in order to leverage an improved understanding and interpretation of environmental isotopes in rainfall.
To develop best-practice guidelines on combining environmental isotopes and other indicators into a harmonized data product for assessing rainfall related climate change impacts in the framework of precipitation networks on the national and global level.
To strengthen the use of isotopes as an independent means of verification and to thereby more efficiently complement conventional hydro-meteorological observations in the validation of dynamic climate models and synoptic features of the atmospheric circulation.