nan Rao

Studying Dynamics of the South West Monsoon in Indian Sub-Continent through Geospatial Correlation of Isotopes in Air Moisture

The isotopic data of atmospheric air moisture collected from Kakinada in coastal region (Andhra Pradesh), Sagar in Central India (Madhya Pradesh), Kanpur in Indo-Gangetic plains (Uttar Pradesh), Roorkee in foot hills of Shiwalik (Uttarakhand), Jammu in Sub-Himalayan region (Jammu & Kashmir) and Manali in Himalayan region (Himachal Pradesh) measured in Isotope Laboratory of NIH, Roorkee and has been analysed using Matlab to find out the local/ regional component of atmospheric moisture. The isotopic analysis confirms the continental and altitude effects which were earlier deciphered by the precipitation. Further, the isotopic data analysis validates the impact of local moisture on rainfall and help in resolving the moisture sources in different seasons. This analysis further concludes that the isotopic composition of air moisture can be applied for finding the onset of monsoon.

Isotope Analysis of Air Moisture and its Applications in Hydrology

New scientific knowledge of the modern tools and techniques, including isotope applications is required: (i) to improve the growing scenario of increased water stress and (ii) to resolve resulting conflicts for water for sustainable development. The isotope analysis of nair moisture ncan greatly support in tracking the hydrological cycle through fingerprinting the source of water vapor, its transport and its condensation through direct analysis. This can be further used to understand factors controlling the water and energy balance of the atmosphere and guide new studies of clouds and the atmospheric hydrology. This paper presents the work carried out by National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee to understand the role of water vapor isotopes in nclimate studies n, vapor source identification and in understanding southwest monsoon dynamics. It has been found that air moisture isotope analysis can be used (i) for studying the climatological changes (ii) to identify the source of air moisture and (iii) for southwest monsoon studies.