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The Colombian Andean Mountains include the headwaters of the main basins of the country. However, the isotope composition of water in these high mountain ecosystems has been poorly studied. In this study, we analysed the first set of stable isotope data collected along a wide elevation range (2600–4950 m a.s.l.) in the Central Andes of Colombia. The stable isotope composition of stream water and precipitation was determined for a period between 2017 and 2018 in the Upper Claro River basin. The driving factors influencing the spatial and temporal variability of δ2H, δ18O, and d‐excess were identified, and compared with daily air temperature and precipitation data from seven meteorological stations. The local regression line was described by δ2H = 8.2 δ18O + 12.3, R2 = 0.98. The δ2H and δ18O values showed more depletion in heavy isotopes, and the d‐excess values were more negative during the rainy season. An altitude effect of −0.11‰/100 m and −0.18‰/100 m was estimated for stream water and precipitation δ18O values, respectively, with the latter showing non‐linear behaviour. The dataset was compared with Colombian stations of the Global Network of Isotopes in Precipitation database, and a back‐trajectory analysis of air masses was conducted and compared with the d‐excess values. The δ18O weighted mean values changed with respect to the position in the Central Andes, indicating contrasting altitude effects depending on the moisture sources. The most positive d‐excess values were attributed to moisture recycling enhanced by local ecosystem conditions and the origin of precipitation from the Amazon basin, which change during the year and across the northern Andes. The results showed a high level of variation because of differences in elevation, seasonality, and atmospheric circulation patterns during the year. This study contributes to knowledge of spatial and temporal isotope composition data in the northern Andes, delineation of water supply basins, and to the definition of ecosystem boundaries in the high mountains of Colombia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stable isotopes of water are known to provide information on mean altitudes of spring recharge areas, which is an important parameter for groundwater resources management especially in karstic environments. Very often, a lack of precipitation input data limits the possibility for an appropriate estimation of mean catchment altitudes. In the Jeita spring catchment, Lebanon, a characterization of precipitation input was possible with samples collected at six stations at varying altitudes (88 amount-weighted monthly samples). A local meteoric water line for the Jeita spring catchment was characterized as δ2H = 6.04 * δ18O + 8.45 ( R2 = .92) for a 2-year observation period between October 2012 and September 2014. Integral samples from the snow layer were collected at 22 sites at altitudes ranging from 1,000 to 2,300 m above sea level at the end of February 2012 and February 2013, when snow height reached a maximum of more than 6 m at the highest peak in the catchment. Water samples were continuously collected from six springs (Jeita, Kashkoush, Labbane, Assal, Afqa, and Rouaiss). Jeita spring water samples were collected additionally in daily time steps during the snowmelt season in 2012. Mean isotope values of the sampled springs range from −6.8‰ to −8.2‰, and from −33‰ to −44‰, for δ18O and δ2H, respectively. The stable isotope data show that input variability (space and time, snow cover, and rainfall) has direct impacts on mean altitude estimates of spring catchments. A more profound interpretation of spring response to rainfall for six local springs in the Lebanon Mountains was possible in comparison to four earlier described springs collected in the Anti-Lebanon Mountains in Syria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Groundwater recharge estimations are necessary for sustainable management of groundwater resources. Among various hydraulic, hydrogeological and hydrological approaches, tracer methods are proposed to improve groundwater recharge estimations. Soil water isotope-based estimates of groundwater recharge rates were developed in the 1960s and have been applied in more than 40 studies reviewed within this manuscript. This comprehensive review research distinguishes three fundamental research approaches: (1) labelling method with tritium or deuterium, which can be used to trace unsaturated zone water movement, (2) tracing soil water movement using a seasonal signal of stable isotopes in precipitation, mainly applied in humid zones, and (3) interpretation of an evaporation signal that impacts soil water stable isotope composition, mainly applicable in arid and semiarid regions. More recently, advances in soil water extraction and analytical methods allow a higher sampling resolution and in situ measurements of soil water stable isotopes. Analytical advances may strengthen and improve the applicability of stable isotope methods for quantitative recharge. We present, compare and discuss studies of unsaturated zone isotope profiles with an emphasis on necessary prerequisites, such as a substantial thick porous sedimentary layer, or negative influences through high clay and silt contents or dry soil conditions. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stable isotopes (deuterium and oxygen-18) of precipitation and four springs of the Figeh spring system were studied between March 2011 and July 2012 in the karstic Anti-Lebanon Mountains in Western Syria. Almost two thirds of the drinking-water supply of Damascus City, the capital of Syria, is being exploited from the Figeh spring system. About 70 samples were collected from precipitation, and 1000 samples from springs in at least weekly time resolution. Observed mean values for Figeh spring system agree well with published data from earlier studies and are between −8.7‰ and −7.3‰ for δ18O and −50‰ and −40‰ for δ2H. Time series indicate seasonal patterns and short-term influences, reflecting direct contribution from fast runoff components during snowmelt. Deuterium excess values between 23‰ and 14‰ for the spring samples correspond to precipitation originating from the Mediterranean Sea. Own precipitation collected over one season at two stations leads to altitude effects of −0.14‰/100 m and −1.15‰/100 m for δ18O and δ2H, respectively, which are lower than those reported in earlier work. Mean catchment altitudes were estimated using values for low-flow periods, which lead to 1800 m a.s.l. for Figeh Main spring, 1500 m a.s.l. for Haroush spring and about 1100 m a.s.l. for the springs Kefar Aloumed and Ein Habeeb. Stable isotope concentrations uniquely characterize springs that are located close together, and estimated recharge catchment altitudes allow a profound risk management. Catchment altitude estimations strongly depend on a proper description of precipitation stable isotope input. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The age stratification of a freshwater lens on the island of Langeoog, Germany, was reconstructed through depth-specific sampling and groundwater dating using the tritium-helium method. The stratification is strongly affected by the land use and resulting differences in recharge rates. Infiltration at the dune tops is significantly lower than in the valleys, due to repellency of the dry sand. Dune valleys contribute up to four times more groundwater recharge per area than other areas. Housing development in dune areas might therefore significantly decrease the available fresh groundwater. The freshwater column shows a distinct increase of stable isotope values with decreasing depths. Hence, the freshwater lens contains a climate archive which reflects changing environmental conditions at the time of recharge. Combined with tritium-helium dating, this pattern could be matched to climate records which show an increase of the temperature at the time of recharge and rainfall rates during the last 50 years. The spatial and temporal developments of water chemistry during the passage through the lens follow a marked pattern from a sodium and chloride-dominated rainwater of low conductivity to a more mineralized sodium bicarbonate water type, caused by dissolution of carbonate shells close to the surface and subsequent ion exchange of calcium for sodium in the deeper parts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the stable isotope composition of snow cover and streamflow in a forested watershed under different canopy conditions. Precipitation, streamflow, and meteorological data were continuously monitored. According to the authors, the isotope concentration ranges reflect the variations in sublimation, melting of snow cover, precipitation, and accumulation. Snow and streamflow samples from an uncut and partial cut forest were enriched in heavy isotopes of oxygen and hydrogen. They conclude that isotope enrichment was primarily the result of sublimation of snow intercepted by the canopy.

This study investigated the influence of meteorological, pedospheric and physiological factors on the water relations of Scots pine, as characterized by the origin of water taken up, by xylem transport as well as by carbon isotope discrimination (Δ13C) and oxygen isotope enrichment (Δ18O) of newly assimilated organic matter. For more than 1 year, we quantified δ2H and δ18O of potential water sources and xylem water as well as Δ13C and Δ18O in twig and trunk phloem organic matter biweekly, and related these values to continuously measured or modelled meteorological parameters, soil water content, stand transpiration ( ST) and canopy stomatal conductance ( Gs). During the growing season, δ18O and δ2H of xylem water were generally in a range comparable to soil water from a depth of 2–20 cm. Long residence time of water in the tracheids uncoupled the isotopic signals of xylem and soil water in winter. Δ18O but not Δ13C in phloem organic matter was directly indicative of recent environmental conditions during the whole year. Δ18O could be described applying a model that included 18O fractionation associated with water exchange between leaf and atmosphere, and with the production of organic matter as well as the influence of transpiration. Phloem Δ13C was assumed to be concertedly influenced by Gs and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) (as a proxy for photosynthetic capacity). We conclude that isotope signatures can be used as effective tools (1) to characterize the seasonal dynamics in source and xylem water, and (2) to assess environmental effects on transpiration and Gs of Scots pine, thus helping to understand and predict potential impacts of climate change on trees and forest ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]