Areal distribution of the oxygen-isotope ratio in Antarctica: Comparison of results based on field and remotely sensed data

H. Jay Zwally*, Mario Giovinetto, Mike Craven, Vin Morgan, Ian Goodwin

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

An updated compilation of oxygen-isotope ratio data for 562 sites in Antarctica shows a significant increase in the number of sites and an improvement in the representation of the coastal zone over previous versions. The data base consists of ratio values (δ18O; multi-year mean 18O/16O relative to Standard Mean Ocean Water, in ‰) compiled as the dependent variable, together with data for the so-called independent variables: latitude, surface elevation, mean annual surface temperature and mean annual shortest distance to open ocean denoted by the 20% sea-ice concentration boundary. The problem of covariation between so-called independent variables is minimized using step-wise regression analyses. A general model is described using all the field data, and the regional variation at drainage-system scale is assessed by contrasting models for two physiographically distinct regions. In addition, entity-specific models are determined using data subsets for the conterminous grounded-ice and ice-shelf areas. Inversions of the specific models are applied to a 100 km grid data base to produce two contoured distributions of the ratio, one based on field data, and the other on remotely sensed data. The difference between these produces residuals that, relative to the summation of standard errors of the models, are small in most of the interior area of the ice sheet, and large in several areas of mountain and coastal regions, where interpolation and extrapolation of field data are particularly unreliable. Remotely sensed data generally produce ratio values which are isotopically cooler.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)583-590
Number of pages8
JournalAnnals of Glaciology
Volume27
Publication statusPublished - 1998
Externally publishedYes

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Areal distribution of the oxygen-isotope ratio in Antarctica: Comparison of results based on field and remotely sensed data'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this