Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1080/10256016.2013.835809
Title (Primary) Stable isotopes in river waters in the Tajik Pamirs: regional and temporal characteristics
Author Meier, C.; Knoche, M.; Merz, R.; Weise, S.M.
Source Titel Isotopes in Environmental and Health Studies
Year 2013
Department CATHYD
Volume 49
Issue 4
Page From 542
Page To 554
Language englisch
Keywords altitude effect; Central Asia; hydrogen-2; oxygen-18; Pamir; seasonal variations; surface water, water cycle
UFZ wide themes RU2;
Abstract The Gunt River catchment in the Central Pamirs is a representative of the headwater catchments of  the
Aral Sea Basin. It covers 14,000 km2 , spanning altitudes between 2000 and 6700 m a.s.l. In a
monitoring network, water samples were taken at 30 sampling points every month and analysed for the
stable water isotopes (18 O and 2 H). Our first results show δ2 H values in the range from −131.2
to −94.9 ‰ and δ18 O values from −18.0 to −14.0 ‰. The stable isotope patterns in the catchment
seem to follow a systematic way, dominated by an altitude effect with a mean ßδ2 H = −3.6 ‰/100 m.
The observed seasonal variations can be explained by geographical aspects such as the influence of
different wind systems as well as melting processes.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=14311
Meier, C., Knoche, M., Merz, R., Weise, S.M. (2013):
Stable isotopes in river waters in the Tajik Pamirs: regional and temporal characteristics
Isot. Environ. Health Stud. 49 (4), 542 - 554 10.1080/10256016.2013.835809