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

Abstract

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.