How do precipitation events modify the stable isotope ratios in leaf water at Lhasa on the southern Tibetan Plateau?

Serving as a medium between source water and cellulose, leaf water contributes to the isotope ratios (delta O-18, delta H-2) of plant organic matter, which can be used for paleoclimate reconstruction. This study is the first to examine the diurnal variations in the delta O-18 and delta H-2 of leaf water on the southern Tibetan Plateau. The delta O-18 and delta H-2 of leaf water were relatively low when precipitation events occurred. In particular, O-18 and H-2 of leaf water became extremely depleted 5 h after the precipitation event. Our findings demonstrate that precipitation can modify the isotope ratios of leaf water from external and internal causes. First, precipitation events affect meteorological elements, lead to decreases in leaf transpiration, and immediately weaken the isotope enrichment of leaf water ('rapid effect' of precipitation). Second, precipitation events affect the internal plant-soil water cycle process, causing the plant to preferentially use deeper soil water, and the corresponding isotope ratios of leaf water exhibit extremely low values 5 h after precipitation events ('delay effect' of precipitation). This study suggests that researchers need to be cautious in separating the signals of precipitation and hydrological processes when interpreting isotope records preserved in tree-ring cellulose archives from the Tibetan Plateau.

Automated summary

This study examines the diurnal variations in the isotope ratios of leaf water on the southern Tibetan Plateau and finds that precipitation significantly affects the isotopic composition of leaf water. Precipitation events lead to decreases in leaf transpiration and influence the plant-soil water cycle process, altering the isotope ratios of leaf water.