Modeling Mediterranean lake isotope variability

Palaeorecords of lake oxygen isotope records across the Mediterranean basin show general regional trends but vary in the magnitude of variability and absolute isotope value. Theoretical models of lake isotope mass balance can help to understand and quantify these differences. Here, 5 sites from the WMO, 2004/WMO Global Network for Isotopes in Precipitation, in varying climatological settings across the Mediterranean basin, are used to model the response of lakes with varying hydrology to common climate forcings. The effects of geographical location, hydrological closure, residence time and climate on lake water isotope values are investigated. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.