Simulations of stable isotopic fractionation in mixed cloud in middle latitudes - Taking the precipitation at Ürümqi as an example

The introduced mathematical model takes into account the role of the kinetic fractionation effect in a supersaturation environment at the ice surface as liquid and solid phases coexist in mixed cloud. Using the model, the temperature effect of stable isotopes in precipitation is simulated under different cooling conditions. The rate of change of δ18O against temperature in the process of wet adiabatic cooling is smaller than in the process of isobaric cooling under the same humidity. The increasing supersaturation ratio at the ice surface, Si, leads to the strengthening of the kinetic fractionation effect. The kinetic fractionation function makes the synthesis fractionation factor decreased and the change of δ18O with temperature flatted, compared with that in the equilibrium state. The simulated results show that the slope parameter b and the intercept d of the meteoric water line (MWL), δD = bδ18O+d, in wet adiabatic cooling are both greater than those in isobaric cooling. The global MWL lies between the two MWLs simulated under wet adiabatic and isobaric cooling processes, respectively. The magnitudes of b and d are directly proportional to Si. The greater the Si, the stronger the kinetic fractionation effect, and thus the greater the b and d, and vice versa. However, b and d have low sensitivity to the liquid-water contents in the cloud. Using the kinetic fractionation model, the variation of stable isotopes in precipitation at Ürümqi is simulated. The simulated stable isotopic ratio vs temperature and the δD vs δ18O curves are very consistent with the actual regressions and MWL at Ürümqi, respectively.