Water isotope mapping of moisture recycling
We are developing surveys of surface and groundwaters that will be integrated with climate and hydrological modeling to map fluxes of water between the land surface and atmosphere. Moisture ‘recycling’ from the land surface is a poorly understood hydrological flux that may be important in sustaining many ecosystem and human water resources.
Map of isotope ratios in tap water across the contiguous United States

The IREH group and collaborators at the University of Utah have shown that mapping of tap water isotope ratios provides basic information on the source and history of drinking water (Green: Non-local sources such as mountain runoff, rivers and aqueducts; Tan/white:Local water; Red: Non-local or modified sources such as reservoirs w/ high evaporative loss)

 

Sampling Indiana river water for isotopic analysis

Sampling Indiana river water for isotopic analysis.
Personnel: Ellen Pittsford