Stable isotopic (δ2H, δ18O) monograms of winter precipitation events and hydro-climatic dynamics in Central Mexico

Abstract The unusual winter storm event of March 2016 brought excess rainfall in the Central part of Mexico and this study attempts to determine the moisture sources by characterizing the rainwater isotopes (δ18O, δ2H) and understanding their monthly spatial variations. Rainwater samples from six different stations (Agua Blanca, Molango, Mexico City, Pachuca, Tula and Tulancingo) of Mexico were sampled in March, April and May 2016. Enriched isotopic signatures in Tulancingo during March exhibited a mixture of moisture sources in which the predominant source was from the North followed by the Gulf of Mexico, while the depleted isotopic levels in Pachuca and Tula moisture from the recycling of inland vapour. However, the isotopic characterization in the month of April presented no much variations in δ18O values irrespective of the station (−2.31 to −2.56‰), signifying that the prime moisture source is mainly from the inland sources and migrated from the central parts to the Gulf of Mexico. In contrast, the inland migration of the vapour source from Gulf of Mexico was witnessed in May with both the continental and the amount effect. However, the enriched δ18O values in Tulancingo and Agua Blanca in May were found to be −0.84‰ and −1.44‰ respectively, with significant lesser d-excess values.