Stable isotopes in tree rings from the Russian Arctic— a proxy for winter precipitation?

Abstract

This paper describes a study demonstrating that stable carbon and oxygen isotopes in tree rings from the NE European Russian Arctic are closely related to measured winter precipitation. It is emphasized that the thickness of the snow cover and the timing of snow melt have a strong impact on ring width and the delta 13C and delta 18O composition of the ring cellulose, as the early summer months are most critical for wood formation. Cellulose isotopes may therefore be used as a proxy for winter precipitation, provided that the site specific conditions are sufficiently well understood.