Continuous monitoring of surface water vapour isotopic compositions at Neumayer Station III, East Antarctica

Abstract. In this study, the first fully continuous monitoring of water vapour isotopic composition at Neumayer Station III, Antarctica, during 2-year period from February 2017 to January 2019 is presented. Seasonal and synoptic-scale variations in both stable isotopes H218O HDO are reported, their links key meteorological variables analysed. addition, diurnal cycle isotope summer months (December 2017/18 2018/19) has been examined. Changes local temperature specific humidity main drivers for variability ?18O ?D on seasonal shorter timescales. contrast measured variations, no Deuterium excess signal (d) detected. However, a rather high uncertainty d values especially austral winter limits confidence finding. Overall, shows stronger inverse correlation with than temperature, between cloudy-sky conditions clear-sky summertime. Back-trajectory simulations performed FLEXPART model show that synoptic coincide changes sources transported III. general, moisture transport pathways east lead higher temperatures more enriched vapour, while weather situations southerly winds lower depleted values. several occasions, linked wind direction were observed, which not accompanied by corresponding change. Comparing compositions III snow samples taken vicinity station reveals almost identical slopes, ?18O–?D relation temperature–?18O relation.