Climatic Controls associated to the isotopic composition variability on rain at São Francisco river headwaters

• Grant number: 25/06784-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2025
• End date: August 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Geosciences - Geology
• Principal Investigator: Didier Gastmans
• Grantee: Tomás Lyra Lutterbach
• Host Institution: Centro de Estudos Ambientais (CEA). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Rio Claro. Rio Claro , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The study of isotopic composition plays a fundamental role in understanding the hydrological cycle. By utilizing stable isotopes of the water molecule (¿²H and ¿¹¿O), it is possible to trace the hydrological cycle, including groundwater, surface water, and meteoric water across temporal and spatial scales through their distribution in natural waters. With a heightened focus on precipitation in the context of climate change, advancing research on meteorological processes, particularly those governing rainfall formation, has become increasingly critical. This study aims to identify the climatic parameters that directly influence the variability of isotopic composition in precipitation within the Serra da Canastra region, with a specific focus on the headwaters of the São Francisco River. Given the socioeconomic significance of the São Francisco River basin, there is an urgent need for comprehensive studies on regional climatic phenomena, leveraging isotopic composition to enhance understanding of local precipitation patterns. Meteorological data have been collected daily since September 1, 2021, by the technical team of Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio), at Serra da Canastra National Park. The data, alongside precipitation samples, are submitted monthly to the Environmental Studies Center (CEA) at São Paulo State University (UNESP), Rio Claro campus. (AU)