ISÓTOPOS EN PRECIPITACIÓN EN ARGENTINA. APLICACIONES EN ESTUDIOS HIDROLÓGICOS E HIDROGEOLÓGICOS

DAPEÑA, CRISTINA; PANARELLO, HECTOR

Quito, Ecuador

Congreso; IX Congreso Latinoamericano de Hidrología Subterránea; 2008

ALHSUD, EMAAP, GECAIH, CIGMYP (Ecuador) y Alcadía Metropolitana de Quito

Long-term records of the isotope content of precipitation are essential for the knowledge of the input function in hydrologic systems.  They are of great importance for the development of investigations like global and regional water balances, palaeoclimate studies (Proxy data), atmospheric processes (validation of global circulation models), geothermics, etc.  The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) initiated in 1960 a world-wide survey devoted to the measurement of isotope contents in precipitation samples, called GNIP (Global Network for Isotopes in Precipitation).  Within this framework, the Instituto de Geocronología y Geología Isotópica (INGEIS, CONICET-UBA) established a National Collector Network (RNC), which is operating since 1978.  The main objective is the evaluation of the spatial and temporal distribution of the isotope contents in precipitation and their dependence on relevant meteorological parameters, providing basic input data to hydrological investigations.  The network operation is based on the monthly collection of composite precipitation samples at selected locations.  These data are complemented by meteorological information such as temperature and amount of precipitation.  The number of stations of the RNC should increase in areas where the climatic archives are located, especially where the effects of the climatic change are expected to be more pronounced.  Data produced by this Network allow their application to diverse areas of the knowledge in different geographic zones and also, the technology transference towards other disciplines.