Nuclear Sciences in Climate Studies: fingerprinting precipitation origins using isotope tracers

The IAEA has operated the Global Network of Isotopes in Precipitation (GNIP), a joint WMO and IAEA network, since 1961. Isotopes fall under the category of Nuclear Sciences and hence isotope hydrology highlights the important role that peaceful uses of Nuclear Sciences play in climate change modelling and development of climate adaptation strategies.

The isotopic composition gives precipitation an isotope fingerprint that can be used for tracing changes in the hydrological cycle. Since future projections of climate change are mainly based on assessment of past and present hydroclimate variation, fingerprinting water isotopes can support conventional hydrometeorological parameters, validate global climate models and trace specific hydrological and atmospheric processes such as water source trajectories, moisture transportation and precipitation formation. Understanding these processes helps to understand perturbations in the hydrological cycle that result in extreme weather events, such as floods and drought that are affecting many parts of the planet and generating humanitarian crises.

The main focus of the event will be a panel discussion involving members of developing countries on the importance of the GNIP database for understanding water resources and climate adaptation strategies, including impact of extreme weather events on communities in developing countries. The event will begin with a formal resigning of the WMO-IAEA GNIP agreement.