Understanding the source and evolution of precipitation stable isotope composition across O‘ahu, Hawai‘i, USA

Abstract

Pacific Islands present unique challenges for water resource management due to their environmental vulnerability, dynamic climates, and heavy reliance on groundwater. Quantifying connections between meteoric, ground-, and surface waters is critical for effective water resource management. Analyses of the stable isotopes of oxygen and hydrogen in the hydrosphere can help illuminate such connections. This study investigates the stable isotope composition of rainfall on O‘ahu in the Hawaiian Islands, with a particular focus on how altitude impacts stable isotope composition. Rainfall was sampled at 20 locations from March 2018 to August 2021. The new precipitation stable isotope data were integrated with previously published data to create the most spatially and topographically diverse precipitation collector network on O‘ahu to date. Results show that δ18O and δ2H values in precipitation displayed distinct isotopic signatures influenced by geographical location, season, and precipitation source. Altitude and isotopic compositions were strongly correlated along certain elevation transects, but these relationships could not be extrapolated to larger regions due to microclimate influences. Altitude and deuterium-excess were strongly correlated across the study region, suggesting d-excess may be a reliable proxy for precipitation elevation in local water tracer studies. Analysis of spring, rainfall, and fog stable isotope composition from Mount Ka‘ala suggests fog may contribute up to 45% of total groundwater recharge at the summit. These findings highlight the strong influence of microclimates on the stable isotope composition of rainfall, underscore the need for further investigation into fog's role in the water budget, and demonstrate the importance of stable isotope analysis for comprehending hydrologic dynamics in environmentally sensitive regions.