Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-5306
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-5306
03 Dec 2025
 | 03 Dec 2025

Arctic Sea Ice Loss Amplifies Local Evaporation Influence on Water Vapor Isotopes: Insights from Cruise Observations

Yuankun Zhang, Zhongfang Liu, Dongsheng Li, Zhiqing Li, and Hebin Shao

Abstract. Rapid Arctic warming and sea ice retreat have increased atmospheric humidity, yet the relative contributions of local evaporation and advected lower-latitude moisture remain poorly quantified. Here, we present high-resolution, ship-based in-situ measurements of near-surface water vapor isotopes across diverse Arctic sea ice regimes. By integrating isotope fractionation models with multi-source meteorological data, we show that sea ice changes act as a key modulator of Arctic water vapor isotopic variations. Under ice-covered conditions, water vapor isotopes are controlled by Rayleigh distillation, producing depleted δ18O with a strong temperature dependence and elevated d-excess from ice-phase processes. As sea ice retreats, kinetic fractionation from local evaporation becomes increasingly important, particularly at temperatures above ~ 5  °C, generating enriched δ18O, elevated d-excess, and a characteristic "anti-temperature" effect. A Bayesian isotope mixing model quantifies the resulting moisture source shift, showing local evaporation contributions rise from 9.3 % in ice-covered regions to 22.7 % in melt regions, despite advected moisture remaining predominant. These findings establish a process-based isotope framework for the Arctic hydrological cycle, complementing conventional meteorological diagnostics and offering a robust benchmark for interpreting paleo-isotope archives.

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Journal article(s) based on this preprint

11 Aug 2026
Arctic sea ice loss amplifies local evaporation influence on water vapor isotopes: insights from cruise observations
Yuankun Zhang, Zhongfang Liu, Dongsheng Li, Zhiqing Li, and Hebin Shao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 26, 11189–11205, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-11189-2026,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-11189-2026, 2026
Short summary
Yuankun Zhang, Zhongfang Liu, Dongsheng Li, Zhiqing Li, and Hebin Shao

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-5306', Anonymous Referee #1, 16 Jan 2026
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Yuankun Zhang, 27 Feb 2026
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-5306', Anonymous Referee #2, 16 Jan 2026
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Yuankun Zhang, 27 Feb 2026

Peer review completion

AR – Author's response | RR – Referee report | ED – Editor decision | EF – Editorial file upload
AR by Yuankun Zhang on behalf of the Authors (27 Feb 2026)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Referee Nomination & Report Request started (27 Feb 2026) by Franziska Aemisegger
RR by Anonymous Referee #2 (16 Mar 2026)
RR by Zhongwang Wei (04 Apr 2026)
RR by Anonymous Referee #4 (14 Apr 2026)
RR by Anonymous Referee #1 (24 Apr 2026)
ED: Reconsider after major revisions (04 May 2026) by Franziska Aemisegger
AR by Yuankun Zhang on behalf of the Authors (13 Jun 2026)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Publish subject to minor revisions (review by editor) (10 Jul 2026) by Franziska Aemisegger
AR by Yuankun Zhang on behalf of the Authors (14 Jul 2026)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Publish as is (15 Jul 2026) by Franziska Aemisegger
AR by Yuankun Zhang on behalf of the Authors (20 Jul 2026)  Manuscript 

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-5306', Anonymous Referee #1, 16 Jan 2026
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Yuankun Zhang, 27 Feb 2026
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-5306', Anonymous Referee #2, 16 Jan 2026
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Yuankun Zhang, 27 Feb 2026

Peer review completion

AR – Author's response | RR – Referee report | ED – Editor decision | EF – Editorial file upload
AR by Yuankun Zhang on behalf of the Authors (27 Feb 2026)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Referee Nomination & Report Request started (27 Feb 2026) by Franziska Aemisegger
RR by Anonymous Referee #2 (16 Mar 2026)
RR by Zhongwang Wei (04 Apr 2026)
RR by Anonymous Referee #4 (14 Apr 2026)
RR by Anonymous Referee #1 (24 Apr 2026)
ED: Reconsider after major revisions (04 May 2026) by Franziska Aemisegger
AR by Yuankun Zhang on behalf of the Authors (13 Jun 2026)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Publish subject to minor revisions (review by editor) (10 Jul 2026) by Franziska Aemisegger
AR by Yuankun Zhang on behalf of the Authors (14 Jul 2026)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Publish as is (15 Jul 2026) by Franziska Aemisegger
AR by Yuankun Zhang on behalf of the Authors (20 Jul 2026)  Manuscript 

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

11 Aug 2026
Arctic sea ice loss amplifies local evaporation influence on water vapor isotopes: insights from cruise observations
Yuankun Zhang, Zhongfang Liu, Dongsheng Li, Zhiqing Li, and Hebin Shao
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 26, 11189–11205, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-11189-2026,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-11189-2026, 2026
Short summary
Yuankun Zhang, Zhongfang Liu, Dongsheng Li, Zhiqing Li, and Hebin Shao
Yuankun Zhang, Zhongfang Liu, Dongsheng Li, Zhiqing Li, and Hebin Shao

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Short summary
Arctic warming and melting sea ice are changing how moisture forms and moves through the atmosphere. To find out where this moisture comes from, we measured water vapor composition during a research voyage across the Arctic. We discovered that as sea ice melts, local evaporation increases but long-distance transport from lower latitudes still dominates. By understanding this shift, we can better predict future Arctic climate and more accurately interpret clues about the past from ancient ice.
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