Select the category the research project fits.
Physical Sciences
Is this submission part of ICaP/PW (Introductory Composition at Purdue/Professional Writing)?
No
Abstract
Isotopes are very useful in understanding hydrologic processes. When water evaporates, the lighter isotopes will evaporate more quickly than their heavier counterparts. When collecting water samples in an open environment, we want to make sure that what we are sampling is what fell. The purpose of this study was to test two techniques to limit evaporation and observe the isotope composition of water before and after evaporation, and how the weights of the isotopes effect the water composition before after a test period. Various methods were used to test how evaporation can be slowed. Nine collectors were filled with various volumes of deionized water and left in an open area. Three were left open to the air, three were covered with a ping pong ball, and three had a thin layer of mineral oil. The initial samples were collected as well as the masses, then analyzed for isotope composition. The collectors were then left for almost a month to evaporate. The final samples were weighed and taken to analyze the isotope composition. The open collectors (control) had the greatest evaporation rates, followed by the ping pong balls, then the mineral oil. The data showed that after evaporation, the heavier isotope of 18O were more abundant than the lighter isotope of 17O. The data suggested a collector could be left open for 1 month if oil is used to limit evaporation and the isotopes would not be affected. These collectors can be used to collect fog on or near coastlines and will be deployed in Arequipa Peru for an upcoming project. The mineral oil layer had the best results in hindering evaporation and halting the change in the isotope composition of the water.
Recommended Citation
Westerberg, Brianna, "Effects of Evaporation on Rain Water Isotope Composition" (2019). Purdue Undergraduate Research Conference. 64.
https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/purc/2019/Posters/64
Effects of Evaporation on Rain Water Isotope Composition
Isotopes are very useful in understanding hydrologic processes. When water evaporates, the lighter isotopes will evaporate more quickly than their heavier counterparts. When collecting water samples in an open environment, we want to make sure that what we are sampling is what fell. The purpose of this study was to test two techniques to limit evaporation and observe the isotope composition of water before and after evaporation, and how the weights of the isotopes effect the water composition before after a test period. Various methods were used to test how evaporation can be slowed. Nine collectors were filled with various volumes of deionized water and left in an open area. Three were left open to the air, three were covered with a ping pong ball, and three had a thin layer of mineral oil. The initial samples were collected as well as the masses, then analyzed for isotope composition. The collectors were then left for almost a month to evaporate. The final samples were weighed and taken to analyze the isotope composition. The open collectors (control) had the greatest evaporation rates, followed by the ping pong balls, then the mineral oil. The data showed that after evaporation, the heavier isotope of 18O were more abundant than the lighter isotope of 17O. The data suggested a collector could be left open for 1 month if oil is used to limit evaporation and the isotopes would not be affected. These collectors can be used to collect fog on or near coastlines and will be deployed in Arequipa Peru for an upcoming project. The mineral oil layer had the best results in hindering evaporation and halting the change in the isotope composition of the water.