Precipitation origin and evaporation of lakes in semi-arid Patagonia (Argentina) inferred from stable isotopes ((delta)18O, (delta)2H)

Stable isotope approaches are often used for estimating water balances of lakes. Such studies require regional background information about hydrogen and oxygen isotope variability of lakes and their potential inflows. Here, a stable isotope database ((delta)2H and (delta)18O) is presented for estimating evaporation to inflow ratios (E/I) of lakes in semi-arid southern Patagonia. Water samples of 23 lakes and ponds located in the Patagonian steppe at about 52°S were sampled during three subsequent austral summers. Two deep crater lakes, Laguna Azul and Laguna Potrok Aike, were studied in more detail during a two-years monitoring. Furthermore, precipitation, groundwater and atmospheric water vapor were sampled for isotope analyses. Presented data imply that the isotopic composition of rainfall in southeastern Patagonia is predominantly determined by precipitation amount and moisture source area. For the investigated area, the first meteoric water and evaporation lines in (delta)2H vs. (delta)18O space are presented. The database was further used to estimate the water balances of the two crater lakes, Laguna Azul and Laguna Potrok Aike, which are in the focus of recent paleoclimatic investigations. According to that approach about 50% and 60%, respectively, of the water entering Laguna Azul and Laguna Potrok Aike via surface and subsurface inflow evaporates. These results testify a considerable flow of lake waters into the groundwater.