Spatial variability in stable isotopes from Lesotho surface waters: insights into regional moisture transport.

东莱索托高地被称为南非的“水塔”。该区域的水文气候对于通过莱索托高地水项目供应南非境内的基础设施至关重要。然而，莱索托很容易受到气候变化的影响，湿度模式的变化可能对水的可用性产生重大影响，预测表明莱索托可能在21世纪末经历缺水。降水的氢、氧同位素是水分来源的重要示踪剂，可用于更好地了解水文气候过程。然而，同位素数据在整个南部非洲是有限的。该项目将包括在莱索托进行两次季节性地表水取样活动，通过同位素分析评估水分来源的时空变异性。这些数据将与反向轨迹HYSPLIT模型相结合，以更好地了解水分来源路径。这些信息可以用来帮助决策者改善莱索托和南非的水资源管理。

The Eastern Lesotho Highlands are known as the 'water towers' of South Africa. The hydroclimate of the region is critical for supplying infrastructure within South Africa through the Lesotho Highland Water Project. However, Lesotho is vulnerable to climate change and shifts in moisture patterns could have major implications on water availability with projections indicating that Lesotho may experience water scarcity by the end of the 21st century. Hydrogen and oxygen isotopes of precipitation are important tracers of moisture sources and can be used to better understand hydroclimate processes. However, isotopic data is limited across Southern Africa. This project will consist of two seasonal surface water sampling campaigns in Lesotho to assess the temporal and spatial variability of moisture sources through isotope analysis. The data will be integrated with back trajectory HYSPLIT modelling to provide a better understanding of moisture source pathways. This information can then be used to help inform policy makers to improve water resource management within Lesotho and South Africa.