Global Water Vapor Stable Isotope Dataset

Water vapor isotopes can directly record source-region conditions, transport pathways, and phase-change fractionation information. They are fundamentally important for understanding atmospheric water-cycle processes and their evolution under global warming. However, the fragmentation of global water vapor isotope data and its uneven spatiotemporal distribution limit our understanding of the vapor cycle and climate variability. This study developed a unified and comparable global stable water vapor isotope dataset and analyzed its global spatial patterns and the primary driving factors. We systematically integrated published literature, the Global Network of Isotopes in Water (GNIW), and the PANGAEA database to compile a global water vapor isotope database covering the period from 1981 to 2021. The establishment of this global water vapor isotope dataset supports improved understanding of atmospheric water-cycle processes under climate warming and provides a data foundation for hydrological, meteorological, and ecological research.