Formation of Isotope Parameters (D, ¹⁸O, and d) of Glaciers and Water Runoff from Severny Island of the Novaya Zemlya Archipelago

Isotope studies (delta D and delta O-18) were performed for the glaciers of Severny Island (Novaya Zemlya Archipelago). The studied glaciers were characterized by narrow range-of delta D and delta O-18 values (from -15.4 to -17.6 parts per thousand and from -110.9 to -127.1 parts per thousand, respectively). The samples of glacier ice form a linear trend within the delta D-delta O-18 coordinates with low slope (s< 7). The isotope signature of water runoff from Severny Island point mainly to the glacial origin of the waters. The isotope parameters of glacial ice from the Novaya Zemlya Archipelago deviated from the values expected for western transfer of air masses under the latitudinal effect compared to glacial ice from other Arctic archipelagoes (Svalbard, Severnaya Zemlya, and Franz Josef Land). These parameters were similar to those for atmospheric precipitation over the continent near the town of Amderma. The slope of the trend, deuterium excess values, and narrow variation range of delta D and delta O-18 values of ice might be caused by seasonal freezing of meltwater in firn layers within the closed system condition.