Distribution of Palygorskite in the Lingtai Profile of Chinese Loess Plateau: Its Paleoclimatic Implications

Palygorskite is a typical indicator mineral of the arid and strong evaporation environment. Distribution of palygorskite in loess-red clay sequences may act as an important indicator for reconstruction of the paleoenvironment and paleoclimate. In this paper, field emission scanning electron microscope and high-resolution transmission electron microscope observations on the red clay-loess-paleosol of the Renjiapo profile at Lingtai, Gansu Province indicate that palygorskite occurs widely in red clay sequences formed before 3.6 Ma, but no occurrence has been found in eolian sediments since 3.2 Ma. Micromorphological features and microstructure of palygorskite show that it is an autogenic mineral formed during pedogenesis, and transformed from iilite-montmorilionite under the pore water action. In the Lingtai profile, the disappearance horizon of palygorskite is consistent with those of increasing magnetic susceptibility, dust flux and depositional rate. The distribution of palygorskite in the profile indicates that the interval of around 3.6 Ma was an important transformation period of the East Asian paleomonsoon, when changes took place in the East Asia paleoclimate pattern, i.e. a high-frequency strong fluctuation alternative evolution of the environment. Therefore, palygorskite is a key indicator mineral of the East Asian paleomonsoon evolution of that time.     

Zircon U-Pb Ages of Quaternary Loess-Paleosol Sequences from the Luochuan Section: Implication for Sediment Provenance

<正>Objective The sediment provenances of the thick Quaternary Loess-Paleosol sequences of the Chinese Loess Plateau can provide clues to the evolution of the paleoclimate and paleoenvironment in East Asia.Furthermore,based on the proposed sediment sources and transport routes,the evolution of the East Asian monsoon can be evaluated.     

Experimental Study of Dissolution‐Alteration of Amphibole in a Hydrothermal Environment

Amphibole is a rock-forming mineral widely existing on the earth. It is easily dissolved and altered during the later stage of diagenesis and mineralization, and often forms chloritization, which is an important indicator for prospecting. To explore amphibole's dissolution process and alteration mechanism, dissolution experiments were carried out under acidic conditions using pargasite-rich amphibole as raw material, and the effects of temperature, p H, and experiment duration on amphibole alteration were investigated. Experimental samples and products were analyzed using X-ray diffractometer, field emission scanning electron microscope, electron probe micro analyzer, and transmission electron microscopy. It was found that many pores and erosion edges are produced after amphibole dissolution, and there is a clear interface between the dissolved residual portion and the parent. The dissolved residual portion remains in the amphibole phase, but as the temperature and time increase, the intensity of the diffraction peak of the phase in the product decreases, and the peak position shifts to a small angle. Many clay minerals such as chlorite and griffithite formed on the amphibole surface. In an environment with strong acidity(p H=3), the amount of chamosite increases with temperature(180°C→210°C→240°C), whereas clinochlore is only increased in a 150–210°C environment. Griffithite growth was observed in the acidic(p H=6) and low temperature(180°C) environments. Based on this analysis, large radius Cl– enters the amphibole lattice or cracks to promote dissolution. The Al-poor and Ca-and Fe-rich regions between the edge and core of the amphibole are caused by dynamic equilibrium in amphibole dissolution and alteration process, which is an essential indicator for the beginning of amphibole dissolution-alteration. Diffusion and the coupled dissolution-reprecipitation mechanism accomplishes the process of dissolution and alteration to form clay minerals. The energy of the system determined by temperature and p H is the key to controlling the rate of growth and nucleation of clay minerals. High temperature and strong acidity will dissolve more iron from amphibole, which is conducive to chlorite growth. Compared to chlorite, griffithite is more sensitive to temperature. Griffithite attaches on the amphibole surface with a star-like in a weak acid and low-temperature environment. The results of this study can provide a mineralogical basis for the analysis of hydrothermal alteration processes and the division of alteration zones.     

Leachate Lithium Characteristics of Loess-paleosol Sequences on the Chinese Loess Plateau and their Paleoclimatic Significance

The geochemical components of the leachate from loess-paleosol deposits can provide information about climate-related post-depositional processes. For example, leachate lithium ([Li]leachate) is a potential paleoclimate proxy because lithium is a typical lithophile element that is readily adsorbed by clay minerals during weathering and pedogenesis, and thus stratigraphic variations in [Li]leachate can reflect these processes. We investigated the [Li]leachate values of two loess-paleosols profiles (the Luochuan and Weinan sections), on a north–south climatic gradient on the Chinese Loess Plateau. Independent paleoclimate information was provided by measurements of magnetic susceptibility, grain size, Rb/Sr ratios, and clay mineral content. During the last glacial-interglacial period, [Li]leachate increased from 0.39 to 1.97 μg/g at Luochuan and from 0.67 to 2.45 μg/g at Weinan, mainly due to increasing pedogenesis. Based on these results we developed a conceptual model to explain the variations in [Li]leachate. Li+ within loess layers is mainly derived from dust input and the decomposition of primary minerals, influenced by the East Asian winter monsoon, while in paleosol layers Li+ is mainly derived from clay mineral adsorption during pedogenic processes, influenced by the East Asian summer monsoon.     

河北平原东半部钻孔岩心中粘土矿物的电子显微镜研究

Six clay mineral phases are recognized by means of electron microscope examination in a drilling profile in the eastern part of the Hobei Plain. Based on the relationship between these clay mineral phases, strata in this profile are divided into two groups, i.e., the upper and the lower groups. Five subgroups can be further distinguished within the lower group. The evolution of clay mineral phases provides indication of %he palaeoclimatic variation during this geological period.     

Paleoclimate and Paleoenvironment of Gonghe Basin, Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, During the Lastdeglacial: Weathering, Erosion and Vegetation Cover Affect Clay Mineral Formation

With the analysis of the sources and formation mechanism of the clay minerals in the sediment core from the Dalianhai lake in the Gonghe Basin,northeastern Tibet-Qinghai Plateau,clay mineral composition proxies,grain-size and carbonate contents have been employed for high-resolution study in order to reconstruct East Asian Summer Monsoon （EASM） over the northeastern Tibet-Qinghai Plateau during the lastdeglacial.The study also extended to establish a relationship between vegetation cover changes and erosion during the last 14.5 ka with pollen record and clay mineral proxies.Smectite/kaolinite and smectite/（illite＋chlorite） ratios allow us to assess hydrolysis conditions in lowlands and/or physical erosion process in highlands of the Gonghe Basin.Before 12.9 Cal ka BP,both mineralogical ratios show low values indicative of strong physical erosion in the basin with a dominant cold and dry phase.After 12.9 Cal ka BP,an increase in both mineralogical ratios indicates enhanced chemical weathering in the basin associated with a warm and humid climate.The beginning of Holocene is characterized by high smectite/（illite＋chlorite） and smectite/kaolinite ratios that is synchronous as with deposition of many peat laminae,implying the best warm and humid conditions specifically between 8.0 to 5.5 Cal ka BP.The time interval after 5.0 Cai ka BP is characterized by a return to high physical erosion and low chemical weathering with dry climate conditions in the basin.Comparing variations of clay mineral assemblages with previous pollen results,we observe a rapid response in terms of chemical weathering and physical erosion intensity to a modification of the vegetation cover in the basin.     

Characteristics and genesis of hematite in Chinese loess and paleosol sequences： Mineral genetic restriction for magnetic susceptibility as paleoclimate proxy and iron geochemistry

Hematite is an important iron oxide mineral in loess-paleosol sequences in central China. Investigation of the mineralogical characteristics, genetic mechanism and relationship of hematite with other iron oxides and Fe-bearing minerals will help understand the geochemical process before and after eolian deposit, paleocliamte significance of magnetic susceptibility and reconstruct paleoclimate in central China. So, hematite and related minerals of the loess and paleosol units from Chinese Loess Plateau were investigated using optical microscope, X-ray powder diffraction （XRD）, scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, and high-resolution transmission microscopy （HRTEM）. The results show that there are five genetic types of hematite in loess-paleosol sequences of central China： （1） weathering of Fe-bearing silicate minerals, for instance, chlorite, will release iron that is precipitated as aggregates of hematite nano-crystals on mineral surfaces; （2） hematite combined with eolian magnetite grains that resulted from partial oxidation of magnetite, even though the partial oxidation may occur in the original area; （3） phase transformation from eolian goethite to hematite; （4） hematite formed on the edge and surface of maghemite because of dissolution and hematite recrystallization; and （5） eolian detrial hematite. The hematite formed from chemical weathering of Fe-bearing silicates with nanoporous texture because of dehydration from iron hydroxide is the most important genetic mechanism. It is proposed that the fact that hematite was formed from chemical weathering of Fe-bearing silicates is a main reason for the redness in paleosol units. However, too intense pedogenesis and high amounts of precipitation will promote oxidation of eolian magnetite and maghemite dissolution, which may result in the decreasing of magnetic susceptibility.     

A New Model for Correlation between the Marine Benthic Oxygen Isotope and Red Clay Magnetic Susceptibility on the Chinese Loess Plateau

<正>Objective Aeolian sediments on the Chinese Loess Plateau contain some of the best continental archives of palaeoclimate change in the Late Cenozoic.The consensus that alternating MS in loess-paleosols in China was due to the strengthening and weakening of the East Asian palaeomonsoon provides an excellent climate record when correlated with global ice volume.Significantly,new basal dates from the red clay underlying the loess-paleosol sequence indicate that wind-blown dust began to accumulate on the Chinese Loess Plateau at least 22     

Intensification of the East Asian Monsoon in Southern China at about 300–400 kaBP Inferred from Eolian Deposits in the Middle-lower Reaches of the Yangtze River

In the East Asian monsoon region,eolian deposits widely distributed in the middle-lower reaches of the Yantgze River are among the best materials available for studies on Quaternary climate change in the subtropical zone of Southern China.Typical eolian deposits in this region include upper Xiashu Loess(XL) and underlying Vermiculated Red Soil(VRS) layers.In this paper,chronological and paleoclimatic studies are conducted on an eolian deposit sequence near Jiujiang(JJ) city in northern Jiangxi province.A magnetostratigraphic study,combined with optically stimulated luminescence(OSL) dating,is conducted on the JJ section and provides further evidence that eolian deposits in the middle-lower reaches of the Yangtze River have been formed since the late Early Pleistocene,and that the boundary age between the XL and VRS layers is about 300-400 kaBP.In grain-size records of the JJ section,the median grain-size and content of the 30 μm size fraction increase sharply after 300-400 kaBP,representing an East Asian winter monsoon intensification event.Further pollen analysis reveals differing pollen assemblages before and after 300-400 kaBP:there is an evident increase in plants adapted to grow in a warm humid environment after 300-400 kaBP,implying an increase in precipitation caused by intensification of the East Asian summer monsoon.Global ice volume and uplift of the Tibet Plateau(TP) are regarded as crucial factors influencing variations of the East Asian monsoon on a long-term scale.The deep-sea δ~(18)O record,which reflects variations in global ice volume,shows no obvious change after 300-400 kaBP.Moreover,the influence of global ice volume changes on the East Asian summer and winter monsoons is inverse;the global ice volume increase(decrease) implies a strengthened(weakened) winter monsoon and weakened(strengthened) summer monsoon.We therefore interpret the coupled intensifications of the East Asian summer and winter monsoons at about 300-400 kaBP to the uplift of the TP in the Middle Pleistocene.This climate event is also documented in eolian deposits from the southern margin of the Chinese Loess Plateau(CLP) and from the desert-loess transitional belt.However,it is not recorded in the loess-paleosol sequences from the central part of the CLP,thereby indicating differing climate responses to TP uplift in different regions,which requires further study.     

Laumontitization as an Exploration Indicator of Epithermal Gold Deposits： A Case Study of the Axi and Other Epithermal Systems in West Tianshan, China

In the light of field investigation, microscopic study, X-ray phase analysis and mineral infrared spectral analysis, it is considered that laumontitization is of extensive occurrence in the Axi gold orefield. The development of laumontitization and its relationship to mineralization show that the laumontitization appeared mainly at the top of and in the periphery of orebodies, and occurred at the edge of the epithermal system or at the late stage of epithermal system evolution. Therefore, laumontitization can be used as an exploration indicator of epithermal gold deposits. The fluids responsible for laumontitization in the Axi gold orefield are similar to those producing hot spring-type gold deposits or those from modem geothermal fields. Epithermal mineralization of the Axi gold deposit was dated at Carboniferous, indicating that the West Tianshan of China is a region favorable to epithermal-type gold mineralization and preservation. Hence the West Tianshan of China is a target area for exploring epithermal gold deposits.     

近1Ma以来帕里西维拉海盆沉积物物源和古气候:粒度和黏土矿物特征的指示

通过对西太平洋帕里西维拉海盆的C-P19柱状样沉积物进行磁化率各向异性测量和古地磁分析,建立了磁性地层年代框架,并结合粒度组分和黏土矿物分析,揭示了沉积物中蕴含的物源和古气候信息.古地磁结果表明,C-P19柱状样的底界年龄小于1.072 Ma,为更新世以来的沉积,沉积过程可以划分为两个阶段,沉积速率分别为4.0 mm/...     

上新世以来伊豆-小笠原海脊黏土矿物的来源与古气候意义

对伊豆-小笠原海脊(ODP 782A孔)上新世以来沉积物中黏土矿物的组成、含量及矿物学特征进行了分析,结果表明:黏土矿物以伊利石(42%)和蒙皂石(42%)为主,绿泥石的平均含量为14%,高岭石的含量最低,平均仅为2%。伊利石的结晶度较好,平均为0.25°Δ2θ;化学指数较低,平均为0.31;表明伊利石主要形成于干冷的气候环境。通过将ODP 782A孔黏土矿物组合特征和含量与周边可能源区对比,并结合伊利石和蒙皂石的矿物学参数特征,我们认为蒙皂石主要来源于伊豆-小笠原海脊周边岛弧火山物质;伊利石、绿泥石和高岭石主要来自亚洲大陆风尘。上新世以来(伊利石+绿泥石)/蒙皂石比值总体上呈增加的趋势,并且在5.3~3.6、3.6~1.6、1.6~0 Ma的三个阶段表现出不同的变化特征,该比值与全球深海δ¹⁸O值所记录的全球变冷、北太平洋ODP 885/886孔风尘通量和灵台黄土沉积速率,以及日本海U1430站伊利石/蒙皂石比值所指示的亚洲内陆干旱变化的总体变化趋势和阶段性变化的时间点大致同步,表明该比值敏感地响应了全球变冷和亚洲内陆的干旱。上新世以来(伊利石+绿泥石)/高岭石比值表现为高/低交替变化,分别与中国灵台黄土磁化率高/低变化相对应,由于黄土磁化率记录了亚洲内陆干/湿变化,因此该黏土矿物比值敏感地响应了亚洲内陆的古气候变化,因而可以作为可靠的亚洲大陆干/湿变化示踪指标。     

准噶尔盆地南缘坡缕石矿物学特征及古气候指示意义

为深入研究准噶尔盆地南缘新生界古气候演化过程,采用X射线衍射(XRD)和扫描电镜(SEM)等手段对准噶尔盆地南缘(准南)新生界地层泥岩、砂岩中粘土矿物成分、坡缕石矿物学特征进行了系统分析。分析结果表明,新生界泥岩中粘土矿物组成主要有蒙脱石、伊利石、坡缕石和绿泥石等;坡缕石是指示干旱-半干旱气候条件的特征矿物,呈纤维状、束状等形态,其形态及与周围矿物的接触关系说明坡缕石为典型自生成因,坡缕石、伊利石、绿泥石构成的粘土矿物组合所反映的干旱气候与地层颜色变化相吻合。     

黄土高原黄土和太平洋沉积物 Nd，Sr 同位素变化的比较

东亚季风环流引起的风尘物质的搬运和堆积，形成了我国的黄土高原。最近几年发表了一些对太平洋沉积物 Nd和 Sr同位素的研究结果(Asahara,1999；Asahara 等，1995；Pettke 等，2000)。由于亚洲大陆是太平洋沉积物中风尘物质的主要来源之一，所以将黄土高原研究结果和太平洋沉积物的研究结果相比较，可以得出一些有益的结论。探讨黄土的源区，采用全岩样品进行 Sr 同位素研究不适合。对黄土样品进行了一系列酸淋洗实验（盛雪芬等，2000；Yang 等，200结果证明，选用弱醋酸淋洗，可以有效地去除黄土和古土壤中的方解石，而对白云石、粘土矿物和长石等结构的破坏程度可以忽略。本次研究的灵台剖面位于黄土土高原中部甘肃省平凉地区灵台县以南约13 km 的五星塬任家坡村，它是迄今为止在黄土高原发现的厚度最大的记录最完整的风尘堆积序列之一，其最早时代可达7.8 Ma B P。灵台剖面古土壤酸不溶物的87Sr/86Sr一般高于黄土的87Sr/86Sr。此次测试的黄土、古土壤和红粘土样品分粒级实验（杨杰东等，2005）显示，小于2μm的细颗粒部分具有最高的87Sr/86Sr，而其他颗粒部分的87Sr/86Sr均较低。因此，黄土高原剖面的87Sr/86Sr与小于2μm颗粒部分的比例，或与粘土矿物的含量有关，因为在小于m的细颗粒部分中主要是粘土矿物（图。     

Red clay deposits on the Chinese Loess Plateau during 11.0–2.6?Ma and its implications for long-term evolution of East Asian monsoon

Loess and red clay on the Chinese Loess Plateau have produced a detailed history of the East Asia monsoon for the past eight million years. Recently, a well-conserved red clay sequence was discovered at Shilou on the eastern edge of Chinese Loess Plateau, extending the monsoon history back to approximately 11 Ma. By comparing lithologic features, particle size distribution, magnetic susceptibility and deposition rate of Shilou red clay sequence, the paleomonsoon evolution from 11 to 2.6 Ma can be divided into four stages: largely fluctuated stage (11.0–8.0 Ma), relatively strengthened period (8.0–6.5 Ma), extremely changed stage (6.5–4.9 Ma) and further intensified period (4.9–2.6 Ma). The new evidence indicates that variation of paleomonsoon has close relationship with uplifting of the Tibetan Plateau and ongoing global cooling and the consequent expansion of ice sheets during 11.0–2.6 Ma.     

黄河中游三趾马红粘土的岩石学研究及古气候意义--以陕西府谷老高川三趾马红粘土剖面为例

将岩石学研究方法引入三趾马红粘土研究中,利用薄片系统观察、电镜扫描、Ｘ－射线衍射、粒度分析及化学分析手段,对红粘土的岩石学、微结构及形态学进行较为细致的研究。结果表明,各粘土层下部的沉淀层系成壤过程中钙质从上部土壤中淋滤并向下迁移再沉淀的结果。土壤中粘化层的光性定向粘粒及淀积铁质粘胶膜的发育程度受古气候及淋滤作用强度的控制。红粘土形成过程中主要为干旱、半干旱－半湿润气候的草原疏林环境,也有湿润气候的森林环境出现。府谷老高川三趾马红粘土剖面记录了四个大的气候旋回     

中国东部中新世风尘沉积的发现及其研究意义

黄土高原红粘土古气候与古环境研究取得巨大进展。已知最老的红粘土时代达到22 Ma，在亚洲晚新生代环境演变研究，特别是在指示亚洲内陆干旱荒漠化、高原隆升的环境效应等方面有重要意义。结合野外实地调查和室内粒度、磁化率、扫描电镜和地球化学实验分析结果，对南京附近灵岩山剖面的沉积特征与风尘沉积证据进行了探讨。在灵岩山剖面玄武岩下覆的松散沉积层中有厚度超过4 m的风尘沉积层，时代在12 Ma以前，为迄今中国东部发现的新生代最老的风尘沉积物，是中新世季风气候出现之后的产物，推测与秦安红土剖面记录的15～13 Ma快速强烈粉尘沉积阶段一致，并和南极冰盖15 Ma开始扩大造成的全球降温事件有关联。     

黄土高原红粘土序列与晚第三纪的气候事件

红粘土序列由7个古土壤组合和与之相间的红色黄土组合组成,它们是建议的地层划 分和对比的一级单位。系统的古地磁研究表明,黄土高原风尘沉积开始的年龄约为7．2MaB．P．,它标志着晚新生代亚洲内陆干旱化的开始,可能意味着青藏高原在此时达到了有意义的高度,东亚古季风环流基本建立。风尘沉积速率与夏季风强度在长时间尺度上的耦合揭示了它们与青藏高原高度的共同联系,也意味着青藏高原可能经历了多次隆升和夷平过程;第四纪黄土-古土壤序列是2.6～2.8MaB.P．全球冰期-间冰期气候旋回建立的证据。     

南海北部中新世以来粘土矿物特征及东亚古季风记录

应用X射线衍射(XRD)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM) 和X射线能谱(EDS) 分析技术对南海北部ODP1146站中新世以来(~20 Ma) 粘土矿物的组成、结晶学特征、微形貌和化学成分进行了研究, 分析了粘土矿物的物质来源及其记录的东亚季风演化历史.1146站粘土矿物组合的总体特点是以伊利石和蒙脱石为主, 高岭石和绿泥石含量较低.物源分析表明, 1146站蒙脱石主要来自于吕宋岛, 伊利石和绿泥石来自于珠江和台湾(长江), 而高岭石则主要来自于珠江.1146站的粘土矿物不仅被南海周围物源的同时代气候所控制, 而且为相互消长的不同传输作用(表层洋流) 的强度所影响.1146站(伊利石+绿泥石) /蒙脱石比值可以用来作为东亚季风演化的矿物学标志.指标变化显示出东亚冬季风强度和冬季风相对夏季风的强度在15 Ma、8 Ma和3 Ma左右发生了3次显著加强, 结果可以与黄土、北太平洋风尘沉积、南海微体古生物记录等很好对比.青藏高原的阶段性隆升可能促进了东亚季风的这3次加强.