The role of principles and methods in loess-paleosol investigations

In the process of loessification, the development of loess fabric, the role of zonal, regional and partly of local environmental factors is regarded decisive. In the loess sequences various genetic types of loess pockets and paleosols occur and reflect different climatic and paleogeographical conditions.As a consequence, even within a single profile the colour, grain size and mineral composition, CaCO₃ content, degree of weathering and fabric of loess may vary. Zonal, regional or even local variations in such loess properties may equally derive from syngenetic or postgenetic processes. For similar reasons, spatially and temporally different forms, types and subtypes of paleosol also developed.This way, loess and soil formation resulted in various spatial types in the same glacial, interstadial or interglacial phase in the various geographical zones and regions. Although there exist major loess regions where the interglacial soils (eg brown forest soils) are markedly distinct from interstadial steppe soils or from other types of humic soils, continental loess areas can also be observed where the paleosols developed under interglacial and interstadial conditions (eg steppe or forest steppe soils) cannot be referred into different genetic types. In such cases the changes in paleoenvironments are difficult and uncertain to reconstruct.The interregional correlation of paleosols is occasionally hindered by the various terminologies applied to denote them. In addition, there are uncertainties concerning the dating and identification of paleoenvironments of polygenetic soils and of soil complexes consisting of paleosol units: how many soil formation phases they represent and how long erosional gaps can be reckoned with between these phases.     

黄土的本质与形成模式

根据显微结构鉴定,有机质分析,颗粒分析,CaCO₃测定和野外观察、统计等资料,研究了黄土的本质和形成模式。资料表明,黄土具有土壤的各种结构,具有指示草原和森林草原土壤发生特征的CaCO₃和CaSO₄淀积成分,含有土壤的有机质;黄土的本质是土壤,是在相对冷干气候条件下发育的多种灰黄色狭义土壤,而且是在当时当地气候条件下处于稳定状态的发育成熟的古土壤;黄土形成模式是风尘经草原、森林草原和荒漠草原区的成壤作用形成土壤的模式。黄土高原是世界上土壤资源最深厚、最富集的地区,黄土的工程地质性质和水文地质性质在很大程度上取决于成壤作用的强弱。     

西峰和西安黄土中盐碱化古土壤气候意义的初步探讨

对西峰和西安黄土剖面中古土壤的研究揭示出,作为重要气候地层标志的S₄和S₅古土壤竟有盐化和碱化现象。盐碱化特性直接关系到如何认识这些古土壤的气候意义。土壤化学、微形态及粘土矿物分析表明,上述古土壤以草原土特征为主,并在气候最宜期发育了森林植被。盐碱化特性并非产生于土壤被埋藏以后,而是古土壤发育末期的产物。该时期大气粉尘堆积似乎是可溶盐的来源。     

Holocene loess deposition and soil formation as competing processes, Matanuska Valley, southern Alaska

Although loess–paleosol sequences are among the most important records of Quaternary climate change and past dust deposition cycles, few modern examples of such sedimentation systems have been studied. Stratigraphic studies and 22 new accelerator mass spectrometry radiocarbon ages from the Matanuska Valley in southern Alaska show that loess deposition there began sometime after 6500 ¹⁴C yr B.P. and has continued to the present. The silts are produced through grinding by the Matanuska and Knik glaciers, deposited as outwash, entrained by strong winds, and redeposited as loess. Over a downwind distance of 40 km, loess thickness, sand content, and sand-plus-coarse-silt content decrease, whereas fine-silt content increases. Loess deposition was episodic, as shown by the presence of paleosols, at distances >10 km from the outwash plain loess source. Stratigraphic complexity is at a maximum (i.e., the greatest number of loesses and paleosols) at intermediate (10–25 km) distances from the loess source. Surface soils increase in degree of development with distance downwind from the source, where sedimentation rates are lower. Proximal soils are Entisols or Inceptisols, whereas distal soils are Spodosols. Ratios of mobile CaO, K₂O, and Fe₂O₃ to immobile TiO₂ show decreases in surface horizons with distance from the source. Thus, as in China, where loess deposition also takes place today, eolian sedimentation and soil formation are competing processes. Study of loess and paleosols in southern Alaska shows that particle size can vary over short distances, loess deposition can be episodic over limited time intervals, and soils developed in stabilized loess can show considerable variability under the same vegetation.     

细沟形成对坡面产流产沙过程的影响

为探明细沟形成条件下不同土壤坡面水沙变化特性,利用室内模拟降雨试验,分析了塿土和黄绵土在细沟发育及已有细沟条件下的水沙过程变化规律。结果表明,塿土产流快,易形成细沟,细沟发育有明显的规律性,在坡面上呈平行状分布,细沟密度与坡度密切相关,细沟存在会延长产流时间;黄绵土产流慢,较难形成细沟,细沟发育随机性大。细沟发育对产流过程没有明显影响,土壤入渗快慢是两种土壤产流过程存在差异的主要原因。细沟发育程度加剧,会使塿土含沙量的增加速度加快,达到稳定含沙量的时间提前,坡面已有细沟只对稳定含沙量有明显影响,细沟密度增加会使稳定含沙量提高;黄绵土含沙量的变化主要取决于细沟发育过程中的随机性,当细沟侵蚀以崩塌作用为主时,含沙量会出现急剧增加,即使雨强较小,也会产生严重的土壤侵蚀。     

Geomorphological processes and landforms in the southern part of the Polická vrchovina Highland (Czech Republic)

The paper examines relations among geomorphological processes and the landforms of the Polická vrchovina Highland in the Bohemian Massif. Geologically, the Polická vrchovina Highland is a part of the Intra-Sudetic Basin on the boundary between Bohemia and Poland. The basin structure of the Highland developed during the neotectonic period. In the outer parts of the Highland, Mesozoic rocks dip gently to the centre of the basin to form cuestas. In the central part, layers are horizontal or subhorizontal. Mesas (Hejda and Osta Mesa) provide evidence of the erosion of the Mesozoic deposits. The relative uplift of the Highland resulted in the incision of the Metuje River and its tributaries. Unloading of rocks and erosion initiated typical geomorphological processes such as deep- seated creep, cambering, rockfalls, landslides and pseudokarst processes. These processes produced some typical forms controlled by rock properties, jointing, relative differences in height and climatic changes in the Tertiary and Quaternary.     

Pedogenic alteration of aeolian sediments in the upper loess mantles of the Russian Plain

Study of the upper loess strata within the profile of surface soils highlighted the role of pedogenesis in the formation of characteristic features of loess. Loess-paleosol sequences within the study area are influenced by their position in paleocryogenic microrelief. Clear evidence of sequential loess sedimentation, accompanied by slope processes and pedogenesis, is present in soil profiles within former thermokarst depressions. Different stages of loess sedimentation are marked by cryomorphic features, solifluction stripes and buried humus horizons. The balance between the rate of sedimentation, intensity of slope processes and pedogenesis changed within the upper 3 m of loess strata. Corresponding loess strata in inter-depression areas were also formed by sequential accumulation of aeolian dust, gradually altered by initial pedogenesis that left weakly developed soil profiles without clear horizonation. Pedogenesis resulted in diverse complexes of secondary carbonates, loose soil fabric and microfabric with abundant pores of biogenic and cryogenic nature, as well as other features, characteristic of soils of cold arid environments. The uniformity of these features throughout the upper loess strata confirms the synlithogenic nature of pedogenesis that accompanied loess accumulation.     

晋中马兰黄土的K0固结特性

静止土压力系数K₀描述土体的原位应力状态,是许多工程计算的重要参数。本文通过等应变速率K₀固结试验,研究原状和重塑马兰黄土的K₀变化规律,并探讨这种变化与内部结构的关系。结果表明：(1)原状和重塑马兰黄土的K₀均不是恒定值,根据土体结构的变化,其固结过程可分为初始阶段和稳定阶段。初始阶段K₀(以K_0i表示)随含水率的增加呈线性增长,稳定阶段K₀(以K_0s表示)随含水率的增加呈双曲线增长,且K_0s始终大于K_0i。(2)原状马兰黄土的K_0i小于重塑马兰黄土,原因在于原状马兰黄土具有很强的簇聚结构,这种竖向结构弱化了水平应力的增长;而重塑马兰黄土趋于均质,呈各向同性,进而导致较高的K_0i。(3)稳定阶段,原状马兰黄土的初始结构被破坏,与重塑马兰黄土近似,使得两者的K_0s相近。(4)相较于其他类土,原状马兰黄土的...     

A study of Late Pleistocene loess deposits,South Canterbury,New Zealand: Part II. Paleosols and their stratigraphic implications

Examination of loess columns in coastal South Canterbury, New Zealand, and the recognition of paleosols with comparable morphology to surface soils allowed the division of the loess column into six members. The upper loess members 1–4 are grouped into a proposed Dashing Rocks Formation. This commonly overlies an erosion surface on Timaru Basalt, but in some situations is underlain by loess member 5 and mixed loess and weathered basalt member 6. The paleosol developed on loess member 5, on both morphological and chemical evidence, is indicative of a period of soil formation of longer duration or greater intensity than is indicated by the overlying paleosols or surface soils. Therefore members 5 and 6 are grouped into a separate formation.A radiocarbon chronology for loess members 1 and 2 of the Dashing Rocks Formation, suggests loess accumulation phases from 9900 to 11,800 and prior to 31,000 radiocarbon yr BP, followed by periods of soil formation and contemporary peat development in surface depressions.A hypothesis is presented suggesting that at least loess members 1 and 2 of the Dashing Rocks Formation accumulated during periods of glacial recession which in turn precipitated fluvial and eolian erosion, transport and redeposition of fluvioglacial deposits. The periods of soil development indicated by the paleosols were initiated during warm interstadial conditions and continued throughout the cooling of the following stadial. Such an interpretation has its parallels in the northern hemisphere but is in slight disagreement with previous glacial and fluvioglacial chronologies accepted in New Zealand.     

Some specific problems of wetted loessial soils in civil engineering

Bally, R.J., 1988. Some specific problems of wetted loessial soils in civil engineering. Eng. Geol., 25: 303–324.

Loessial soils, wetted above the limit of collapsibility, remain in the category of difficult foundation grounds. Some case histories are presented herein: surpassing soil bearing capacity and non-stabilized settlements of buildings after initially dry loess wetting; slow but nondamped settlements or damped but great and, eventually, non-uniform settlements of structures erected on wet loess; supplementary settlements by water level lowering in loessial ground; great settlements of deep foundations passing through the collapsible loess to the underlaying wet but noncollapsible loess. Research on wetted loess performed in the laboratory (oedometer, triaxial) or in situ (full-scale experiments or real constructions) have emphasized the dependence of the soil structural resistance, deformability (compressibility and deformation under constant volume) and final resistance on both the moisture content or stress-state and on their history; the depth propagation of the active zone of surface loadings on wetted loess is different from that of the linear elastic theory; some suggestions to estimate the depth of the active zone are presented. The usual foundation systems on wetted loessial grounds, or in their vicinity, adopted in Romania include: loessial or gravel cushions; surface compaction (very efficient results of intensive dynamic compaction); foundation “stamping” or loessial ground “reinforcing”. It is recommendable to take into consideration: surveyed wetting under construction until maximum moisture content of the loessial ground; in situ columns of stabilized loess; the efficiency of geotextiles for filter-drainage and antierosional functions in loessial soils.     

High‐resolution quantification of earthworm calcite granules from western European loess sequences reveals stadial–interstadial climatic variability during the Last Glacial

High concentrations of calcite fossil granules produced by earthworms (ECG) have been identified in most of the stratigraphical units along the loess‐palaeosol reference sequence of Nussloch (Germany). They are particularly abundant in interstadial brown soils and in tundra gley horizons, the latter reflecting short‐term phases of aggradation then degradation of permafrost. These granules are characterized by a radial crystalline structure produced in the earthworms by specific bio‐mineralization processes. In our study, we used this biological indicator combined with ¹⁴C and OSL dating, and sedimentological parameters to characterize millennial‐time scale climatic variations recorded in loess sequences. The approach is based on high‐resolution counts of ECG throughout a 17‐m‐thick loess sequence (332 samples). Strong increases in granule and mollusc concentrations suggest warmer climate conditions during palaeosol formation phases, associated with increasing biodiversity, biological activity and vegetation cover. Decreased granule concentrations occur within primary loess deposits, indicating a strong correlation with palaeoenvironmental conditions and demonstrating the reliability of ECG concentration variations as a new palaeoenvironmental proxy. Finally, this pattern is also recorded in loess sequences located about 600 km westward in northern France demonstrating the large‐scale validity of this new palaeoclimatic proxy.     

中国黄土和阿拉斯加黄土磁化率气候记录的两种模式探讨

在中国和中欧黄土-古土壤研究中发现的磁化率与成壤作用(或古气候温湿程度)的正相关性已被第四纪科学家广泛认识,并应用于古气候研究中.成壤过程形成的亚铁磁性矿物被认为是古土壤磁化率增加的主要原因;然而,这一模式并不一定适用于其他黄土沉积地区,如阿拉斯加和西伯利亚黄土沉积显示了一个完全相反的磁化率行为,即在黄土层获高磁化率值而在古土壤层获低磁化率.这种相反的关系过去被解释为磁化率反映的是与风动力吹来的亚铁磁性矿物的含量,即与风速或风力大小有关.本研究发现阿拉斯加黄土与古土壤的磁性矿物性质有明显差异,不仅仅是粒径的大小,还有磁性矿物的种类即矿物相的差别.这一证据很难单纯以风力强度的大小来解释,意味着阿拉斯加古土壤的低磁化率至少部分是在成壤过程中亚铁磁性矿物发生改变(如溶解)而造成,表明阿拉斯加黄土和中国黄土的磁化率与古气候记录可能存在两种模式,即氧化和还原条件下的成土模式.黄土磁化率在不同的气候(温度湿度)条件下有着不同的对应关系:在低降水量、高蒸发量的干旱氧化成壤条件下,利于亚铁磁性矿物的生成,其磁化率与古气候的关系呈正相关,如中国和中亚黄土;在高纬高湿的还原成壤条件下,亚铁磁性矿物会被破坏被分解,其磁化率与古气候呈负相关关系,如阿拉斯加黄土.如果成壤条件在氧化和还原之间来回变换,那么就很难找到两者之间的联系.因此,将磁化率应用于古气候的重建时要加倍的小心.     

黄土高原红粘土成因及上新世北方干旱化问题

本文通过对黄土高原第三纪红粘土的野外观察，以及沉积学和地球化学分析，得到能证明红粘土为风成沉积的新证据。另外，佳县红粘土沉积的土壤学特征表明，上新世时期的东亚夏季风强度总体强于第四纪。     

风尘堆积常见的同沉积和沉积后改造特征及其环境意义

黄土堆积作为气下沉积,任何一个深度都曾经暴露于地表,因而必然受到相关地表过程的作用.由于这些过程均发生于特定的环境条件下,形成的特征多数具有明确的环境意义;而黄土在沉积后也可能受到各种地质过程的改造,从而对研究中常用的气候代用指标有一定影响.文章基于野外、微形态等分析,结合前人成果,对我国北方新近纪风尘堆积中常见的同沉积和沉积后改造特征、形成过程及环境意义进行研究.由于一些特征在黄土堆积中具有普遍性,可作为识别风成堆积的标志和环境事件研究的指标,并有助于全面理解常用的替代指标的环境意义.     

Determination of the mineral composition of similar types of paleosols intercalated in loess sequences

The mineral composition of paleosols intercalated in series of young loess was determined. The following conclusions were drawn:

1. The mineralogical composition of the total soil showed correlation with the ecological conditions having prevailed during sedimentation.
2. The processes of soil formation can be described well by the mineral composition of the fraction of particle size less than 0.002 mm. It displays strong similarities in the fine-dispersed fractions of soils representing identical genetic types from different loess profiles. Since paleosols of identical type are assumed to have formed under similar climatic conditions, the latter can be characterized by the mineral composition of the fine-dispersed fraction.

     

基于微结构失稳假说及广义吸力理论的黄土体变模型

针对原状非饱和及饱和黄土的体积变形问题,提出了一个复合体计算模型。该模型将黄土看作由各自均匀分布于土中的原状部分和扰动部分组成的,这两部分土体的体积比率,可由黄土结构的微观几何模型、孔隙率密度曲线及考虑广义吸力的微结构失稳条件计算得出。假设原状部分仅发生弹性变形,扰动部分符合重塑土的变形规律。复合体的应变增量包括原状部分的弹性、重塑土的塑性及结构崩塌3部分;其中：结构崩塌变形特指微结构失稳时原状土体的孔隙率突然变为重塑土的孔隙率;重塑土的体积应变形采用广义吸力理论计算。采用不同的初始饱和度的黄土结构强度计算出非饱和土微观结构刚度与饱和度的函数,从而获得非饱和土黄土微观结构失稳的判别条件。分别计算了低含水天然非饱和及饱和黄土的压缩曲线,并与试验结果对比说明了模型的合理性。     

Properties of magnetic mineralogy of Alaskan loess: evidence for pedogenesis

The in situ pedogenic enhancement of ferrimagnetic content provides the well-established patterns of magnetic susceptibility variation within mid- to low-latitude loess deposits such as those of China and Central Europe. However, this pattern of high magnetic susceptibility in palaeosols, and lower values in unweathered loess, is not replicated in the higher-latitude loess deposits of Alaska and Siberia. In these localities the relationship is inverted, with high values in loess, and low values in palaeosols. This inverse relationship has been explained by the idea that magnetic susceptibility is reflecting the magnitude of an aeolian ferrimagnetic component of consistent mineralogy, the grain size of which is related to average wind velocity. However, the results of the magnetic study presented in this paper suggest that there are differences in magnetic properties between Alaskan loess and palaeosols, not only in magnetic grain size and concentration but also in magnetic mineralogy. This complicates the simple hypothesis of a `wind velocity’ signal by introducing an additional factor into the climatic signal. In contrast to the enhancement of susceptibility observed in palaeosols of the Loess Plateau, China, we suggest that the low magnetic susceptibility values in the Alaskan palaeosol units are a reflection, at least in part, of the alteration of the ferrimagnetic content by post-depositional processes associated with waterlogging (i.e. gleying) of the soils.     

Stress deformation properties of macroporous loess soils

Milovic, D., 1988. Stress deformation properties of macroporous loess soils. Eng. Geol., 25: 283–302.

Herein are presented the results of laboratory and field tests which were carried out on loess in Yugoslavia.

Experience gained during recent decades show that the loess soil in some cases undergoes structural collapse and subsidence due to inundation. In order to find the explanation of such behaviour, numerous laboratory and field load tests on loess soil have been performed. Using the obtained results, several correlations have been established.

On the basis of the unconfined test results, a correlation between the initial dry density, initial water content and unconfined compression strength has been established.

A relatively large number of the consolidation subsidence tests (about 550), carried out on undisturbed loess samples, made possible the determination of the degree of subsidence and the corresponding values of the dimensionless coefficients of subsidence. These coefficients have been determined for several values of the initial dry density, for various degrees of saturation and for several stress levels upon wetting. Using these coefficients, the values of the additional settlement caused by flooding of loess under the foundation can easily be calculated. It is of particular interest to note that, in general, water penetrates under one part of the building, producing differential settlements, which are in most cases very dangerous.

By the comparative laboratory investigation of the undisturbed loess samples obtained by thin walled sampler and samples obtained from pits, it has been shown that the mechanical disturbance is an extremely important factor which governs the shear and deformation parameters of loess soils.

The laboratory test results obtained on undisturbed loess samples, cut from blocks in the vertical and horizontal direction, have shown that this soil exhibits anisotropic properties. For this reason a stress deformation problem in an anisotropic medium has been treated by the finite element method.

Static penetration tests and field load tests in loess soils with natural water content and also after saturation have been performed and are described.

The results of the observed settlements for two statically identical multi-storey buildings are also presented. Using the coefficients of subsidence for the undisturbed samples cut from blocks, very good agreement between the calculated and the observed settlements has been obtained.     

Assessment of loess as parent material for agroecological potential

Due to its physical and chemical properties, areas with a loess mantle of proper thickness favour arable farming. Loess as a parent material promotes the formation of soils of good structure, nutrient supply and water budget. The ongoing land evaluation project places particular emphasis on the consideration of parent material in its scoring system as soil and climatic parameters are assessed in conjunction with the grain size composition of subsurface material and soil texture.A test area most suitable for the presentation of the method seems to be a sandy alluvial fan with loess mantle and this circumstance allows the contrasting of the agroecological potentials of soils developed on the two parent materials of different nature.The favourable water storage properties of loess make this deposit particularly valuable under the conditions of climatic aridification. The geographical information system applied here is capable of simulating the agroecological potential changes caused by reduced precipitation, increased evaporation and dropping groundwater levels.The research for this paper was carried out as part of the MEDALUS II (Mediterranean Desertification and Land Use) collaborative research project. MEDALUS II was funded by the EC under its Environment Progamme, contract no. EV5V 0128/0166. A grant was also provided by the OTKA (Hungarian National Science Foundation), project no 1278. The support is gratefully acknowledged.     

Chronology of the Last Climatic Cycle (Upper Pleistocene) of the Surduk loess sequence, Vojvodina, Serbia

The Surduk loess section in Serbia provides a 20 m thick pedosedimentary record of the last interglacial–glacial climatic cycle (Upper Pleistocene). Based on optical dating, a chronostratigraphy could be established for the last climatic cycle, yielding the first numerical ages of a loess record from the middle Danube basin. Infrared-stimulated luminescence (IR-OSL) dating has been applied to the polymineral silt fraction using a multiple aliquot additive-dose protocol to determine the equivalent dose ( D _E ). Within error limits, all age estimates are in stratigraphic order. Owing to the application of shine-plateau tests, the samples showed no evidence of insufficient bleaching. The Surduk loess section comprises three major periods of soil formation. Based on the IR-OSL chronostratigraphy, the lowermost pedocomplex is attributed to the Last Interglacial and to the Early Glacial (Marine Isotope Stage – MIS 5e to 5a). The middle part of the section exhibits a succession of weakly developed brown soils and a humic horizon, named 'Surduk soil', formed during MIS 3. On top of the section, recent soil formation is related to the Holocene. Thick loess deposits are preserved between these palaeosols and are attributed to the Lower and Upper Pleniglacials (MIS 4 and 2), respectively. Estimated mean sedimentation rates are 0.1–0.2 mm/yr for the last glacial cycle, with a strong increase to 0.6 mm/yr with onset of the Pleniglacial.