Palaeoclimatic record in the loess–palaeosol sequence of the Strelitsa type section (Don glaciation area,Russia) deduced from rock magnetic and palynological data

Until now, palaeoclimatic reconstructions for the major stages in the development of the Quaternary loess–palaeosol sequence on the Russian Plain have been based on pedological, palynological and faunal (vertebrates and molluscs) analyses. In order to demonstrate the palaeoclimatic influence on the magnetic properties of this sequence, the magnetic susceptibility signature of the Strelitsa type section in the Upper Don basin is compared with a detailed landscape – climate reconstruction of loess and soil from palynological data. Large amplitude fluctuations of palaeoclimate and palaeoenvironment are reflected clearly in the lithology and in the rock magnetic properties, which usually are enhanced in wet and warm interglacial periods, but stay at low levels during cold glacial epochs. Palynological climate zonation, however, is sometimes in conflict with the pedologic–magnetic record. Strong climate fluctuations, as indicated by changing pollen assemblages, are not always paralleled by corresponding changes in lithology and/or rock magnetic properties. Alternatively, light coloured illuvial horizons with low magnetic signal sometimes appear to have formed during early stages of interglacials, and the top parts of some palaeosols apparently formed during glacial stages. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A palaeomagnetic and mineral magnetic study of the loess sequence at Liujiapo,Xian, China

Employing an average vertical sampling interval of 20 cm, oriented samples were collected from 26 m of the loess section at Liujiapo, near Xian, China in order to refine the existing magnetostratigraphic record. Palaeomagnetic results reveal two short reversed-polarity subzones within a profile of predominantly normally magnetised sediments, an interpretation that is at variance with previous results from this section and from other studies of Chinese loess. Investigation of sediment mineral-magnetic properties indicates a close correspondence between down-section variations in intensity of magnetisation, susceptibility and saturation isothermal Journal of Quaternary Science remanence (SIRM), and lithology. The ratios IRM_-100mT/SIRM and SIRM/ susceptibility appear to be particularly sensitive indicators of the degree of soil development and hence of palaeoclimate.     

Late Pleistocene loess‐palaeosol sequences in the Vojvodina region,north Serbia

Late Pleistocene loess‐palaeosol sequences are widespread in the Vojvodina region, with thicknesses reaching a maximum of about 20 m. Our investigations include more than 40 of these loess sections. Geochronology of the last glacial loess‐palaeosol sequences, based on luminescence dating and amino acid racemisation, provides correlations between Upper Pleistocene loess‐palaeosol sediments in Vojvodina and comparable deposits at other European localities. Sedimentary logs of magnetic susceptibility, grain‐size measurements and carbonate content, combined with malacological evidence, indicate two main relatively cold and arid phases during the last glacial period, related to intensive accumulation of loess units L1L1 and L1L2, as well as many brief episodes of dry and windy climatic conditions, suggesting a possible relationship with cold events recorded in the North Atlantic region. Generally, late Pleistocene climate in the region was dry and relatively warm, compared with glacial period sites in central Europe, and was characterised by sharp differences between glacial and interglacial modes. New data and interpretations presented in this study emphasise the significance of loess‐palaeosol sequences in Vojvodina for the reconstruction of the temporal and spatial evolution of late Pleistocene palaeoclimate in this part of Europe. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Reliability of Relative Paleointensity Recorded in Chinese Loess–Paleosol Sediments

A detailed paleomagnetic and rock-magnetic investigation spanning loess L7 to paleosol S8 has been carried out at the Baoji and Xifeng sections. Results of anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility confirm that the studied loess–paleosol sediments retain primary sedimentary fabrics. Stepwise thermal demagnetization shows that two well-defined magnetization components can be isolated from both loess and paleosol specimens. A low-temperature component, isolated between 100°C and 200°C, is consistent with the present geomagnetic field direction, and a high-temperature component, isolated between 200–300°C and 620–680°C, includes clearly normal and reversed polarities. Isothermal remanent magnetization and thermomagnetic analyses indicate that characteristic remanent magnetization is mainly carried by magnetite and hematite. The Day plot, together with the stratigraphic variations of rock-magnetic parameters, shows that the uniformity of magnetic mineralogy and grain size fulfills the criteria for relative paleointensity (RPI) studies. RPI records have been constructed using natural remanent magnetization (NRM) intensity after thermal demagnetization at 300°C normalized by low-frequency magnetic susceptibility (NRM300/χ). The results show that the RPI record from the Baoji section, where pedogenesis is quite weak, is compatible with the stacked PISO-1500 paleointensity record, suggesting that it might reflect the paleointensity variation of the geomagnetic field. The RPI record from the Xifeng section, where pedogenesis is rather strong, indicates a clear dissimilarity with the stacked PISO-1500 paleointensity record, implying that it does not reflect the paleointensity variation of the geomagnetic field. Our new results show that the NRM300/χ from the strongly pedogenetic paleosols does not completely eliminate the pedogenetic (climatic) influence, so it might be unsuitable for a reliable paleointensity study.     

Cyclic variability in microstructure and physio-mechanical properties of the Xiashu Loess–palaeosol sequence in Nanjing, China

For the Xiashu loess–palaeosol sequence in Nanjing, China, further to our work on the cyclic variability in its chemical composition and swelling-shrinkage properties [Xia, J., Huang, G.L., Liu, Z. T., Chen, X.M., 2007. Cyclic variability in chemical composition and swelling–shrinkage properties of the Xiashu loess stratum near Nanjing, China. Pedosphere 17 (5), 666–672.], this paper studies the cyclic variability in its microstructure and physico-mechanical properties and the corresponding influence on its engineering behaviour for geotechnical and geological practices. In addition, the cyclic variability in the soil's grain-size distribution and geochemical characteristics is compared with that of the loess–palaeosol sequences at two other sites in China, indicating a geographical pattern of cyclic variation of the sequences.     

A 20‐ka climate record from Central Himalayan loess deposits

The southwest monsoon that dominated Central Himalaya has preserved loessic silt deposits preserved in patches that are proximal to periglacial areas. The occurrence of such silts suggests contemporary prevalence of cold and dry northwesterly winds. Field stratigraphy, geochemistry, mineral magnetism, infrared stimulated luminescence (IRSL) and radiocarbon dating has enabled reconstruction of an event chronology during the past 20 ka. Three events of loess accretion could be identified. The first two events of loess deposition occurred betweem 20 and 9 ka and were separated by a phase of moderate weathering. Pedogenesis at the end of this event gave rise to a well‐developed soil that was bracketed around 9 to > 4 ka. This was followed by the third phase of loess accretion that occurred around 4 to > 1 ka. Episodes of loess deposition and soil formation are interpreted in terms of changes in the strength of the Indian southwest monsoon. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A well‐established Early–Middle Pleistocene marine sequence on south‐east Zakynthos island,western Greece: Magneto‐biostratigraphic constraints and palaeoclimatic implications

The chronostratigraphy of a long, onshore Early–Middle Pleistocene marine sedimentary sequence on the south‐east part of Zakynthos island, Greece, is presented. Correlation of the succession with the isotope record of Ocean Drilling Program Site 963 reveals the combined influence of tectonics and eustacy in this area. The sequence is divided into three formations by two main unconformities that apparently relate to sea‐level lowstands associated with two major northern hemisphere glaciations, those of marine isotope stages (MIS) 22 and 12. The Zakynthos sequence in many ways is comparable with the Italian Valle di Manche section. Magnetostratigraphic and rock magnetic analyses, supported by biostratigraphy, document the position of the Matuyama/Brunhes Chron boundary (0.77 Ma), the top and base of the Jaramillo Subchron (0.99–1.07 Ma), the Cobb Mountain Subchron (1.173–1.185 Ma) and the top of the Olduvai Subchron (1.78 Ma). The underlying strata are constrained exclusively by detailed nannofossil biostratigraphy extending at least to the lowermost Pleistocene at around 2.54 Ma and therefore certainly incorporating the base of the Olduvai Subchron (1.95 Ma) and possibly the Gauss/Matuyama Chron boundary (2.58 Ma). In addition, a remarkable increase in sedimentation rate (from 3.2 and 28 cm ka^?1 to 167 cm ka^?1) and hence resolution above the Matuyama/Brunhes boundary (Middle Pleistocene) reveals one short‐lived magnetic excursion, possibly 17a (0.66 Ma), within the normal polarity Brunhes Chron. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

贵州威宁麻窝山岩溶盆地沉积物中粘土矿物特征及其古气候指示意义

利用X射线衍射等分析方法,对贵州威宁麻窝山岩溶盆地沉积物中粘土矿物进行研究,获得了粘土矿物的组成、相对含量、结晶度指数、化学指数以及相对含量比值等方面的信息,探讨该盆地的沉积环境演化特征。研究表明,粘土矿物以伊/蒙混层矿物(30%~75%)和绿泥石(10%~45%)为主,高岭石(5%~20%)和伊利石(10%)次之,基本不含蒙脱石。伊/蒙混层矿物和绿泥石含量呈负相关性。高岭石含量在剖面底部较稳定,在484cm上部出现较大的波动。伊利石结晶度和化学指数与伊/蒙混层矿物含量具有较好的正相关性,且在第Ⅰ阶段相对于其它指标较敏感,出现波动。通过综合对比分析,将研究区剖面划分为4个阶段,其是3个冷暖干湿的大循环和若干个小循环气候环境的物质记录。     

A mid to late Holocene record of palaeoclimatic changes from Nal Sarovar: a palaeodesert margin lake in western India

With a view to obtain palaeoclimatic data from a climatically sensitive region we have studied core samples from Nal Sarovar, a large shallow lake lying within the palaeodesert margin of Thar in western India. A combination of C/N ratios and δ¹³C on a radiocarbon-dated core section have been used as climatic proxies. A high-resolution record extending back to ca. 6.6 ka BP has been reconstructed. The data indicate that, in the past, climate has varied from drier to wetter than present on time-scales of few hundreds to few thousands of years. There are, however, significant differences on the timing of these wet and dry periods, when compared with the available data from lakes farther north, in Rajasthan. Further, it looks unlikely that during the 6.6 ka the catchment areas of Nal Sarovar experienced such a significant increase in rainfall as has been suggested for the Rajasthan lakes. Interestingly, drier periods in Nal Sarovar data appear to correlate well with periods of glacier expansion in Eurasia indicating that the palaeoclimatic variations recorded in Nal Sarovar are a regional feature. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Late Permian and Early Triassic evolution of the Northern Indian margin: carbon isotope and sequence stratigraphy

Abstract

The Northern part of Great-India underwent an early rifting phase in the late Paleozoic, just at the end of the large scale Gondwanian glaciation. The beginning of the rifting processes is marked by large hiatus and discontinuities (para- conformities) between the early or middle Paleozoic sedimentary succession and the discontinuous middle-late Permian Traps and transgressive sediments. The Northern Indian passive margin consists of the present High and Lower Himalaya and a small part of the Indian craton and their sedimentary cover. The Permian rift shoulder is located in the Higher Himalaya, with part being in the underthrusted Lower Himalaya. The rim basin (landward of the shoulder) is well developed in the Pottawar- Salt Range area. From the rifting to the beginning of the drifting stages (early late Permian to late early Triassic time), the sedimentary evolution is characterised by three transgressive- regressive (T-R) second order cycles, two in the late Permian and one in the early Triassic. The break-up of the rift occurred during the second cycle (late Dzhulfian).

In the Salt Range area, these three T-R cycles have been subdivided in eight third order sequences, five sequences for the upper Permian and three for the lower Triassic.

At the end of Permian, hiatuses, gaps and local erosion of part of the margin are direct consequences of a first order relative sea-level fall; this is also the time of the largest extinction event of the Phanerozoic that deeply affected the carbonate productivity and the stratal patterns. With the following worldwide sea-level rise, a rapid and large scale transgression occurred in the early Triassic, well dated and recorded on the whole margin. High rate thermal subsidence gave way to generalized pelagic deposits about 2 My after the transgression.

Profiles of whole rock inorganic carbon and oxygen isotopes from Guryul Ravine and Palgham sections in Kashmir, Nammal Gorge and Landu sections in Trans Indus Ranges (Pakistan), Thini Chu section in Kali Gandaki Valley, Central Nepal are presented in connection with the sequence stratigraphic analysis. The upper Permian record of high positive δ¹³C values are closely correlated with the second order T-R cycles and the third order sequences. The results presented in this study confirm the drastic drop of δ¹³C from the high positive values that characterised the upper Permian to lower values in the lower Triassic time. Stratigraphic correlation problems in the lower Triassic using carbon isotope geochemistry are briefly discussed. A positive δ¹³C excursion of 4–5% near the Smithian - Spathian substages boundary is observed for the first time. The δ¹⁸O values of samples from all the sections display major variations suggesting that the oxygen isotope record has been significantly affected by meteoric diagenesis, deep burial diagenesis or/and monsoon signature.     

海底金属矿产资源的开发--回顾与未来展望

占地球面积70％的海洋蕴藏着巨量的矿产资源。文章简要回顾了铁锰结核、富钴结壳及热液硫化物等海底金属矿产资源开发研究的进展、经验和挫折,并通过综合分析指出,海洋矿产资源的开发是新世纪的必然趋势,而新近在西南太平洋发现的浅成低温热液金矿可能成为海洋金属矿产开发研究的热点。     

Dust supply from river floodplains: the case of the lower Huang He (Yellow River) recorded in a loess–palaeosol sequence from the Mangshan Plateau

The Mangshan Plateau is located on the south bank of the Huang He (Yellow River) just west of the city of Zhengzhou, well outside the Loess Plateau in central China. Mixing models of the grain‐size data indicate that the loess deposits are mixtures of three loess components. Comparison of the mixing model with existing models established for a series of loess–palaeosol sequences from the Loess Plateau indicates that the Mangshan loess has been supplied from a proximal dust source, the Huang He floodplain, during major dust outbreaks. The high accumulation rates, the composition of the loess components, and especially the high proportions of a sandy loess component support this. Owing to the exceptionally high accumulation rates, the Mangshan grain size, magnetic susceptibility and carbonate records provide a high‐resolution archive of environmental and climate change. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Paleo-glacial reconstruction of the Thajwas glacier in the Kashmir Himalaya using 10Be cosmogenic radionuclide dating

Quantitative glacial chronologies of past glaciations are sparse in the Himalaya, and mostly absent in the Kashmir Himalaya. We used cosmogenic ¹⁰Be exposure dating, and geomorphological mapping to reconstruct glacial advances of the Thajwas Glacier (TG) in the Great Himalayan Range of the Kashmir Himalaya. From ¹⁰Be exposure dating of ten moraine boulders, four glacial stages with ages ～20.77 ± 2.28 ka, ～11.46 ± 1.69 ka, ～9.12 ± 1.39 ka and ～4.19 ± 0.78 ka, were identified. The reconstructed cosmogenic radionuclide ages confirmed the global Last Glacial Maximum (gLGM), Younger Dryas, Early Holocene, and Neoglaciation episodes. As per area and volume change analyses, the TG has lost 51.1 km² of its area and a volume of 2.64 km³ during the last 20.77 ± 2.28 ka. Overall, the results suggested that the TG has lost 64% of area and 73% of volume from the Last glacial maximum to Neoglaciation and about 85.74% and 87.67% of area and volume, respectively, from Neoglaciation to the present day. The equilibrium line altitude of the TG fluctuated from 4238 m a.s.l present to 3365 m a.s.l during the gLGM (20.77 ± 2.28 ka). The significant cooling induced by a drop in mean ambient temperature resulted in a positive mass balance of the TG during the gLGM. Subsequently the melting accelerated due to the continuing rise of the global ambient temperature. Paleo-glacial history reconstruction of the Kashmir Himalaya, with its specific geomorphic and climatic setting, would help close the information gap about the chronology of past regional glacial episodes.     

A preliminary study on the magnetic signatures of modern soil in Central Asia

In this study, magnetic techniques were used to characterize the surface soil from different geomorphologies (i.e., sand desert, oasis, Gobi, and dry lake) in Central Asia. Results demonstrate that the main magnetic minerals in the surface soil are magnetite, maghaemite and haematite with some paramagnetic materials. Cross plots of M _rs/M _s versus B _cr/B _c and χ_fd% versus χ_arm/saturation isothermal remanent magnetization (SIRM) indicate that the main magnetic grain sizes in surface soil are pseudo single domain (PSD) and multidomain (MD). The samples from West China (i.e., Tarim basin and Junggar basin) are dominated by magnetic minerals with larger grain size, while those from North China (i.e., Alxa plateau, Erdos plateau, and Mongolia plateau) are dominated by fine magnetic minerals. The similarity in magnetic mineral constitutions between the Chinese loess and the surface soils from Central Asia implies that the loess originated from a vast area of arid, semi-arid regions of Central Asia. The low value of concentration-dependent magnetic parameters indicates that the low concentration of magnetic minerals in the surface soils from Central Asia and the magnetic enhancement from the pedogenic take place in both the loess and the paleosols, although the progress is stronger in the latter. Translated from Quaternary Sciences, 2006, 26(6): 937–946 [译自: 第四纪研究]     

海相页岩储层矿物质孔隙的形貌-成因类型

在南方下古生界海相页岩矿物种类识别和成因判断的基础上,研究矿物质孔隙的成因类型及其对页岩储层物性的影响。以场发射扫描电镜微观形貌观测结果为主要依据,立足于页岩的矿物组成,综合考虑沉积、成岩、地质构造等因素,将南方下古生界海相页岩储层矿物质孔隙的形貌-成因类型划分为3大类：主要孔隙（顺层缝隙、泥粒孔、组分间隙、层间裂隙等）,镜下常见,数量多,对页岩储层有一定的影响;其他孔隙（晶间孔、溶蚀孔、气液包体孔、片间缝隙等）,镜下少见,局限性大,对页岩储层影响微弱;构造孔隙（构造裂隙、碎粒孔等）是地质构造活动的记录,对页岩储层具有双刃剑的作用。页岩岩性不同,主要孔隙类型不同,不同的孔隙在页岩储层中有不同的作用。     

Biosedimentary record of postglacial coastal dynamics: high‐resolution sequence stratigraphy from the northern Tuscan coast (Italy)

Integrating analysis of the benthic palaeoecological record with multivariate ordination techniques represents a powerful synergy able to provide an improved characterization of coastal depositional facies in a sequence stratigraphical perspective. Through quantitative analysis of benthic foraminifer, ostracod and mollusc associations from the postglacial succession of Core M3 (Arno coastal plain, Tuscany, Italy), and application of detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) to the mollusc sub‐data set, we offer a refined picture of stratigraphical variations in faunal content from a paralic depositional setting, and reconstruct the palaeoenvironmental gradients that account for such variations. Despite distinct ecological behaviours, and taphonomic and sedimentological constraints, a strong ecological control on meio‐ and macrofaunal biofacies and taxa turnover is documented across the study succession. Amongst all possible mechanisms that may play a role in ‘shaping’ fossil distribution, the ecological signal driven by salinity represents the most prominent factor controlling the composition of fossil associations in the cored succession. Molluscs can even provide outstanding quantitative estimates of palaeosalinity along the sampled core. When plotted stratigraphically, the three fossil sub‐data sets show consistent patterns of vertical evolution that enable prompt identification of the key surfaces for sequence stratigraphical interpretation in otherwise lithologically indistinguishable deposits. The concomitant maximum richness of species with strong marine affinity, paralleled by the highest DCA salinity estimates, allows recognition of the maximum flooding zone, dated to ～7.7 cal. ka BP, within a homogeneous succession of outer lagoon clays. These clays are sandwiched between early transgressive, swamp to inner lagoon deposits and overlying prograding coastal?alluvial plain facies.     

Rock magnetic record of Cenozoic lake sediments from the Linxia basin and aridification of the Asian inland

High resolution research of rock magnetic records and quartz sands from the Maogou Section in the Linxia basin reveals that after a relatively stable environment between 13.07 Ma and 8.6 Ma, the basin was gradually influxed by eolian dusts at about 8.6 Ma, with two rapid increases at about 6.4 Ma and 5.3 Ma, respectively. The study suggests that drying of northwest China began at 8.6 Ma and strengthened rapidly at about 6.4 Ma and 5.3 Ma. __________ Translated from Marine geology & Quaternary geology, 2007, 27(4): 103–110 [译自: 海洋地质与第四纪地质]     

Chronology of late Pleistocene Pampa loess from the Córdoba area in Argentina

In Argentina, loess/palaeosol sequences were studied from the two sections at Monte Ralo and Corralito, located near to the city of Córdoba in the east of the Pampean ranges. Infrared optically stimulated luminescence (IRSL) and thermoluminescence (TL) dating techniques were applied to set up a more reliable chronological framework for the Upper Pleistocene loess record. IRSL ages increase with depth and are stratigraphically consistent. The oldest loess exposed correlates at least to the penultimate glaciation. The luminescence dating study gives evidence for humid climate conditions with soil formation during the last interglacial period and the middle pleniglacial correlating to Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 5 and 3, respectively. Three extended periods of soil formation are recorded in the loess/palaeosol sequences at the Corralito section. These buried soils most likely correlate with the last interglacial and early last glacial period. During the Middle Pleniglacial, two palaeosols are intercalated in the loess successions. In the Córdoba area, the periods of increased loess accumulation and deposition of loessic sediments correlate with more arid and glacial periods during the Early Pleniglacial, the Middle Pleniglacial and the Late Glacial. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Stable isotopes of pedogenic carbonates from the Somma–Vesuvius area,southern Italy,over the past 18 kyr: palaeoclimatic implications

Stable isotopes were measured in the carbonate and organic matter of palaeosols in the Somma–Vesuvius area, southern Italy in order to test whether they are suitable proxy records for climatic and ecological changes in this area during the past 18000 yr. The ages of the soils span from ca. 18 to ca. 3 kyr BP. Surprisingly, the Last Glacial to Holocene climate transition was not accompanied by significant change in δ¹⁸O of pedogenic carbonate. This could be explained by changes in evaporation rate and in isotope fractionation between water and precipitated carbonate with temperature, which counterbalanced the expected change in isotope composition of meteoric water. Because of the rise in temperature and humidity and the progressive increase in tree cover during the Holocene, the Holocene soil carbonates closely reflect the isotopic composition of meteoric water. A cooling of about 2°C after the Avellino eruption (3.8 ka) accounts for a sudden decrease of about 1‰ in δ¹⁸O of pedogenic carbonate recorded after this eruption. The δ¹³C values of organic matter and pedogenic carbonate covary, indicating an effective isotope equilibrium between the organic matter, as the source of CO₂, and the pedogenic carbonate. Carbon isotopes suggest prevailing C₃ vegetation and negligible mixing with volcanogenic or atmospheric CO₂. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.