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.     

Manganese deposits: Communication 2. Major epochs and phases of manganese accumulation in the Earth’s history

Accumulation of manganiferous rocks in the history of the Earth’s lithosphere evolution began not later than the end of the Middle Archean. Primary manganese sediments were accumulated at that time in shallow-water sedimentation basins with the active participation of organic matter. The concentration of Mn in the primary sediments usually did not reach economic values. The formation of genuine manganese ores is related to later processes of the transformation of primary ores—diagenesis, catagenesis, metamorphism, and retrograde diagenesis. Types of basins of manganese ore sedimentation and character of processes of the formation of manganese sediments during the Earth’s shell evolution changed appreciably and correlated with the general evolution of paleocontinents. Major periods, epochs, and phases of manganese ore genesis are defined. At the early stages of lithosphere formation (Archean-Proterozoic), manganese was deposited in basins commonly confined to the central part of Western Gondwana and western part of Eastern Gondwana, as well as the western part of the Ur paleocontinent. Basins of manganese ore sedimentation were characterized by the ferruginous-siliceous, carbonaceous-clayey, and carbonaceous-carbonate-clayey composition. The Early-Middle Paleozoic epoch of manganiferous sediment accumulation was characterized by the presence of several small sedimentation basins with active manifestation of volcanic and hydrothermal activity. Since the formation of Pangea in the Late Paleozoic until its breakup, accumulation of Mn was closely associated with processes of diagenesis and active participation of the oxidized organic matter.     

Correlation of the Late Cenozoic endogenic events and climatic variations in Central Asia

Trend of climatic changes in geological history of the Earth was determined by gradual decrease in the global surface temperature. Substantial deviations from this trend depended on the prevalent type of volcanism: predominantly explosive volcanism at convergent boundaries between lithospheric plates led to cooling and onset of glacial epochs, while intense intraplate volcanism strengthened greenhouse effect and resulted in global warming. During cold epochs, orogenic processes played an important role in climatic variations. The most frequent and regular climatic variations are controlled by the Earth position in solar orbit (Milankovitch cycles). The Late Cenozoic variations of cold climate were interrelated with orogenic processes caused by collision between the Indian and North Asian lithospheric plates. The first event of considerable cooling in the Northern Hemisphere (2.8–2.5 Ma ago) coincided with a rapid growth of mountains throughout the collision belt. The Tibetan Plateau formed in South Asia. In Central Asia, the large (> 1.5 × 10⁶ km²) Khangai-Altai-Sayan mountain system appeared 3 Ma ago. Total area subjected to orogenic processes in Central and South Asia exceeded 9 × 10⁶ km². The intense intraplate volcanism suggests that sublithospheric mantle was involved into orogenic processes. Alternation of glacial and interglacial climatic epochs during the last 1.8 m.y. is recorded in Central Asia. These climatic variations are compatible with the Milankovitch cycles. As is established, climatic events recognizable in the Baikal sedimentary record are correlative with interglacial and glacial epochs detectable in volcanic lavas of the East Sayan Mountains. There are indications of lava eruptions into ice during the cold periods. It is assumed therefore that all the cooling epochs detectable in the Baikal sedimentary record after 1.8 Ma were associated with development of mountain glaciation that formed glacial sheet up to 3 km thick and 100 000 km² in size. During the Brunhes Chron, there were eight glaciations at least. The endogenic (volcanism and orogeny) and exogenic (glaciation) processes during the last 3 m.y. are shown to be correlative. The intermittent development and degradation of thick ice sheets was responsible for oscillation of lithospheric load on the asthenosphere, and this caused periodical magma generation in marginal parts of volcanic provinces.     

Phosphorus Cycle in the Ocean

The behavior of phosphorus is considered at major stages of the sedimentary cycle beginning with supply sources for its delivery into the ocean to precipitation and its sedimentation, localization and subsequent diagenetic redistribution in bottom sediments. River runoff represents the main phosphorus source in the ocean. It delivers annually about 1.5 Mt of dissolved phosphorus and more than 20 Mt of suspended phosphorus into the ocean. Up to 80% of the suspended phosphorus incorporated in the lithogenic material precipitates within submarine continental margins. Phosphorus dissolved in seawater repeatedly participates in biogeochemical processes owing to its assimilation by phytoplankton that annually consumes from 1.5 to 2.5 Gt of phosphorus. Dissolved phosphorus is incorporated in organic remains and precipitates from seawater by a biogenic mechanism, too. Only a part of phosphorus settled onto the bottom is buried in sediments. Due to reducing diagenetic processes, up to 30–40% of the primarily precipitated phosphorus diffuses from the upper layer of sediments into bottom water. Diffusion flux into the ocean significantly exceeds the supply of dissolved phosphorus from river runoff. The absolute mass phosphorus dispersed in sediments is several orders of magnitude greater than the mass concentrated in phosphorite deposits. However, the majority of phosphorite formation epochs coincide with the intensification of total phosphorus accumulation in marine sediments in conditions of humid climate, intense chemical weathering of rocks on continents, and considerable expansion of the oceanic shelf area.     

Classification of uranium deposits

A listing of the recognized types of uranium mineralization shows nineteen determinable types out of which only six can be classified as of economic significance at present: Oligomictic quartz pebble conglomerates, sandstone types, calcretes, intra-intrusive types, hydrothermal veins, veinlike types. The different types can be genetically related to prevalent geological environments, i. e. 1. the primary uranium occurrences formed by endogenic processes, 2. the secondary derived from the primary by subsequent exogenic processes, 3. the tertiary occurrences are assumed to be formed by endogenic metamorphic processes, however, little is known about the behaviour of the uranium during the metamorphosis and thereby the metallogenesis of this tertiary uranium generation is still vague. A metallotectonic-geochronologic correlation of the uranium deposits shows that a distinct affinity of the uranium exists to certain geologic epochs: to the Upper Archean — Lower Proterozoic, to the Hercynian and in a less established stage: to the Upper Proterozoic.     

Basal till genesis in relation to bedrock morphology in the Berghem area, southwestern Sweden

Investigations of Late Weichselian deposits on the plateau north of Berghem, southwestern Sweden, constitute the basis for a detailed interpretation of basal tills above the marine limit. Deposition in relation to bedrock ridges perpendicular to ice flow occurred mainly on the stoss side. The content of locally derived bedrock increases with depth and the intensity of deformation within the ridge increases whengoing from the ice-proximal to the distal position. Drumlinoid features around a rock hillock suggest that the depositional behaviour on the stoss side was slightly different in the central part compared with the flanks. In the ice-proximal position the earliest deposition occurred in the centre of the drumlinoid, where the frequency of locally derived components is highest. The deformation in the central part was more intense than on the flank. The details of the till stratigraphy and structures cannot be attributed to one single process. Rather, an interaction of processes is proposed to account for this deposition. The processes involved are lodgement, basal melt-out, deformation and subglacial meltwater sedimentation.     

Stratigraphy and palaeoclimatic significance of Late Quaternary loess–palaeosol sequences of the Last Interglacial–Glacial cycle in central Alaska

Loess is one of the most widespread subaerial deposits in Alaska and adjacent Yukon Territory and may have a history that goes back 3 Ma. Based on mineralogy and major and trace element chemistry, central Alaskan loess has a composition that is distinctive from other loess bodies of the world, although it is quartz-dominated. Central Alaskan loess was probably derived from a variety of rock types, including granites, metabasalts and schists. Detailed stratigraphic data and pedologic criteria indicate that, contrary to early studies, many palaeosols are present in central Alaskan loess sections. The buried soils indicate that loess sedimentation was episodic, or at least rates of deposition decreased to the point where pedogenesis could keep ahead of aeolian input. As in China, loess deposition and pedogenesis are likely competing processes and neither stops completely during either phase of the loess/soil formation cycle. Loess deposition in central Alaska took place before, and probably during the last interglacial period, during stadials of the mid-Wisconsin period, during the last glacial period and during the Holocene. An unexpected result of our geochronological studies is that only moderate loess deposition took place during the last glacial period. Our studies lead us to conclude that vegetation plays a key role in loess accumulation in Alaska. Factors favouring loess production are enhanced during glacial periods but factors that favour loess accumulation are diminished during glacial periods. The most important of these is vegetation; boreal forest serves as an effective loess trap, but sparsely distributed herb tundra does not. Thus, thick accumulations of loess should not be expected where tundra vegetation was dominant and this is borne out by modern studies near the treeline in central Alaska. Much of the stratigraphic diversity of North American loess, including that found in the Central Lowlands, the Great Plains, and Alaska is explained by a new model that emphasizes the relative importance of loess production factors versus loess accumulation factors.     

Sedimentogenesis in the Mesozoic-Cenozoic continental rifts of Central Asia

An analysis of continental sedimentogenesis in Mesozoic rifts of the Transbaikal region and Mongolia, as well as in the Cenozoic Baikal rift zone, revealed a succession of volcanic-sedimentary formations, which constitute the sedimentary cover. The peculiar sedimentation features reflect exogenic processes that are characteristic of rift structures and the influence of deep-seated (exogenic and catagenic) sources. It is proposed to define a specific, rift, type of sedimentogenesis.     

Formation mechanism of eco-geo-environmental hazards in the agro-pastoral interlocking zone of northern China

 High sensitivity and distinct degradation characterize the eco-geo-environment in the agro-pastoral interlocking zone in northern China. Because of its specific natural conditions and human activities, this zone is easy to change and transfer between typical agricultural and pastoral environments. Several kinds of eco-geo-environmental hazards exist in the zone, such as land desertification, climatic disasters, endemic disasters, etc. The mechanisms of these eco-geo-environmental hazards include geotectonic processes in the Earth's history, and exogenic causes, such as the East Asia monsoon and irrational human activities. Both tectonic processes and exogenic causes act on the ecologically vulnerable environment, which makes the potential eco-geo-environmental vulnerabilities real hazards. Received: 9 July 1999 · Accepted: 18 April 2000     

我国海相火山铁铜矿床的成因类型及其某些成矿特征的讨论

建国以来,我国在火山矿床的地质勘探和研究工作方面都积累了丰富的资料,并且有不少关于矿床成因和类型划分方面的叙述。作者近几年来有机会接触到一些这方面的工作。这里试将海底火山活动的重要产物之一——海相火山铁铜矿床作一个比较系统的成因类型的划分。限于水平,不当之处请批评指正。     

Calcretes,fluviolacustrine sediments and subsidence patterns in Permo‐Triassic salt‐walled minibasins of the south Urals,Russia

The south Uralian foreland basin forms part of the giant, yet sparsely documented, PreCaspian salt tectonic province. The basin can potentially add much to the understanding of fluviolacustrine sedimentation within salt‐walled minibasins, where the literature has been highly reliant on only a few examples (such as the Paradox Basin of Utah). This paper describes the Late Permian terrestrial fill of the Kul’chumovo salt minibasin near Orenburg in the south Urals in which sediments were deposited in a range of channel, overbank and lacustrine environments. Palaeomagnetic stratigraphy shows that, during the Late Permian, the basin had a relatively slow and uniform subsidence pattern with widespread pedogenesis and calcrete development. Angular unconformities or halokinetic sequence boundaries cannot be recognized within the relatively fine‐grained fill, and stratigraphic and spatial variations in facies are therefore critical to understanding the subsidence history of the salt minibasin. Coarse‐grained channel belts show evidence for lateral relocation within the minibasin while the development of a thick stack of calcrete hardpans indicates that opposing parts of the minibasin became largely inactive for prolonged periods (possibly in the order of one million years). The regular vertical stacking of calcrete hardpans within floodplain mudstones provides further evidence that halokinetic minibasin growth is inherently episodic and cyclical.     

The Neopleistocene of North European Russia: Stratigraphy,paleogeography, and paleoclimate

The Pleistocene sediments of North European Russia have been studied using different methods to establish their composition and identify the enclosed organic remains. The results obtained elucidate natural climatic environments of the Pleistocene and corresponding sedimentation cycles and development stages. Glaciation centers are identified for different Pleistocene epochs based on lithological criteria. The established secular trends characterizing spatial distribution and composition of different-age glacial horizons facilitate their regional correlation. Climatic conditions and paleogeographic settings of sedimentation during interglacial epochs of the middle-late Pleistocene and Holocene are reconstructed. Variations in development of vegetation, temperature, and humidity are detected for the first time in the Timan-Pechora-Vychegda, Arkhangel’sk and Vologda regions with parallel coordination of obtained data. As is concluded, there was a tendency of climate cooling in North European Russia during the Neopleistocene.     

Soil-landscape and climatic relationships in the middle Miocene of the Madrid Basin

The Miocene alluvial-lacustrine sequences of the Madrid Basin, Spain, formed in highly varied landscapes. The presence of various types of palaeosols allows assessment of the effects of local and external factors on sedimentation, pedogenesis and geomorphological development. In the northern, more arid, tectonically active area, soils were weakly developed in aggrading alluvial fans, dominated by mass flows, reflecting high sedimentation rates. In more distal parts of the fans and in playa lakes calcretes and dolocretes developed; the former were associated with Mg-poor fan sediments while the latter formed on Mg-rich lake clays exposed during minor lake lowstands. The north-east part of the basin had a less arid climate. Alluvial fans in this area were dominated by stream flood deposits, sourced by carbonate terrains. Floodplain and freshwater lake deposits formed in distal areas. The high local supply of calcium carbonate may have contributed to the preferential development of calcretes on the fans. Both the fan and floodplain palaeosols exhibit pedofacies relationships and more mature soils developed in settings more distant from the sediment sources. Palaeosols also developed on pond and lake margin carbonates, and led to the formation of palustrine limestones. The spatial distributions and stratigraphies of palaeosols in the Madrid Basin alluvial fans suggest that soil formation was controlled by local factors. These palaeosols differ from those seen in Quaternary fans, which are characterized by climatically induced periods of stability and instability.     

The Upper-Miocene and Eopleistocene coarse deposits of the western and central Fore-Caucasus

In this work, the Upper Eopleistocene coarse deposits of the Fore-Caucasus (containing 30–50% or more of gravel-pebble-boulder material), are discussed. These compose the Belorechenskaya and Novokubansk suites, Neberdzhai and Andree-Dmitrievskaya formations in the western Fore-Caucasus; the Lysogorskaya, Elkhotovskayaovskaya, Rukhs-Dzuar suites, the Kendzhinskaya and Seivenduk formations and their analogs in the eastern areas of the central Fore-Caucasus. The genesis of continental coarse deposits is regarded as mainly alluvial. These deposits are part of the Fore-Caucasus piedmont molasses, formed during two stages. At the first stage (late Miocene) coarse deposits of the Lysogorskaya suite formed in the eastern areas of the central Fore-Caucasus (modern Kabardin, Ossetian and Chechen depressions). At the second stage (late Pliocene-Eopleistocene) these formations deposited throughout the territory of the Fore-Caucasus, but the intensity of processes varied considerably in different areas. In the central Fore-Caucasus, compared with the western part, coeval deposits are coarser in texture; their thickness is several times greater. Study of the Late Miocene coarse molasses of late Eopleistocene of the Fore-Caucasus allows us to clarify the history of the formation of the Great Caucasus in the most intense periods of its development.     

Influence of supercontinent cyclicity on global metallogenic processes: Main tendencies

The distribution of large and superlarge mineral deposits (LSMD) of the most important raw materials is correlated with supercontinent cycles in the geological history of the Earth. The latter displays the distinct correlation between metallogenic activity and cyclic global endogenous processes reflected in quasi-regular cycles, which result eventually in the assembly and breakup of supercontinents. In the framework of these cycles, the maximums in the LSMD assembly coincide with periods of intense growth of the subcontinent crust owing to growth of the matter originated from juvenile sources (Kenoran, Columbian cycles) or with epochs of intense recycling of the mature crust (Pangean, Amasian cycles). The Rodinian cycle with minimum activity of these both endogenous processes demonstrates simultaneously minimum metallogenic activity. The distribution of most LSMD types generally follows these main tendencies.     

Buried palaeosols of the Nevado de Toluca: an alternative record of Late Quaternary environmental change in central Mexico

Buried palaeosols of central Mexico, not previously analysed from a palaeopedological standpoint, have helped to develop a reliable regional model of Late Quaternary climatic change. This paper focuses upon morphological and micromorphological properties, particle‐size distribution, and extractable Fe, Al and Si of seven palaeosols (named PT1–PT7) in the vicinity of the Nevado de Toluca volcano. The characteristics of Andic Cambisol PT1, similar to those of modern soils in semi‐arid environments, indicate a drier climate in the first half of the Holocene. Humic Andosols PT2–PT4 are analogous to modern volcanic soils of humid forest environments. They show evidence that a moist palaeoclimate prevailed during marine oxygen isotope stages (OIS) 2 and 3. Luvisols PT5 and PT6, which are assumed to have formed at the end of marine OIS 5 to marine OIS 4, also indicate humid conditions. We attribute the differences between Andosols PT2–PT4 and Luvisols PT5–PT7 to variations in the duration in the pedogenesis rather than to changes in palaeoclimate. Micromorphological features of Andosol to Luvisol transition confirm that these soils form an evolutionary sequence. Being for the most part consistent with lacustrine records, the palaeosol properties do not reflect the episodes of ‘drier climate’ during the Last Glacial Maximum, however, as shown by diatom and palynological data from lake sediments. Mesoclimate variations and/or incompleteness of ‘soil memory’, reflecting mostly periods of humid pedogenesis, probably provide the reason for this disagreement. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Basin structures and sediment accumulation in the Baikal Rift Zone: Implications for Cenozoic intracontinental processes in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt

In this paper we present a review of sedimentological, geomorphological, lithological, geochronological and geophysical data from major, minor and satellite basins of the Baikal Rift Zone (BRZ) and discuss various aspects of its evolution. Previously, the most detailed sedimentological data have been obtained from the basins of the central BRZ, e.g., Baikal, Tunka and Barguzin, and have been used by many scientists worldwide. We add new information about the peripheral part and make an attempt to provide a more comprehensive view on BRZ sedimentation stages and environments and their relations to local and regional tectonic events. A huge body of sedimentological data was obtained many years ago by Soviet geologists and therefore is hardly accessible for an international reader. We pay tribute to their efforts to the extent as the format of a journal paper permits. We discuss structural and facial features of BRZ sedimentary sequences for the better understanding of their sedimentation environments. In addition, we review tectono-sedimentation stages, neotectonic features and volcanism of the region. Finally, we consider the key questions of the BRZ evolution from the sedimentological point of view, in particular, correlation of Mesozoic and Cenozoic basins, bilateral growth of the Baikal rift, Miocene sedimentation environment and events at the Miocene/Pliocene boundary, Pliocene and Pleistocene tectonic deformations and sedimentation rates. The data from deep boreholes and surface occurrences of pre-Quaternary sediments, the distribution of the Pleistocene sediments, and the data from the Baikal and Hovsgol lakes sediments showed that 1) BRZ basins do not fit the Mesozoic extensional structures and therefore hardly inherited them; 2) the Miocene stage of sedimentation was characterized by low topography and weak tectonic processes; 3) the rifting mode shifted from slow to fast at ca. 7–5 Ma; 4) the late Pleistocene high sedimentation rates reflect the fast subsidence of basin bottoms.     

Coastal Occupations in Tierra del Fuego,Southernmost South America: A Late Holocene Hunter‐Gatherer Context at Marazzi 2

This paper focuses on the late Holocene occupation of hunter‐gatherers at the Marazzi 2 site located on the northwestern steppe of Tierra del Fuego, Chile. Our aim is to understand stratigraphy, formation processes, and pedogenesis with respect to human occupation over the last 3000 years. Based on archaeological excavations on a fluvial terrace of the Torcido River, we integrate soil micromorphology, mineralogy, geochemistry, magnetic susceptibility, and geomorphology, as well as the micro‐ and macrofrequency distributions of archaeological material. A micro‐taphonomical perspective is also applied to anthropogenic components recorded in sedimentary thin sections. We discuss various events in the interplay between soil development and human occupation through time. Marazzi 2 was witness to aggradation and pedogenesis with an episode of surface stability coincident with a phase of more intense human occupation at about 860 BC. Taphonomic analysis suggests that there are multiple occupation events mixed together, probably by biomechanical processes, resulting in a palimpsest with poor temporal resolution.     

Late-Pleistocene (MIS 3-2) palaeoenvironments as recorded by sediments,palaeosols, and ground-squirrel nests at Duvanny Yar,Kolyma lowland,northeast Siberia

A detailed study of the Duvanny Yar section in the Kolyma Lowland (Yakutia) provides the most extensive knowledge to date about late-Pleistocene soil formation processes and environments in the North–East Siberian Arctic. Late-Quaternary palaeoenvironmental changes were reconstructed using paleopedological data and a range of palaeoecological bio-indicators (palynomorphs, plant macrofossils and insects). The frozen sediments representing marine isotope stage 3 (MIS-3), which encompasses the Karginsky interstadial, include profiles of four palaeosols of different ages. The oldest palaeosol is early Karginskian, and three overlying soil horizons represent a late-Karginskian pedocomplex. Palaeopedological data indicate a change of from synlithogenic soil formation processes to epigenic ones during these intervals. The intervening periods of synlithogenic pedogenesis were accompanied by active accumulation of eolian deposits. The Earlier Karginskian period of pedogenesis occurred in the absence of eolian sedimentation and when summer conditions were warm. The wide spectrum of peaty and peaty-gley soils observed in the late-Karginskian deposits developed under conditions of progressive cooling. The structure and content of fossil rodent burrows dated to approximately 30 000 yr BP from frozen late-Pleistocene deposits at Duvanny Yar indicate an arid and severe climate, a depth of active layer of 60–80 cm, and a wide distribution of disturbed habitats with pioneer and steppe vegetation.     

西秦岭北部蛇绿混杂岩带成矿作用与区域构造演化的关系

文章依据西秦岭北部区域构造演化过程、蛇绿混杂岩带成矿作用及其主要矿床类型特征，认为西秦岭北部矿床的形成表现出多种成矿作用的复合、叠加和改造特征，不同类型矿床的形成均受到地质作用类型、物质来源和构造环境的严格控制。客观地总结了西秦岭北部蛇绿混杂岩带的成矿规律：不同矿种、不同类型和不同时期的矿床集中分布，空间相伴，大致可分为关子铁、硫矿集区，李子园金铜、银铅矿集区和太阳寺金、金银铅矿集区。早古生代在商丹洋壳俯冲作用下，主要形成海相火山-沉积铁、硫矿床；加里东期俯冲-碰撞造山作用下，主要形成热液充填-交代型银铅矿床、变质岩改造型矿床；印支期在构造-岩浆作用下，主要形成石英脉型金（铜）矿床、斑岩型钼（铜、铋）矿床、构造蚀变岩型金矿床。海相火山-沉积作用、区域变质作用、岩浆及其岩浆热液作用对成矿有较大影响，主要成矿作用与区域构造演化过程中的主要地质事件在时间和空间上相对应。