Paleoclimatic significance of mineral magnetic properties of loess sediments in northeastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

Loess deposit in the northeastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau offers an excellent record of climate and environment changes in this region.We have conducted multiparameter mineral magnetic analyses of smaples of loess deposits from the Dongchuan,Lalakou and Panzishan sections.The methods used include magnetic susceptibility,fre-quency-dependent suceptibility,temperature-dependent susceptibility,isothermal remanent magnetization acquisibility.Maghemite and hematite is also present in the loess layers and paleosol horizons.The higher concentration of maghemite in paleosols suggests that the formation of maghemite occurred during in situ pedogenesis,which plays an important role in the enhancement of the magnetic susceptibitily.Similar to that in the Chinese Loess Plateau lying to the east of the Liupan Mountains,magnetic granulometry in the studied loess and paleosols is predominantly pseudo-single-domain(PSD). However,the mean grain-size of the ferrimagnetic minerals in loess is evidently coarser (larger PSD and multiomain-like) than in paleosols (mainly PSD).The magnetic susceptibility of loess and paleosols is positively correlated with the content of ultrafine magnet-ite/maghemite grains,and hence with the intensity of in situ pedogenesis.Therefore,the enhanced magnetic susceptibility in the studied loess-paleosol sequences can be interpreted as being due to climatically induced in situ pedogenesis.     

Environmental magnetism and paleoclimatic interpretation of the Sanmenxia loess-paleosol sequence in the southeastern extremity of the Chinese Loess Plateau

This is a report of multi-parameter mineral magnetic results of the Sanmenxia loess-pa-leosol couplets in the SE extremity of the Chinese Loess Plateau (CLP) over the interval of L1- L13 spanning the last 1 Ma. These results show that mass-specific magnetic susceptibility (X), XARM and SIRM and their ratios exhibit parallel stratigraphic variations. Since superparamagnetic (SP) particles have significant contribution to X but no contribution to remanence, e.g., ARM and SIRM, the strong linear correlations between X and remanence (e.g., ARM and SIRM) suggest that the pedogenesis-produced magnetic grains are predominantly in small single domain range. Consequently, the significant contribution of SP particles to the bulk X as supposed in previous studies has been obviously overestimated. XARM/X data in Sanmenxia and median grain size records of typical loess sections from the hinterland of the CLP display a strong resemblance, implying that XARM/X may be regarded as a reliable indicator for monitoring the variations of ferrimagnetic grain sizes. The results of S-ratio and HIRM ((SIRM IRM-0.3T)/2) measurements indicate that there is significant enhancement of both soft magnetite/maghemite and hard hematite/goethite in paleosols associated with pedogenesis.     

Mineral magnetism of quaternary red earth in Eastern China and Its paleoenvironmental significance

Mineral magnetic measurements have been made on Quaternary Red Earth profiles from Zhejiang Province, Eastern China. Three distinctive magnetic stratigraphic horizons have been identified on the basis of magnetic susceptibility, anhysteretic remanent magnetization, saturation isothermal remanent magnetization and magnetization parameters measurements. Magnetic measurements revealed that there were great variations in ferrimagnetic mineral concentration, mineralogy assemblages and grain size in Quaternary Red Earth profiles, suggesting that these variations reflect pedogenic processes fluctuation and environmental changes. The preliminary results indicate that mineral magnetic measurement of Quaternary Red Earth is useful for studying the Quaternary environmental changes recorded in paleosols.     

Rock-magnetic investigation of Siberia loess and its implication

Multiple-rock magnetic investigations conducted on the loess-paleosol sequences at Kurtak in Southwestern Siberia reveal that the mass-normalized low-field magnetic susceptibility profiles reflect changes in lithology between relatively unweathered primary loess of glacial periods and the interglacial paleosols. Maxima in susceptibility values correspond with the least-weathered loess horizons, and minima with the humic horizons of soils. Frequency-dependent susceptibility of the loess-paleosol sequences at Kurtak is very low and practically uniform, indicating the dominance of non-SP ferrimagnetic minerals and negligible pedogenesis. The history of temperature-dependence of susceptibility (TDS) and stepwise acquisition of the isothermal remanent magnetization (SIRM) have confirmed that magnetite is predominant magnetic mineral, and only few maghemite and probably hematite are present within the studied section. Anisotropy of the magnetic susceptibility (AMS) can be used to monitor tilt and disturbance of the sedimentary layers, and also to provide information about the paleo-transport direction for Siberia loess.     

Magnetic properties of surface soils across the southern Tarim Basin and their relationship with climate and source materials

The magnetic susceptibility (χ) of surface soils on the Chinese Loess Plateau (CLP) has strong positive correlation with mean annual precipitation.It is widely accepted that ultrafine magnetite/maghemite grains produced during pedogenesis are responsible for the enhancement of χ,and loess χ on the CLP has been widely used as a proxy for the intensity of the East Asian summer monsoon.However,few works have investigated mechanisms for the enhancement of χ in the case of surface aeolian sediments in westerly-dominated inland China,north of the Tibetan Plateau.Here detailed rock magnetism and grain size studies of 49 surface samples taken across the southern Tarim Basin for different rainfall/temperature/altitude conditions are presented.The results show that samples taken from desert have the lowest χ values and that χ of loessic sand and loess samples decreases with increasing altitude.In addition,the rock magnetism studies suggest that the magnetic properties of surface soils across the southern Tarim Basin are mainly controlled by the concentration of coarse aeolian ferrimagnetic minerals.The contribution of ultrafine pedogenically produced magnetic grains to χ is very limited.     

Magnetic Properties of Soils of the Ljubljana Basin Chronosequence, Slovenia

Pedogenic processes can explain the trends in magnetic susceptibility and soil magnetic mineralogy of the Ljubljana Basin chronosequence. The chronosequence formed in predominantly carbonate sandy gravel outwash terraces ranging from 5 to 1800 ka. Magnetic susceptibility enhancement can be attributed to the formation of secondary superparamagnetic (SP) and single domain (SD) ferrimagnetic minerals in eluvial horizons. Magnetic minerals that form in illuvial horizons are predominantly antiferromagnetic. Downward migration of pedogenic iron compounds with clay (formation of ferri-argillans) causes thickening of the enhanced zone with soil age. In contrast to other published soil chronosequence studies, magnetic susceptibility values do not increase with soil-age (duration of pedogenesis). Nevertheless, frequency dependence of magnetic susceptibility (FD%) and indices such as maximum eluvial magnetic susceptibility (MS) divided by minimum illuvial MS (Max. E / Min. IX_(lf) and maximum eluvial MS minus minimum illuvial MS (Max. E -Min. IX_(lf)) increase with the logarithm of soil age suggesting that the magnetic mineral transformations continue with time, but that their rate decreases. These indices are useful for comparisons, and may be useful for age correlations. Hypothesis that magnetic susceptibility enhancement and precipitation have a positive correlation seems to be valid until the precipitation exceeds the critical value of 100-150 cm/year. The critical value in different settings may depend on the temperature regime and on the yearly distribution of precipitation.     

巢湖CH-1孔沉积物磁性、粒度特征分析

通过对巢湖湖心长1.5m的CH-1孔沉积物磁性参数和粒度组成进行测量,探讨了巢湖的沉积环境变迁.结果表明：CH-1孔沉积物以中粉砂和细粉砂为主,其次为黏土.该孔中黏土粒级对磁性矿物贡献最大.自底部向上,该孔分为4段：第1段,沉积物向上粒度变细,亚铁磁性矿物含量减少,亚铁磁性矿物颗粒变细;第2段,沉积物向上粒度变粗,亚铁磁性矿物含量减少,磁性矿物颗粒变细;第3段,沉积物向上粒度变细,亚铁磁性矿物含量增多,磁性矿物颗粒变粗;第4段,沉积物向上粒度变粗,亚铁磁性矿物含量增多,磁性矿物颗粒变粗.上述结果显示：巢湖湖面在整个沉积历史时期呈现上升和下降的交替变化,反映了气候变化对巢湖沉积的影响.     

S2以来下蜀黄土沉积序列磁化率记录与深海氧同位素记录的对比

对镇江下蜀黄土剖面进行了系统的磁化率测试,并同深海氧同位素记录进行了对比。结果表明,S2以来下蜀黄土磁化率记录与深海氧同位素记录存在良好的对应关系。首次在下蜀黄土记录中发现了相当于深海氧同位素5a,5b,5c,5d和5e亚阶段的波动特征;下蜀黄土S2磁化率记录则可与深海氧同位素7阶段进行细节上的详细对比。对比揭示,最近20多万年以来,下蜀黄土堆积区对全球古气候变化有着积极的响应;同时,下蜀黄土记录的古气候变化在某些阶段又具有明显的区域特征,可能反映的是全球气候变化效应与东亚古季风气候影响的叠加作用。镇江下蜀黄土剖面能获得精度较高的全球变化信息与其特定的地理位置、纬度位置和地貌条件有关。     

Contrasting magnetic properties from two loess/paleosol sections in Gansu Province, west China

We made comparison of magnetic property between two loess/paleosol sediments from the Beiyuan section, Linxia and the Shajinping section, Lanzhou. The two sections apart only 100 km in NE-SW direction. At the Beiyuan section, enhancement of the low-field magnetic susceptibility, ARM susceptibility and SIRM are observed in paleosols. The positive correlations among these three parameters suggest the presence of two magnetic components, i.e. the background component and the enhanced component. The unblocking curves of low-temperature IRM give strong evidence for the idea of the two components. On the contrary, the magnetic parameters are almost constant throughout the Shajinping section. The enhanced component is not found in the Shajinping section. The magnetic properties of the background component are indistinguishable between the two sections. Contrasting magnetic properties imply the difference of soil formation process between the two sections.     

咸阳市区晚更新世黄土微结构特征及其环境意义

目的揭示咸阳市区晚更新世黄土的微结构特征,探讨黄土微结构特征与其形成环境的关系,为区域环境提供科学依据。方法应用粒度分析和扫描电子显微镜对咸阳市区晚更新世黄土．古土壤系列的微结构进行分析研究。结果粒度小于0．005 mm的黏粒级含量在黄土与古土壤中差异最大,S1古土壤高达39．7％,而L1黄土仅24％;S1古土壤黏粒中大量铁质黏粒胶膜呈流胶状出现并有次生伊利石的产出,结构密实;L1黄土微骨架颗粒相互支架,黏粒胶结物含量较少,胶结程度差,土质疏松。结论咸阳市区晚更新世S1古土壤形成在湿热的森林环境,L1黄土形成于干冷的草原环境,S0黑垆土形成于凉湿气候环境。     

Magnetic susceptibility properties of polluted soils

An investigation of magnetic properties using magnetic susceptibility (χ) and frequency-dependent susceptibility (χfd) was conducted on representative modern pollutants, which include smelted slag dust, automobile exhaust dust and coal ash. Their magnetic susceptibility values are more than 500ξ10⁸ m³/kg, and frequency-dependent susceptibility values less than 3%, indicating that ample ferrimagnetic and scanty superparamagnetic grains occurred in the studied pollutants. Similar to the artificially synthetic polluted soils, the industrially-polluted soils display a negative relationship between magnetic susceptibility and frequency-dependent susceptibility. However, the unpolluted soils, e.g. the Quaternary loess in the Chinese Loess Plateau, show a positive relationship between them. In this note, we propose a convenient and effective approach for identifying the polluted soils.     

History of the temperature-dependence of susceptibility and its implications: Preliminary results along an E-W transect of the Chinese Loess Plateau

An investigation of rock magnetic properties using the temperature-dependence of susceptibility (TDS) and the coercivity of different IRM components was conducted on samples of the Malan loess (L1) and the last interglacial soil (S1) along an E-W transect of the Chinese Loess Plateau. We find that the behavior of the TDS is useful in identifying maghemite (γ-Fe_2O_3) in both loess and paleosol, and that it can be used as a new proxy of the degree of pedogenesis, which is closely linked to climatic conditions. Based on results from the TDS, we conclude that (1) the detrital magnetite grains predominate in the L1 unit to the west of Liupan Mts, where the weathering and pedogenetic processes were weakest; (2) a comparable degree of pedogenesis exists in the L1 at the east of the Liupan Mts and the S1 at the west of the Liupan Mts; (3) a higher concentration of maghemite is found in the S1 unit at the eastern sections, suggesting that the local climate was warmer and more humid in this interval. In addition, we propose that TDS measurements can be used as a rapid means of determining the reliability of the paleomagnetic secular variation (PSV) record in loess/poleoso/sequenees.     

洛阳二里头遗址南沉积剖面的粒度和磁化率分析

洛阳盆地内二里头遗址南沉积剖面位于遗址所在二级阶地的前缘,属于河流堆积。对剖面的沉积物样品做了光释光测年及磁化率、粒度分析。结果表明:剖面沉积年代大致在2000~5000 aBP之间。剖面下部(113~123 cm)沉积物粒度较细,磁化率偏高,粒度曲线反映水流较弱的泛滥平原沉积环境,属河漫滩堆积;中部(90~113 cm)粒度较粗,磁化率较低,粒度曲线反映水动力较强的边滩–漫滩沉积环境,属河床边滩堆积;上部(0~90 cm)粒度变细,磁化率升高,粒度曲线反映水动力条件较弱的泛滥平原沉积环境,属河漫滩堆积。其中沿水平方向可见剖面中部的河床边滩堆积直接覆盖在二级阶地顶面的龙山时期灰坑之上,由此可以确认剖面中部地层记录了一场漫上了河流阶地的特大洪水事件,这一记录与孢粉分析得到的气候变化过程具有明显的相关性。4000 aBP前后异常洪水的出现和大洪水前后河流过程的变化,可能是对4200 aBP全球性气候异常事件的区域响应,对我国最早的都邑——二里头城址的选址有重要的影响。     

下蜀土剖面磁化率反映古气候变化机制的探讨

通过对典型下蜀土样品的低温磁化率测量，探讨下蜀土剖面磁化率反映古气候变化的机制。结果表明，下蜀土构成剖面中古土壤、黄土层的磁性晶粒的大小不同，古土壤中大量的细小超顺磁颗粒的存在是其磁化率增高的主要原因，这种细小磁性颗粒在古土壤中的积聚可能与其发育及古气候的暖湿程度有关。     

Spatiotemporal variations of Zr/Rb ratio in three last interglacial paleosol profiles across the Chinese Loess Plateau and its implications for climatic interpretation

The ratio of Zirconium to Rubidium （Zr/Rb） is suggested to be a better proxy for the East Asian winter monsoon strength than the widely-used grain size distribution. The rationale for the Zr/Rb proxy relies on the following assumptions： （1） Grain size fractionating characteristics during eolian dust transport should be archived in the Zr/Rb ratio records and this assumption is based on the premise that Zr is preferentially enriched in coarser grain size fraction while Rb tend to be enriched in finer grain size fraction; and （2） post-depositional weathering does not change the Zr/Rb ratio due to the immobility of these two elements. To examine these two assumptions, three last interglacial paleosols （S1） from Dingxi, Tianshui and Lantian, along a NW-SE transect across the Chinese Loess Plateau, were geo- chemically investigated. Our results show that the Rb concentration exhibits an increasing trend along the NW-SE transect both in the paleosol （S1） and the measured portions of the loess units （L1 and L2）, being supportive to the assumption that Rb is enriched in the fine particles. But we also found that Rb loss did occur to some extent in the three profiles, contradicting to the presumption of Rb immobility during pedogenic processes. The Zr concentration exhibits an expected decreasing trend in the measured portions of the loess units and an unexpected increasing trend in the paleosol along the NW-SE transect. Moreover, the ratios of Zirconium to Hafnium （Zr/Hf） show different variation patterns between interglacial and glacial, implying that Zr-bearing minerals and their resident grain size fractions are probably not identical during interglacial and glacial. Thus, the assumption that Zr is enriched in coarse grain size fraction can no longer hold. We conclude that the final Zr/Rb value is not only dependent on grain size sorting processes but also on post-depositional alteration and source prove- nance. Under enhanced chemical weathering, especially when chemical index of alterat     

Mid-Late Quaternary loess-paleosol sequence in Lantian’s Yushan,China: An environmental magnetism approach and its paleoclimatic significance

The application of rock magnetism methods to investigating the variations of magnetic minerals in the sediments is an important approach to the reestablishment of paleoclimate evolution. Thus we performed fine magnetic measurements on the loess-paleosol sequence (from L15 upwards to S5, in which L is short for Loess, S is short for Paleosol, the same hereinafter) of Yushan stratigraphic section, which is on the southeastern margin of Chinese Loess Plateau, in Lantian County of China’s Shaanxi Province, and the thickness of which is ca. 40 m. Our study shows that the primary magnetic carriers of loess and paleosol in this section are magnetite, maghemite, hematite and goethite. Thermomagnetic analyses on the samples of representative horizons show that the higher pedogenesis degree of the sediments, the smaller variations of magnetization there will be before and after heating, probably related to the pedogenic alteration of loess sediments. Analyses of several magnetic parameters show a significant discrepancy between the paleoclimatic conditions recorded in the strata from the loess unit L15 upward to the paleosol unit S5 in the study area and those recorded in the relative strata of other sections on the Chinese Loess Plateau, and those recorded in marine sediments, indicating the great impact of regional geological background. Similarly, the rapid and intensive change recorded in the segment from L15 to S9-1, and the significant difference between the paleoclimate evolutions of the two periods before and after the change (from L15 to S9-1, and from L9 to the base of S6) indicate the strong alteration of magnetic carriers in the study area as a result of the alternations of summer and winter monsoons in East Asia.     

Magnetic granulometry of recent sediments from the Huguang Maar and its implication for provenience

To understand the origin and its climatic implications of the Huguang Maar sediments, we conducted laser grain size analysis and rock mangtic measurement for the recent deposits from the Huguang Maar and for the volcanic rocks of the caldera for comparison. The grain size distributions are dominated by clayey silts for both the bulk sediments and magnetic separates. Acquisition of isothermal remanent magnetization (IRM) and thermal demagnetization of IRM suggest (titano) magnetite as the dominating magnetic mineral in the sediments; high coercivity minerals are not detected. Therefore, the ratio of the susceptibility of anhysteretic remanent magnetization (k _ARM) to the weak field magnetic susceptibility (k), k _ARM/k can be used to estimate the grain size of magnetite. The sediments and volcanic rocks yield values of 13.7 and 11.8 for the k _ARM/_k, respectively, corresponding to grain size values of ～0.03 µm and ～0.05 µm. The magnetic granulometry of lake sediments is distinctive from one of the Chinese loess, in which published data suggest a value of 6.0 for k _ARM/_k, and grain size of ～0.1 µm, but is akin to the nearby volcanic rocks. Although a Loess Plateau source of the lake sediments cannot be fully ruled out, the catchment is most probably the main source. We explain the slightly finer magnetite grain size in sediments than in the volcanic rocks as being disintegrated of particles during erosion and transportation. We conclude that there is no evidence for aeolian input of the Loess Plateau dusts into the Huguang Maar, and the relationship between magnetic parameters of the lake sediments and winter monsoon intensity is probably more complicated than previously thought.     

成都平原4 ka以来地层磁化率特征及气候变化意义

对成都金沙遗址IT6814探坑约4 m厚地层的5 cm间距磁化率分析,建立了成都平原4 ka以来的质量磁化率曲线和频率磁化率曲线.根据质量磁化率和频率磁化率特征结合粒度中值曲线对比,探讨了金沙遗址4 000 a来的气候环境变化,划分出成都平原的三个气候阶段:4 000～3 380 aBP,气候偏湿;3 380～1 700 aBP,气候条件相对湿热;1 700 aBP～20世纪90年代初,气候逐渐偏干冷.     

Use of environmental magnetic measurements to characterize and correlate tephra-A case study in Iceland

A set of environmental magnetic parameters(i.e. magnetic susceptibility, xARM, IRMs, hysteresis loops and thermomagnetic curves) has been applied to two soil sections from SE Iceland. Results demonstrate that the main magnetic minerals in the tephras are ferrimagnetic minerals (e.g.magnetite) and canted antiferromagnetic minerals (e.g.haematite), with abundant paramagnetic material also present. Cross plots of Mrs/Ms vs. (B0)cr/(B0)c and xfd% vs.xARM/SIRM indicate that the main magnetic grain sizes in tephras are pseudo single domain (PSD) and multidomain(MD). Initial correlation of tephra layers was achieved, usingall the measured magnetic parameters, by use of the multi-variate statistical measures of Similarity Coefficient (SC) andEuclidean Distance (ED). This demonstrates that magnetictechniques can potentially assist in the identification andcorrelation of distal tephra.     

Partial anhysteretic remanent magnetization （pARM） synthetic single- and multi-domain magnetites and its paleoenvironmental significance

In order to isolate magnetic signals carried by single-domain （SD） ferrimagnetic （FM） minerals from multi-domain （MD） FM minerals, we developed a few parameters using partial anhysteretic remanent magnetization （pARM）. Because MD fraction contains only soft （easy to be demagnetized） coercivity spectrum, pARM（〉20 mT） was sensitive in eliminating MD contributions. Ratio of pARM（5 mT, 10 mT）/pARM（0, 5 mT） is useful in quantifying a relative abundance of mass ratio between SD and MD fractions. These new proxies can quickly characterize the details of grain size distribution of magnetic minerals in paleoclimatic and paleomagnetic studies.