Terrace dating as an archive of the run-through of the Sanmen Gorges

Analysis of morphological properties in the Sanmen Gorges region of the Yellow River shows that four river terraces have been developed at the entrance to the gorges. Commonly, thick aeolian loess-paleosol sequence was deposited on the terraces, which makes it easy to date the terraces. The dating of paleomagnetic, loess-paleosol sequence matching and thermoluminescence show that terraces T₂, T₃ and T₄ were formed 0.129 Ma, 0.625 Ma and 0.865 Ma ago, respectively. The formation of these terraces in this region indicates that the Yellow River has experienced four intensive downcutting events during the last 0.9 Ma. The Yellow River cut through the Sanmen Gorges and inpoured into the East China Sea no later than 0.865 Ma.     

Discovery of a 1.0 Ma Yellow River terrace and redating of the fourth Yellow River terrace in Lanzhou area

Based on the aeolian loess sequence-stratigraphic division and paleomagnetic datings on terraces, we found that an undiscovered terrace with the age of 1.0 Ma BP lies between the Dunwashan terrace and Wuyishan terrace. This terrace recorded an intensive Yellow River incision event during that period. Results of paleomagnetic dating and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating of the Wuyishan loess section and Zaoshugou loess section on the fourth Yellow River terrace (T4) show that the age of the fourth Yellow River terrace in Lanzhou area is 0.86 Ma BP rather than the previously believed 0.6 Ma BP. This result answers a long-term question in the geomorphology community of whether there exists a 0.8 Ma terrace in Lanzhou area. The discovery of the 1.0 Ma Yellow River terrace and redating of the age of 0.6 Ma terrace in Lanzhou area provide new insights into further research on the evolution of Yellow River.     

Discovery of a 1.0 Ma Yellow River terrace and redating of the fourth Yellow River terrace in Lanzhou area

Based on the aeolian loess sequence-stratigraphic division and paleomagnetic datings on terraces, we found that an undiscovered terrace with the age of 1.0 Ma BP lies between the Dunwashan terrace and Wuyishan terrace. This terrace recorded an intensive Yellow River incision event during that period. Results of paleomagnetic dating and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating of the Wuyishan loess section and Zaoshugou loess section on the fourth Yellow River terrace (T4) show that the age of the fourth Yellow River terrace in Lanzhou area is 0.86 Ma BP rather than the previously believed 0. 6 Ma BP. This result answers a long-term question in the ge-omorphology community of whether there exists a 0. 8 Ma terrace in Lanzhou area. The discovery of the 1. 0 Ma Yellow River terrace and redating of the age of 0.6 Ma terrace in Lanzhou area provide new insights into further research on the evolution of Yellow River.     

Formation of the Yazi Spring Stream and its significance on tectonics-climate on the northern slope of Kunlun Mountains

The sequences of fluvial terraces in the Yazi Spring Stream are signs of the stepwise uplift of the Kunlun Mountains in the northern part of the Tibetan Plateau since the Late Pleistocene. Geomorphic and sedimentary features of the terraces reveal that they have resulted from the phased tectonic uplift and the consequent river incision in the northern plateau. Using the method of Single-aliquot Regenerative-dose （SAR） Protocol and Radiocarbon ^14C dating, the deposit ages of three-grade terraces were obtained, which are 57.5, 12.8 and 5.7 kaBP, respectively. The features and ages of terraces reveal that the incision rate of the stream accelerated at the beginning of the Holocene. The incision rate changed suddenly at 12.8 KaBP, from 0.43±0.07 mm/a to 1.59±0.55 mm/a. This implicates that uplift of the Kunlun Mountains is intensive at the first onset of the Holocene, corresponding to the obvious change of slip-rate on the AItyn Tagh Fault. But its uplift rate is much lower than that of the latter, which suggests that growth of the northern margin of the Tibetan Plateau is stronger than its interior.     

Paragenesia of Quaternary pediments and river terraces on the north piedmont of Wutai Mountains

A study has been made of the paragenetic relations of the pediments and river terraces on the northern piedmont of Wutai Mountains via geomorphologic mapping of 1:10000 scale, and an analysis on the role of tectonic, climatic, and drainage factors in the parageneses. The Quaternary pediments and river terraces on the north piedmont of Wutai Mountains united to constitute six steps of geomorphic surfaces. The episodic uplifting of fault blocks was the dominant factor in the formation of the unified surfaces, however climatic change and drainage diversities led to undulation of the surfaces. The second terrace of Yangyan River (T2) was formed in the last glacial maximum, when the river was in aggradational state. The third to fifth terraces were formed in interglacial stages, when the river was in equilibrium or degradational state. It is inferred that climate had no insignificant effect on the river incision caused by tectonic uplifting. In light of terraces dating, since the Quaternary the Wutai fault-block mountains experienced six rapid uplifting events, and the starting time of the last four events was respectively 1.2, 0.6, 0.13, and 0.02 Ma B.P.     

Dating and genesis of the upper Weihe River terraces in Longxi basin,China

Seven terraces along the Weihe River in Longxi basin have been investigated. These terraces all consist of archetypal duality in structure, namely the floodplain deposits and the layer of gravels overlaid by varying thickness of the loess. By resorting to various dating approaches such as palaeomagnetic, optically stimulated luminescenece (OSL), 14C and loess-paleosol sequence, we provide preliminary timing of these seven terraces along upper Weihe River. Analysis on sedimentation characteristics and dating of these terraces showed that seven terraces may be jointly generated by tectonic uplifts and climatic changes. Tectonic uplifts may accommodate initial river incision, and climatic change may be responsible for processes of subsequent channel widening and aggradation. Aggradation normally occurs during glacial periods, in contrast to down-cuttings during transitions from glacial to interglacial period. Moreover, on the basis of the timings and heights of these terraces, we infer that the long-term rate of river incision was determined to be 0.2 m/kyr during the last 870 kyr, which differs from other river incision rates. This discrepancy may reflect spatio-temporal differentiation of tectonic activities in the Qinling orogenic belt during the Pleistocene.     

Relationship between the temporal-spatial distribution of archaeological sites and natural environment from the Paleolithic Age to the Tang and Song Dynasties in the Three Gorges Reservoir of Chongqing area

The temporal-spatial distribution features including time distribution,horizontal and vertical spatial distribution of archaeological sites from the Paleolithic Age to the Tang and Song Dynasties in the Three Gorges Reservoir of Chongqing area are analyzed based on GIS spatial analysis.The successive pollen record of deposited peat stratum since the Paleolithic Age in the Dajiuhu Basin of Shennongjia is used in combination with the research of the historical environmental evolution to reconstruct the Paleoenvironment in the Three Gorges Reservoir of Chongqing area.Through the comparison of the temporal-spatial distribution of the archaeological sites and the natural environment,the relation between the distribution of the archaeological sites and the natural environment evolution and disaster changes from the Neolithic Age to the Tang and Song Dynasties has been discussed.Study shows that 677 archaeological sites from the Paleolithic Age to the Tang and Song Dynasties in the Three Gorges Reservoir of Chongqing area increase gradually from west to east and from high land to low land.Most of the sites are distributed along the river and aggregated at the confluence.Obviously,the altitudes of archaeological sites in the Paleolithic Age and the Neolithic Age are much higher than those of historical sites.The analysis suggests:(1)the human beings of every times would like to choose the first or the second river terrace as living sites which are nearer to the water source and are easier to with- stand flood.The pre-historical sites of earlier ages are often located at the higher altitude place because of the tectonic uplift and downcutting of rivers since Holocene.(2)Due to the rugged terrain in Chongqing area,most of the sites are located along the river sides,for example,the wide river valley and terrace,which could provide wider living space caused by the lateral erosion and deposition of the river course.(3)The early residents mainly relied on fishing,hunting and agriculture,and the rugged terrain of the mountaino     

A new model for the grid size optimization of the finite element method --Based on its application to the water quality modeling of the topographically complicated river

The finite element method is one of the typical methods that are used for numerical water quality modeling of the topographically complicated river. In this paper, based on the principle of probability theory the probability density of pollutants is introduced. A new model for the grid size optimization based on the finite element method is developed with the incorporation of the maximum information entropy theory when the length of the grid is given. Combined with the experiential evaluation approach of the flow discharge per unit river width, this model can be used to determine the grid size of the finite element method applied to water quality modeling of the topographically complicated river when the velocity field of the river is not given. The calculating results of the application of the model to an ideal river testified the correctness of the model. In a practical case-the application of the model to the Xingjian River (the Hengyang section of the Xiangjiang River), the optimized width of the grid of the finite element method was gained and the influence of parameters was studied, which demonstrated that the model reflected the real situation of the pollutants in the river, and that the model had many excellent characteristics such as stabilization, credibility and high applicability in practical applications.     

Deformation in the Three Gorges Reservoir after the first impoundment determined by GPS measurements

A 6-year long GPS observation (1998—2003) indicates that crustal deformation in the Three Gorges area is less active at a marginally measurable rate of 0—5 mma relative to stable South China block. However, the impounding water in June 2003 has induced transient displacement at the Three Gorges dam and the emerging reservoir. GPS measurements after the first stage of water filling of the reservoir demonstrate that vertical subsidence close by Yangtze River is about 10—40 mm, and the horizontal displacement is less than 5—10 mm. The maximum subsidence induced by the impoundment is located in the segment of the reservoir from Maoping to Xiangxi. The water loading-induced deformation diminishes rapidly with the distance from banks of the reservoir. The overall pattern of transient deformation is consistent with the simulation result of Farrell, and is attributed to the elastic response of upper lithosphere crust to overlying water reservoir.     

A 1.5 Ma sporopollen record of paleoecologic environment evolution in the central Chinese Loess Plateau

A 1.5 Ma sporopollen record was obtained from a continuous loess-paleosol sequence at Chaona in the central Chinese Loess Plateau. It shows that (1) arid herbs of largely Artemisia and Chenopodiaceae and arbors of mainly Pinus, Betula and Quercus dominate loess and paleosol, respectively, reflecting cycles of cold-dry and warm-humid conditions of glaciation and interglaciation; (2) that similar vegetation pattern and cold-dry condition were found in times of unusual thick and coarse loesses L9 and L15, which have been regarded as two extremely cold and dry times as indicated by inorganic climatic proxies; and (3) that shifts of vegetations from earlier forest-steppe to open-forest and steppe and then to steppe were found at 0.95 and 0.5 Ma,implying a stepwise of drying of the Loess Plateau in the Quaternary.     

Impacts of Soil.Water Conservation in Jialing River on Sedimentation of the Three Gorges Reservoir

The Jialing River is one of the main tributaries of the Yangtze River. The average annual runoff accounts for 16 % and the sediment load 26% of the total at Yichang therefore it＇s one of the main contributors of sediment to the Three Gorges Reservoir. Ever since 1989, our country has implemented ＂Yangtze River soil and water conservation＂ project, Till the end of 1996, altogether 25.8 % of erosion area in Jialing River has been improved after large scale conservation has taken effect. The analysis and comparison between records taken before and after the implementation of soil and water conservation on runoff and sediment yield indicated that the sediment load soil erosion in Jialing river basin has been taken under control to some extent. Amount of annual runoff in main conservations have generally dropped by exponential function. Obvious result has been achieved in Jialing River, efficiency of sand reduction is about 10%-25%. Therefore, sediment to Three Gorges Reservoir is decreased accordingly, and it will be beneficial to take advantage of reser- voir＇s synthetic benefit.     

Chinese Science Bulletin

COVER The source region of the Yellow River contributes more than one-third of total runoff for the entire basin,and is regarded as the"water tower"of the river.Discharge in     

Origin of Gymnocypris przewalskii and phylogenetic history of Gymnocypris eckloni (Teleostei: Cyprinidae)

The origins and phylogenetic patterns were assessed for G. przewalskii and G. eckloni by analyzing the complete mtDNA cytochrome b gene sequence (1140bp). Phylogenetic analyses further supported that there were three mtDNA lineages (A-C) identified in G. przewalskii and G. eckloni, demonstrating that outer rakers of the first gill have little significance in the phylogeny of the Gymnocypris fishes. The network established showed that G . eckloni of the Yellow River specific haplotype Al was a founder and it radiated all haplotypes of G. przewalskii which suggested G . przewalskii might only originate from one of two maternals of G . eckloni from the Yellow River. Fs test and mismatch analysis showed at least two expansion events in the population of G. przewalskii about 0.2734 Ma and 0.0658 Ma, while G. eckloni from Qaidam Basin could have experienced severe bottleneck effect about 0.0693 Ma. The population expansion was detected in subclades Al and A21 with the most recent common ancestor (TMRCA) about 0. 2308±0.01 Ma and 0.1319±0. 015 Ma, respectively, which were within the geological age range of "Gonghe Movement" event that caused the separation of Lake Qinghai from the upper Yellow River. These results suggested the effect of the fish diversification by rapid uplift of the Qing-hai-Tibetan Plateau in the Late Pleistocene.     

The magnetic properties of Serbian loess and its environmental significance

This paper reports a loess-paleosol sequence located in the Danube River basin,Serbia,which formed at least since the latest part of the early Pleistocene,and before the paleomagnetic B/M boundary.Various magnetic parameters of the Serbian V-L1-V-S4 loess-paleosol sequence have been measured and analyzed in the Titel Loess Plateau.These parameters show a very similar magnetic behavior compared with that of the Chinese loess.There is a general positive relationship between magnetic susceptibility() and pedogenesis.The main contributors to are the magnetic grains of SP(superparamagnetic) and SD(single domain) magnetic domains,while MD(multi domain) contributes only a small percentage.The difference in between loess and paleosol mainly is caused by pedogenesis.The very fine magnetic minerals increase gradually with increasing soil development(from loess to soil),and they lead to higher.The thermomagnetic curves show thatmagnetic minerals in the loess layers are magnetite and maghemite,both providing a major contribution to.In contrast the paleosol layers mainly are composed of magnetite,with almost no or a very small amount of maghemite,as implied by a reversible thermomagnetic behavior.This indicates that pedogenic conditions during V-S3 and V-S4 strong soil development have resulted in maghemite that is no longer stable,and has been resolved or converted to other stable phase minerals.This likely indicates that soil moisture during V-S3 and V-S4 development exceeded a critical condition of maghemite stability.     

Sources and transportation of suspended matter and sediment in the southern Yellow Sea： Evidence from stable carbon isotopes

The concentrations of total suspended matter (TSM) and the compositions of organic stable carbon isotopes of TSM and bottom sediments were analyzed to study the sources of TSM and sediments and the transportation processes. For this study, 284 TSM samples and 64 sediment ones taken from 67 stations along 7 transects and in 5 layers were collected in the southern Yellow Sea on the cruise in May, 1998. The main sediment transportation pattern in the southern Yellow Sea was obtained by analyzing the distribution characteristics of TSM concentration and particulate organic carbon δ^13C values. It was confirmed from the pattern that the bottom layer plays a more important role than the surface one in the transportation processes of terrigenous material to the central deep-water area of the southern Yellow Sea. The Yellow Sea circulation is an important control factor in determining the sediment transportation pattern in the southern Yellow Sea. The carbon isotope signals of sedimentary organic matter confirmed that the main material in sediments with high sedimentation rate in the Shandong subaqueous delta originated from the modern Yellow River.The terrigenous sediments in the deep-water area of the southern Yellow Sea are mainly from the abandoned Yellow River and the modern Yellow River, and a small portion of them are from the modern Yangtze material. The amount of terrigenous material from Korean Peninsula and its influence range are relatively limited. The conclusions derived from TSM and stable carbon isotopes were further confirmed by another independent material source tracer--PAHs.     

Magnetism parameters characteristics of drilling deposits in Jianghan Plain and indication for forming of the Yangtze River Three Gorges

The forming time of the Yangtze River Three Gorges is considered as one of keys in the research on the Yangtze River, also is one of the most disputed hotspots. In order to solve the difficult problem, the authors adopt the internationally recognized thoughts and methods of substance tracing from source to sink. The lithologic characteristics, magnetic parameters and magnetic mineral characteristics of deposits in 2 bores are analyzed, which are both sampled from the sedimentary center of the Jianghan Plain. The results are as follows： At about 110 m depth of the core, the contents of coarse materials and stable magnetic mineral both increase significantly. Meanwhile, the magnetic susceptibility of sediment, saturation isothermal remanent magnetization and magnetic susceptibility values of anhysteretic remanent magnetism increase suddenly, which all reflect that at about 110 m depth, the important adjustment has appeared in water system of the Jianghan Plain, and the sedimentary environment and material composition have changed greatly. And it may be the horizon where the Yangtze River Three Gorges formed, its forming time reflected by the paleomagnetic dating is between 1.17 and 1.12Ma B.P.     

Relations between man and nature reflected by the evolution of the Neolithic production tools in the Three Gorges region of Yangtze River,China

The relations between man and nature reflected by evolution of Neolithic production tools in the Three Gorges region of Yangtze River is discussed in this paper.Our results show that there is a good correlation between the percentage vibration of cutting tool types and the environmental evolution indicated by the natural profile nearby.It is possible for ancestors from the Three Gorges region to learn the advantage of mortise and tenon in the early Neolithic Age because they used the stones as vital tools for processing woods.The hunting method in the early Neolithic is throwing,which was inherited in the mid-Neolithic Age when hunting with arrow and bow was developed.Fishing tools are found at the same period.Numbers of net sinkers and spinning wheels unearthed from the strata of the Western Zhou Dynasty from Zhongba Site reveal the fact of fishing with net,while a mass of fishbone pits indi- cate the powerful productivity brought by new production tools.Quantity of stone spades and stone hoes proves that cultivation agriculture by hoe is extremely attached importance by the ancestors in the Three Gorges region.Moreover,the developed agriculture in Daxi Culture at Zhongbao Island benefits from the landform,climate,traffic location,etc.Otherwise,the reason that the farming tools declined in the late Neolithic Age is related to the extreme flood during the early Xia Dynasty and the fishing hunting preference of some ancient settlements.This research shows that ancestors of the Three Gorges region during the Neolithic Age attached importance to fish hunting and cultivation, fought against the natural environment by production tools,constantly created and improved them, then comprehensively utilized them to evolve the relations between man and nature.     

Origin of Gymnocypris przewalskii and phylogenetic history of Gymnocypris eckloni (Teleostei: Cyprinidae)

The origins and phylogenetic patterns were assessed for G. przewalskii and G. eckloni by analyzing the complete mtDNA cytochrome b gene sequence （1140bp）. Phylogenetic analyses further supported that there were three mtDNA lineages (A-C) identified in G. przewalskii and G. eckloni, demonstrating that outer rakers of the first gill have little significance in the phylogeny of the Gymnocypris fishes. The network established showed that G. eckloni of the Yellow River specific haplotype A1 was a founder and it radiated all haplotypes of G. przewalskii which suggested G. przewalskii might only originate from one of two maternals of G. eckloni from the Yellow River. Fs test and mismatch analysis showed at least two expansion events in the population of G. przewalskii about 0.2734 Ma and 0.0658 Ma, while G. eckloni from Qaidam Basin could have experienced severe bottleneck effect about 0.0693 Ma. The population expansion was detected in subclades A1 and A21 with the most recent common ancestor (TMRCA) about 0.2308±0.01 Ma and 0.1319±0.015 Ma, respectively, which were within the geological age range of “Gonghe Movement” event that caused the separation of Lake Qinghai from the upper Yellow River. These results suggested the effect of the fish diversification by rapid uplift of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau in the Late Pleistocene.     

Evaluation of crustal stability in the lower Yellow River region

The evaluation of crustal stability in the lower Yellow River region （LYR） is vital to the engineering project of the Yellow River embankment and construction of the Huang-Huai-Hai plain. From three aspects of tectonic stability, surface stability and medium stability, this paper analyzes in detail the factors such as tectonic activity, tectonic stress, exogenic geologic disasters and ground material composition which affect crustal stability in the study area and the spatial distributions of subordinate degree of the evaluation factors. It then constructs the crustal stability evaluation model of fuzzy mathematics based on GIS by using AHP to among the various factors find out the interrelations comprehensive evaluation of fuzzy mathematics and the functions of spatial overlay and spatial database of ArcGIS. Based upon this the crustal stability evaluation is carried out, the results show that the areas of stable and instable regions are basically the same, being 48.72% and 51.28% respectively. The area of moderate stable region takes a dominant position, being about 70.58%. The crust instable region presents zonal distribution and under the control of tectonic faulted belt. But the region where the LYR runs across is mostly instable with a total length of the river being 568.345 km, or 78.93% of all. The river reach where the crustal stability is relatively poor along the LYR is concentrated in the Lankao-Dongping section.     

Progress in the stratigraphy and geochronology of the Shuidonggou site, Ningxia, North China

In the past years we carried out further stratigraphy division in field and it is found that rich stone artifacts can be found in fluvial-shallow lake-alluvial sediments on the terrace Ⅱ of Biangou River, inShuidonggou site, Ningxia and they are SDG1, 2 and 7. More luminescence and AMS ^14C dating in laboratory show that Paleolithic culture develops during the Upper Paleolithic period with ages of 35--20 ka. The Paleolithic culture of SDG 1 is a little earlier than that of SDG 2 similar to SDG 7. The sandy sediments on terrace Ⅱ of Biangou River deposits in the past 72--18 ka, corresponding to Last Glacial. SDG2 has a stable sedimentary environment, resulting in the continuous stratigraphy, thickest deposits and rich environment and culture information, which can be regarded as the important and classic paleoanthropological section of Late Pleistocene in this region.