Behaviours of REE and Other Trace Elements During Pedological Weathering-Evidence from Chemical Leaching of Loess and Palaeosol from the Luochuan Section in Central China

The chemical leaching method is used for a systematic analysis of distribution characteristics of acid-soluble and acid-insoluble REE and other trace elements from the Luochuan loess deposits. The study shows that the acid-insoluble phase in loess and palaeosol is a stable component of old aeolian dusts and is characteristic of the provenance; the acid-soluble phase is the unstable component in the weathering pedogenic process and reflects rock-forming features after accumulation of aeolian dusts. The acid-insoluble REE and acid-soluble Sr and Pb can be used as geochemical indicators respectively to trace the provenance characteristics and the weathering pedogenic process.

Origin of Red Color of the Lower Siwalik Palaeosols:A Micromorphological Approach

Palaeosols associated with fluvial of the Siwalik Group are and lacustrine deposits that occur as thick multiple pedocomplexes. The bright red color of the palaeosol beds has been earlier interpreted as a result of hot and arid palaeoclimate. However, as against this view, our investigations of the bright red palaeosol beds of the Lower Siwaliks suggest that the climate was cool and subhumid, instead of hot and arid during the deposition of these beds. Since cold climate is not very conducive to impart red coloration, further research is needed to explain the cause of these red beds. For this, the micromorphological study of soil thin sections was done which showed the presence of features such as dissolution and recrystallisation of quartz, feldspar and mica, compaction, slickensides, presence of calcite spars, subrounded and cracked nature of quartz grains, microfabric, complex patterns of birefringence fabrics, pigmentary ferric oxides, thick cutans and cementation by calcite. These features indicate that diagenesis took place on a large scale in these sediments. The positive Eh and neutral-alkaline pH of soils also suggest that the conditions were favorable for the formation of diagenetic red beds. During burial diagenesis of sediments, the hydroxides of ferromagnesian minerals got converted into ferric oxide minerals （hematite）. During deep burial diagenesis smectite was converted into illite and the preponderance of illite over smectite with increasing depth of burial also indicates the diagenesis of sediments. Thus, the red color of the Lower Siwalik palaeosols seems to be due mainly to the burial diagenesis of sediments and does not appear to be due to the then prevailing climatic condition.

Palaeosol of the Siwalik Group as a 15 Ma Record of Palaeoclimate

Palaeosols are one of the architectural elements of sedimentation in the Siwalik Foreland Basin holding a record of long term climate changes for the past 18 Ma.Systematic study of palaeosols,and associated non-pedogenic materials,along with their parent rock is important for understanding pedogenic processes and environments,which in turn gives insight into the interrelation between climate,topography and ecosystem.The fossil soils have a special value as they remains in the place of their formation

Flood basalt hosted palaeosols:Potential palaeoclimatic indicators of global climate change

Since continental sediments （in addition to the marine geological record） offer important means of deciphering environmental changes, the sediments hosted by the successive flows of the continental flood basalt provinces of the world should be treasure houses in gathering the palaeoclimatic data. Palaeosols developed on top of basalt flows are potentially ideal for palaeoenvironmental reconstructions because it is easy to determine their protolith geochemistry and also they define a definite time interval. The present paper summarizes the nature of the basalt-hosted palaeosols formed on the flood basalts provinces from different parts of the ~lobe havin~ different ages.

Lower-order transgressive-regressive cycles within a higher-order transgression at the basin margin:an aberrant intercalation of palaeosol and biostromal ichnofabrics from the early Miocene Kutch Basin,India

The Chhasra Formation(CF)of Kutch Basin exemplifies a typical mixed siliciclastic-carbonate system with alternations of biostromal carbonate and fine-grained siliciclastic beds.The CF is subdivided into two members:the lower Claystone(CM)and the upper Siltstone(SM)member.Three CM outcrops(P1-P3)comprising buried palaeosols that formed under a specific environmental set-up involving imperfectly to poorly drained conditions,are exposed along the Berwali River.The biostromal carbonate beds,alternating with the palaeosols,contain invertebrate bioclasts(bivalves,gastropods,echinoids,etc.)and are characterized by a paucispecific firmground Thalassinoides ichnofabric.At section P1,below the contact between the underlying palaeosol and overlying carbonate,Thalassinoides transforms into firmground Gyrolithes inside the palaeosol forming a compound ichnotaxon.The palaeosol intervals of sections P1 and P2 consist of a Vondrichnus-Termitichnus-root trace ichnofabric defining the Termitichnus ichnofacies.At section P3,lenses of fully bioturbated siltstones with a monospecific firmground Thalassinoides ichnofabric can be observed within an overall silty palaeosol horizon,thereby,locally cross-cutting the pedogenic features.The ichnofabrics of section P3 indicate polyphase pedogenesis with three stages:(1)initial stage:pedogenesis in siltstone of undefined depositional affinity which was obscured by pedogenic processes,(2)transient stage:recurring marine incursions and colonization by crustaceans within the lens-shaped palaeotopographic depressions overprinting the palaeosol,and(3)final stage:subaerial exposure and another preserved phase of pedogenesis.The CM shows an apparent low-order T-R(transgressive-regressive)cyclicity within a 3rd-order TST(transgressive systems tract)that is supported by pedogenic intensity,ichnofabrics,and reciprocal sedimentation near the Miocene basin margin,though the cyclicity can be the result of both autogenic and/or lowerorder allogenic changes.

Climate and soil moisture environment during develop-ment of the fifth palaeosol in Guanzhong Plain

Based on weathering characteristics of the fifth palaeosol layer (S5) of four sections in Guanzhong Plain, the thickness of the weathered profile of the paleosol is determined to be greater than the ordi- nary soil, a weathered and leached loess layer thicker than 2 m. The distribution depth of the red argil- lans, the weathered and leached loess layer, Fe2O3, CaCO3 and Sr content under the S5 all indicate that the precipitation in Guanzhong Plain was over 900 mm at that time. The distribution depth of gravity water zone reached 4.2 m at least, and the soil moisture content was generally more than 20% within the range of 4.2 m. At that time there was sufficient soil moisture and no dried earth layer developed in Guanzhong Plain, suitable for the forest to develop. When this soil developed, the mean annual pre- cipitation was more than the annual soil moisture evaporation. The value of soil moisture balance was positive and the atmospheric precipitation could supply the underground water normally. Soil water was weak acidic in the middle and late stages when S5 developed in Guanzhong Plain. It was a kind of subtropical climate and even more humid and warmer than the northern edge of the subtropical climate zone in Guanzhong Plain when the S5 developed. At that time the subtropical climate was prevailing over the northern side and southern side of Qingling Mountains, showing the Mountains no longer to be the boundary between the subtropical zone and the temperate zone in China. The summer monsoon acted intensely and could go over Qingling Mountains frequently bring abundant precipitation.

Paleoclimatic significance of grain size of loess-palaeosol deposit in Chinese Loess Plateau

Particle size analysis for samples from three last glacial cycle loess-palaeosol profiles along a northwestsoutheast transection on the Chinese Loess Plateau has been carried out. The paleoclimatic significance of grain size indices has been obtained by analyzing the fraction content variations and their comparisons with global ice volume and solar radiation variations. The results show that (i) paleoclimatic significance of the grain size indices of loess-palaeosol deposit is different with grain size fraction content and sampling points in Chinese Loess Plateau; (ii) the sub-coarse grain fraction is a good proxy index of East Asia winter monsoon strength and therefore can be used to detect the global climate changes; (iii) the content of sub-fine and fine grain fractions is influenced by both the input of sub-coarse grain fraction and pedogenesis; (iv) the sub-coarse fraction exhibits a negative relationship with the sub-fine and fine fractlon.

Clay mineralogy and its palaeoclimatic significance in the Luochuan Ioess-palaeosols over -1.3 Ma, Shaanxi, northwestern China

To understand climate changes recorded in the Luochuan loess-palaeosols, Shaanxi province, northwes- tern China, clay mineralogy was studied using X-ray diffraction （XRD）, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy （HRTEM）, and scanning electron microscopy （SEM） methods. XRD results show that clay mineral compositions in the Luochuan loess-palaeosols are dom- inantly illite, with minor chlorite, kaolinite, smectite, and illite-smectite mixed-layer clays （US）. Illite is the most abundant species in the sediments, with a content of 61%- 83%. The content of chlorite ranges from 5%-22%, and the content of kaolinite ranges from 5%-19%. Smectite （or US） occurs discontinuously along the loess profile, with a content of 0-8%. The Kfibler index of illite （IC） ranges from 0.255°-0.491°, and the illite chemical index （ICI） ranges from 0.294-0.394. The CIA values of the loess- palaeosols are 61.9-69.02, and the R3＋/（R3＋ ＋ R2＋ ＋ M＋） values are 0.508-0.589. HRTEM observations show that transformation of illite to illite-smectite has occurred in both the loess and palaeosol, suggesting that the Luochuan loess-palaeosols have experienced a certain degree of chemical weathering. The Luochuan loess-palaeosols have the same clay mineral assemblage along the profile. However, the relative contents of clay mineral species, CIA, ICI, and IC values fluctuate frequently along the profile, and all these parameters display a similar trend. Moreover, climate changes suggested by the clay index are consistent with variations in the deep-sea 6180 records and the magnetic susceptibility value, and thus, climate changes in the Luochuan region have been controlled by global climate change.

西藏纳木错及邻区全新世气候与环境变化的地质记录

综合分析了全新世期间内的多种与气候和环境变化密切相关的地质记录,结果表明该区全新世期间的气候变化可划分为3个阶段:1)约11 8～8 4kaBP期间,处于微温期和升温期,气候相对温和稍湿.2)8 4～4 0kaBP期间,为全新世气候最适宜时期或大暖期.该期间的平均气温可能比现今高约5℃,降水量比今多100～200mm.3)4 0kaBP以来,气候整体较为干冷.纳木错湖面发生持续下降,其最大下降幅度可达11 4m.冰川进退和湖面波动表明,该期间内的气候波动过程分别与新冰期和小冰期相对应,其中又各包含了3次明显的冷期,其中新冰期期间的最低年平均气温可达-6℃左右.约1970年以来,区域气候向暖湿方向转化,造成念青唐古拉山西布冰川后退约120～200m,纳木错湖面上涨了约2m.

陕西岐山黄土剖面Rb、Sr组成与高分辩率气候变化

陕西岐山五里铺全新世黄土剖面层次结构清晰完整。通过对该剖面Rb、Sr含量和磁化率系统测定表明 ,黄土中Rb、Sr含量和Rb/Sr值明显不同于古土壤。它们作为气候替代指标比磁化率更灵敏 ,分辩率更高。Rb、Sr高含量及低Rb/Sr值指示冬季风占优势的干旱期 ,相对低的Rb、Sr含量及高的Rb/Sr值指示夏季风占优势的湿润时期。揭示在大约 6 0 0 0～ 5 0 0 0aBP曾出现一次以干旱为特征的明显气候恶化期 ,使全新世“大暖期”分裂形成两个主要的成壤期。黄土高原南部自全新世以来 ,经历了黄土沉积→土壤发育→黄土覆盖→土壤再度发育→黄土堆积及现代表土的发展演化阶段。

前处理过程对汉江上游谷地“古土壤”粒度测试结果的影响研究

对汉江谷地的古土壤用6种方法分别进行了前处理,A处理为样品H2O2和盐酸处理后,烧杯注满水静置72 h后加5 mL分散剂。B处理在A基础上再用超声波再震荡10 min。C在A基础上再用超声波再震荡20min。D处理为H2O2和盐酸处理后,烧杯注满水静置72 h后加10 mL分散剂,再用超声波再震荡20 min。E处理为H2O2和盐酸处理后再搅拌15 min,烧杯注满水静置72 h后再加入10 mL分散剂,用超声波振荡20 min。F处理为H2O2和盐酸处理后,搅拌30 min,余与E相同。用Beckman公司生产的LS1320型激光粒度仪进行测量。结果表明,样品前处理过程中,超声波震荡及振荡时间是影响粒度测量结果的最主要因素。针对汉江上游谷地的样品而言,类黄土的沉积样品(黄土、表土、河漫滩沉积物等)使用前处理方法A后,颗粒可得到充分的分散,能获得了较好的粒度测量效果。而成壤强烈和黏结性较高的古土壤样品,不同的前处理方法对粒度测量结果影响非常大,平均粒径和众值粒径可出现数倍几倍的变化,其中前处理方法C对古土壤样品较合适,样品颗粒能得到较好的分散,测量效果要好于其它方法(A、B、D、E和F)。

甘肃天水地区中新世古土壤的微形态特征及其古环境意义

通过对甘肃天水地区中新世古土壤(孙家剖面的第17～20层古土壤、下山剖面的第79～82层古土壤)微形态、粒度、碳酸钙含量、Rb/Sr、CIW、磁化率和色度指标的综合分析,揭示出该区中新世古土壤发育强度普遍高于当地现代土壤,其中早中新世中晚期古土壤发育程度相对较弱,古土壤类型为森林-森林草原型褐土-碳酸盐褐土,成壤时期气候为湿润-半湿润,指示亚洲季风可能在早中新世中晚期已经出现,强度较弱,但仍高于现代当地季风强度;中中新世古土壤发育程度强,古土壤类型为森林淋溶型褐土至棕壤,成壤时期气候温暖湿润,说明中中新世夏季风可能已很强盛,并且明显高于现在当地季风强度。

2.5Ma以来大陆风化强度的演变

本次研究得出了2.5 Ma BP以来洛川剖面黄土-古土壤序列的酸不溶物^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr、Rb/Sr、磁化率和沉积速率的变化曲线。黄土和古土壤酸不溶物^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr、Rb/Sr和磁化率的变化具有类似的阶段性和周期性,这与晚新生代以来古气候的主要变化以及行星轨道参数相一致。研究证明,黄土和古土壤酸不溶物^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr值是化学风化强度的替代指标,沉积速率是物理风化强度的替代指标。自2.5 Ma BP以来在喜马拉雅山的北面风化强度的变化分为两个阶段,其界限在约1.2 Ma BP。自2.5 Ma BP以来化学风化强度在总体上呈下降趋势,而物理风化强度呈上升趋势。物理风化强度总的增长可能是导致海水^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr迅速上升的主要原因。

黄土与古土壤容重指标与季风气候变化关系的初步研究——以郑州邙山赵下峪剖面为例

本文以郑州邙山赵下峪剖面为例，研究了黄土－古土壤序列的容重及其与磁化率、粒度的关系。结果表明，容重与磁化率反映的夏季风变化有显著的正相关关系，与粗颗粒含量反映的冬季风变化有显著的负相关关系；而天然压实作用对Ｓ１０以上黄土与古土壤容重的贡献可以忽略不计。所以，风成沉积的容重指标综合反映了冬季风与夏季风气候组合关系的变化。

从会宁末次间冰期土壤看北大西洋气候不稳定性

会宁李家塬与新庄塬高分辨率黄土剖面的粒度分析表明，末次间冰期氧同位素阶段5e时期，黄土高原地区处于较为稳定的气候环境．

渭北旱塬黄土记录的晚冰期以来短尺度气候变化

通过对长武下孟村黄土剖面的野外考察和磁化率、粒度、吸湿水含量分析 ,探讨了该地区晚冰期以来气候变化规律 .研究结果表明 ,该剖面较好地记录了新仙女木期 (YD)和博令 阿勒罗德事件 (BL +AL)短尺度较小幅度气候变化事件 .对应全新世气候最适宜期 ( 850 0— 31 0 0a .BP) ,该地为黑垆土成壤期 .从 31 0 0a .BP开始 ,季风气候格局快速转变 ,气候干旱化 ,土壤和土地资源退化 .所以 31 0

汉江上游郧县人遗址地层沉积学研究

通过在汉江上游河谷进行地貌学和沉积学野外考察观测，并对郧县人遗址沉积地层系统采样，进行磁化率、烧失量、粒度和地球化学元素等一系列理化指标的测试分析，结果表明，郧县人遗址地层剖面下部为汉江第三级阶地具有二元结构的河床相卵石层和河漫滩相中砂层，上部为风成黄土和古土壤覆盖层。这种风成沉积物与汉江河流悬移质沉积物性质完全不同。根据地层对比和古地磁B／M界限位置，及其与深海沉积物氧同位素气候年代序列的对比，可以确定郧县人遗址地层剖面顶部为第8层古土壤（Ss），对应MIS19，形成于785～760ka；其下为第9层黄土（L9），对应MIS20，形成于815～785ka。含有郧县人头盖骨和哺乳动物化石的钙结核层出现在黄土（L9）的上部，年龄为800～785ka，对应于MIS20冰期后段最为寒冷的时期。

华县老官台全新世黄土剖面pH值及其古气候意义研究

对华县老官台剖面190个样品的土壤pH值测定表明:pH值的变化从总体上与其他代用指标对应良好,可用于古气候环境的研究.当气候变得湿润时,植被生长茂盛,生物化学风化强烈,土壤pH值低;当气候变干冷时,植被稀疏,生物化学风化微弱,土壤pH值高.但就局部层位的对比情况看其pH值存在差异,主要表现在气候转型期的突变方面(不像其它指标的渐变),其两个低谷均突然出现在古土壤层S20和S10的中部,这两个古土壤层上部和下部又突然转为峰值.pH值的上述变化特点似乎说明其对降水的变化更加敏感,从这个意义上讲,pH值的变化是一个很好地反映降水情况非常敏感的气候代用指标,其可以用来定量恢复古气候中的降水量的多少,具体的实施方案还有待于进一步研究.

浅议中国黄土磁化率的物理意义

中国的陆相黄土地层连续地记录了第四纪以来的古气候变化。基于中国黄土磁化率曲线与深海氧同位素记录具有可比性这一事实，磁化率作为一种气候替代性指标在黄土研究中得到广泛的应用。但是，磁化率的物理意义仍不清楚。本文作者对陕西榆林蔡家沟剖面末次间冰期以来的风成沉积作了研究，指出黄土、古土壤的磁化率差异不仅与前人提出的碳酸盐淋失、空隙度变化、＂就地＂新生成磁性矿物等作用有关，而且还可能与有机质有重要关系。有机质中的铁细菌可能对磁化率有重要贡献。

大别山北麓竹竿河黄土—古土壤的磁组构特征及其古环境意义

大别山北麓竹竿河黄土—古土壤样品的磁组构特征显示,研究剖面0～1480cm层段的平均Pj、F值小于1.02,而底部Pj、F大于1.02。F—L、Pj—q组合关系图反映磁化率椭球体为压扁状,磁面理较磁线理发育。磁化率椭球体主轴方位显示0～1480cm层段样品的椭球体轴向分布分散,长轴的倾角大于60°,短轴的倾角小于15°,而底部的分布聚集,长轴的倾角一般小于10°,短轴的倾角大于80°,上述特征综合揭示了0～1480cm层段属于典型风成沉积而底部属于典型水成沉积。磁化率椭球体最大主轴的偏角暗示风成沉积的主导风向为NW—SE方向,而水成沉积的古流向为SW—NE方向,与现代竹竿河水系的方向基本一致。磁化率各向异性最大轴方向的优选方向可能与大别山抬升等构造运动有关。