Sedimentation History of Neogene Lacustrine Sediments of Sueoka Bela Stena Based on Geochemical Parameters(Valjevo-Mionica Basin,Serbia)

Sediments of the western part of the Valjevo-Mionica basin （Serbia） were examined both geochemically and mineralogically to explain, on the basis of their sedimentologicai characteristics, the causes of changes in their qualitative and quantitative composition. A total of 62 samples obtained from the drillhole at depths up to 400 m was investigated. Using correlation of the obtained data, six geochemical zones were defined, two of which being specially distinguished by their mineralogical, geochemical and sedimentological characteristics. The first one, upper zone A, consists of banded marlstones interbedded with clay and oil shales and is characterized by presence of analcite and searlesite. These minerals and very high contents of Na20 indicate sedimentation in alkaline conditions with increased salinity in arid climate. That provided pronounced water stratification, as well as higher bioproductivity in the basin and sedimentary organic matter preservation. Therefore, the zone A sediments are characterized by high organic matter contents of the type which provides good potential for production of liquid hydrocarbons. Another specific zone, zone F, contains sediments with very high MgO, K2O and Li concentrations. Their geochemical correlation, as well as almost complete absence of illite in this zone, indicates the presence of interstratified clay mineral type illite-saponite （lithium-bearing Mg-smectite）.

Aeolian component records in lacustrine sediments and its atmospheric circulation significance for evolution of Qarhan salt lake,NE Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

1 Introduction The Qarhan Playa of Qaidam Basin is located at the northeastern QinghaiTibetan Plateau(QTP),in which thick lacustrine and evaporate sediments deposited since the late Pleistocene(Chen et al.,1985,1986).As surrounded by capacious Gobi and yardang fields and suffered strong westerly-northwesterly wind,abundant aeolian materials were trapped in these sediment sequences in the

A Preliminary Study on the Soft–Sediment Deformation Structures in the Late Quaternary Lacustrine Sediments at Tashkorgan, Northeastern Pamir, China

This study identified soft-sediment deformation structures （SSDS） of seismic origin from lacustrine sediments in the late Quaternary paleo-dammed lake at Tashkorgan, northeastern Pamir. The observed deformation structures include sand dykes, liquefied diapir and convolute structures, gravity induced SSDS, and thixotropic pillar and tabular structures. We conducted a preliminary study on the morphology, formation and trigger mechanisms of pillar and tabular structures formed by liquefaction of underlying coarse sand and thixotropy of the upper silty clay. The regional tectonic setting and distribution of lacustrine strata indicate that the most probable trigger for the SSDS in lacustrine sediments was seismic activity, with an approximate earthquake magnitude of M〉6.0; the potential seismogenic fault is the southern part of the Kongur normal fault extensional system. AMS ^4C dating results indicate that the SSDS were formed by seismic events occurring between 26050±100 yrBP and 22710±80 yrBP, implying intense fault activity in this region during the late Pleistocene. This study provides new evidence for understanding tectonic activity and regional geodynamics in western China.

Microplastic contamination in lacustrine sediments in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau:Current status and transfer mechanisms

This paper aims to investigate the present situation and transfer mechanisms of microplastics in lacustrine sediments in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.The study surveyed the average abundance of microplastics in sediments.The abundance of microplastics in sediments of lakes from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is 17.22-2643.65 items/kg DW and 0-60.63 items/kg DW based on the data of the Qinghai Lake and the Siying Co Basin.The microplastic abundance in sediments from small and medium lakes is very high compared to that in other areas in the world.Like microplastics in other lakes of the world,those in the lakes in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau mainly include organic polymers PA,PET,PE,and PP and are primarily in the shape of fibers and fragments.The microplastic pollution of lacustrine sediments in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is affected by natural changes and by human activities,and the concentration of microplastics in lacustrine ecosystems gradually increases through food chains.Furthermore,the paper suggests the relevant administrative departments of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau strengthen waste management while developing tourism and pay much attention to the impacts of microplastics in water environments.This study provides a reference for preventing and controlling microplastic contamination in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

Environmental records of lacustrine sediments in different time scales:Sediment grain size as an example

Sediment grain size is a conventional proxy of climatic changes. Larger sediment grain size is often interpreted to indicate dry climate during lower lake level while smaller sedi- ment grain size implies wet climate during higher lake level. Through detailed study on sediment grain sizes in Lake Erhai and Lake Chenghai, this paper reveals the different indication signifi- cances of sediment grain sizes in different time scales, different resolution investigations. For long time-scale and low resolution (102a or 103a) studies, larger sediment grain size indicates lower lake level, smaller lake area and drier climate while smaller sediment grain size indicates higher lake level, larger lake area and wetter climate. For short time-scale and high resolution (a or 10a) studies, larger sediment grain size reflects more rainfall and wetter climate while smaller sediment grain size reflects less rainfall and drier climate. Environmental information revealed by lacustrine sediment records is often different in different time scales because of the variance of sedimentation resolution, sampling resolution and dating precision. Therefore, paleoclimate im- plications of environmental proxies in long time-scale and low resolution investigations could not be mechanically applied to short time-scale and high resolution studies. Only after synthetically analyzing the influence manner and extent of all factors on the sediment records in different time scales, can credible conclusions be obtained.

Environmental mechanism of magnetic susceptibility changes of lacustrine sediments from Lake Hulun, China

The changes of magnetic susceptibility(κ) are correlated with those of corresponding sedimentological, geochemical, mineralogical and biological results, which verifies thatκ can be taken as one of the environmental proxies. However, usually the exact origin of magnetic signal is poorly understood, and is difficult to relate with the environmental evolution. Magnetic properties of material derived from the catchment and sedimentary environment may affect the accumulation, preservation, or authigenesis and diagenesis of magnetic minerals. In the Lake Hulun region in Inner Mongolia, it is found that muddy sediments, deposited during high water level period (corresponding to humid climate), have comparatively highκ values. In contrast, the sandy sediments, deposited during low water level period (corresponding to arid climate), have lowκ values. Detailed rock magnetic investigation confirms that detrital magnetite derived from volcanic rocks in the catchment exists in both muddy and sandy sediments. During high water level period, secondary ferrimagnetic iron sulphide was produced in muddy sediments under relatively reductive conditions. Ferrimagnetic iron sulphide, coexisting with detrital magnetite, predominates the magnetic properties of muddy sediments, resulting in increasingκ. This paper reveals the significance of authigenic ferrimagnetic iron sulphide produced after sediment deposition.

Environmental characteristics of Mid-Holocene recorded by lacustrine sediments from Lake Daihai, north environment sensitive zone, China

Climate proxies, such as total organic carbon and nitrogen (TOC, TN), carbonate content (CaCO3), grain-size and pollen of the sediment core retrieved from enclosed Lake Daihai which lies in the north China environment sensitive zone are analyzed to reconstruct the environment evolution of the area based on high-resolution radiocarbon chronology. The results reveal that the TOC and TN contents of the sediments correlate well with pollen percentage and pollen flux variations during the Holocene, and both reach their peak values simultaneously at 6.7―3.5 ka BP (calendar age, 7.6―3.6 ka BP). Since 6.7 ka BP, both the CaCO3 and organic matter contents of the core have simultaneous variations, and their high values also occur during 6.7―3.5 ka BP. While during 9.0―6.7 ka BP (calendar age, 10―7.6 ka BP) relatively lower level of organic matter content and pollen flux corre- spond to the higher level of carbonate content. The above relations suggest that during 6.7―3.5 ka BP, the productivity and effective precipitation were greatly improved in the lake drainage area, and this would probably strengthen the hydrodynamic conditions, enhancing organic matter, pollen and carbonate inputs from terrestrial sources. Such processes would account for the enrichment of both organic matter and carbonate in the sediments. While during 9.0―6.7 ka BP, the lower level of or- ganic matter, pollen flux but high carbonate content show depressed productivity and declined vege- tation coverage. The higher carbonate content at this stage would have probably resulted from the higher evaporation ratio of the lake water under relatively drier climate conditions. Therefore, it is in- ferred that during 6.7―3.5 ka BP, the climate was more humid with abundant rainfalls and vegetation was more flourishing in the Lake Daihai area. This can be seen as Holocene Climate Optimum (HCO). As a result, this has evident discrepancies with the traditional notion that the HCO occurs at Early Holocene or early Mid-Holocene.

LACUSTRINE SEDIMENTS—AN INDICATOR OF HISTORICAL CLIMATIC VARIATION——THE CASE OF QINGHAI LAKE AND DAIHAI LAKE

Lacustrine sediments, especially those of the closed lakes in semi-arid and arid areas, preserve abundant information and hence the lakes serve as an indicator of climatic and environmental changes, characterized by its continuity, sensitivity and high resolution. Now the studies on lake environmental changes on different time scales have become an important basis for establishing global climatic model. In order to study the characteristics of

Chronology of Holocene lacustrine sediments in Co Ngoin, central Tibetan Plateau

Chronology is the basis for using lacustrine sediments to reconstruct the history of en-vironmental change. Radioactive-nuclides such as 14C, 210Pb and 137Cs dating are mainly used to establish the chronology for recent several ten thousand years. Because of being mixed with “dead carbon”, the measured 14C age is always older than the actual age which is recognized as “reservoir effect”. Cs is a kind of active metal element, and easy to migrate vertically in the sediment that leads to the error of the time marker. 210Pb dating should make sure to select CIC model or CRS model. On the Tibetan Plateau, most of the lakes are alkaline closed lake where Cs is more moveable in the sediment and the reservoir effect caused by “dead carbon” on 14C dating is stronger. Based on the analysis on results of 14C, 210Pb and 137Cs of the lacustrine sediments from Co Ngoin, central Tibetan Plateau, we use the simple regression method to re-calculate the 14C calendar ages, and establish the time sequence for cores CE-1 and CE-2 with result of 210Pb CRS model for the upper 35 cm and re-calculated 14C calendar age for sediments bellow 35 cm. Since 1400 cal. a BP, sedimentation inter-rupted for more than 1000 years. According to this time sequence, variations of environmental proxies confidently reflect the major climatic events in Holocene.

Environmental magnetic studies of lacustrine sediments

In recent decades, environmental magnetism has become an important method for studying past global climatic and environmental changes. For an environmental magnetic study, it is important to understand the magnetic properties of various magnetic minerals in lacustrine sediments and the processes involved in the formation, transport, and preservation of these magnetic minerals. The magnetic response of lacustrine sediments to climatic change may vary widely from lake to lake. To reconstruct the processes contributing to paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental change, it is, therefore, necessary to derive a complete understanding of the potential origin of the magnetic signal observed.

Paleosandstorm characteristics and lake evolution history deduced from investigation on lacustrine sediments——The case of Hongjiannao Lake, Shaanxi Province

Sediment cores from desert lakes serve as good records of the frequency and intensity of sandstorms in his- tory. By multi-proxy analysis of grain-size, magnetic suscep- tibility, TOC and Rb/Sr ratio, the paleosandstorm character- istics and lake evolution history in Yulin Area for the past 80 years. are discussed in this article. It is revealed that Hong- jiannao Lake formed in about 1928 A.D. and in its initial stage sandstorms were prevalent with three extremes taking place in 1936 A.D., 1939 A.D. and 1941 A.D.. During the ex- pansion period of 1952―1960 A.D., inflow waters to the lake increased sharply and a lot more weathered materials were carried into the lake. The frequency and intensity of sand- storms have reduced a lot since 1960s and the “double peaks” feature of the grain-size frequency curve has changed into the “single peak” feature. Study on the catchment ecol- ogy of the lake shows that the occurrence of sandstorms has been effectively restrained by the forest plantation and water and soil conservation.

Environmental indicators from comparison of sporopollen in early Pleistocene lacustrine sediments from different climatic zones

Two lacustrine sporopollen records obtained from the Qaidam Basin (in the non-monsoonal region) and the Linxia Basin (in the monsoonal transition zone) indicate that during the early Pleistocene open forest-steppe/steppe vegetation developed in the Qaidam Basin, while in the Linxia Basin an open cypress forest-steppe shifted to a conifer/conifer-steppe and then to open forest-steppe vegetation. Existing sporopollen records from the Chinese Loess Plateau (CLP) (in the monsoonal region) indicate that around the Sanmen Paleolake open forest-steppe shifted to pine/conifer-broadleaved mixed forest. The conifer cover then changed to a subtropical evergreen broadleaved forest distributed around the Nihewan Paleolake. These changes suggest that wetter conditions progressed from western China to the east, and the climate became more humid than that of today indicating a stronger Asian summer monsoon during the early Pleistocene.

Age dating of lacustrine sediments in Lake Tianshuihai of the Tibetan Plateau by using U-series isochron method and its significance

The age of the clastic-clay sediments with varied content of carbonate in core TS95 taken from the Lake Tianshuihai in the northwest of the Tibetan Plateau was determined successfully by using the total sample dissolution U-series isochron method for the first time. With this method, the serial absolute timescale (isotope time scale) covered the last 240 ka in the main body of the Tibetan Plateau with a sea level up to 4000 m is also established for the first time, thereby laying the foundation for the research on the paleo-climate and palaeoenvironment in the Lake Tianshuihai region as well as the relationship between evolution of the Tibetan Plateau and global changes. In addition to a brief introduction of the basic principles, the procedures of experiments, and the results, this note also presents the adaptability and superiority of this method as well as its possible problems.

Lacustrine sedimentary responses to earthquakes—soft-sediment deformation structures since late Pleistocene:A review of current understanding

The traces left by earthquakes in lacustrine sediments are studied to determine the occurrence of ancient earthquakes by identifying seismically induced soft-sediment deformation structures(SSDS).Dating can help reconstruct the relative frequency of earthquakes.Identifying seismically induced seismites,which carry abundant seismic information from numerous SSDS,is both critical and challenging.Studying the deformation mechanism of SSDS and learning about the common criteria of seismically induced SSDS improve the identification of earthquake triggers.With better research into SSDS,seismic events can be effectively captured,and temporal constraints can be carried out by 14C dating and optically stimulated luminescence(OSL)dating to identify and date the occurrence of ancient earthquakes.The present contribution primarily addresses the meaning and mechanism of SSDS and their relationship with earthquake magnitude as well as the common criteria of the SSDS induced by earthquakes.

Uranium distribution in the lacustrine calcareous clastic-evaporite sequence in the western Qaidam Basin,and implications for U behavior in concentration of closed water

Uranium(U)provides especially useful information for reconstructing paleoredox conditions due to its unique geochemical properties and behavior in supergene environments.The proxy potential under suboxic-oxic

Relationship between pollen assemblages and organic geochemical proxies and the response to climate change in the Zhuye Lake sediments

This paper examines the relationship among organic geochemical proxies （TOC, C/N ratio and ~13C） and pollen assemblages in Zhuye Lake sediments since the Late Glacial. Results show that the reaction extent of organic geochemical proxies and pollen as- semblages to environment changes are different. Organic geochemical proxies are sensitive to overall environmental change, while pollen assemblages indicate detailed information of environmental change. For the entire sedimentary section （except the sand layer fi＇om the bottom of the section）, when values of TOC, C/N ratio and total pollen concentrations are high, 813C values are low, and vice versa. The different responses of organic geochemical proxies and pollen records in Zhuye Lake are mainly due to their different sensitivity and diverse influencing factors in different environmental conditions.

Variation in δ^(15)N of a lacustrine sedimentary sequence in the Nanling Mountains and its potential implication for climatic conditions over the past ~16000 years

Although extensive studies have been performed on nitrogen isotopes in lake sediments, understanding the complexity of the δ15N variation related to past environmental and climatic conditions still remains unclear. Supported by multi-proxy records including litho-units, organic carbon isotopes, ration of total organic carbon and total nitrogen, organic matter content, bulk dry density, the accumulation rate of organic matter, median grain size, magnetic susceptibility, and Rb/Sr and Ca/Mg ratios obtained from a sedimentary sequence in a small lake （i.e., Dahu Swamp） in the eastern Nanling Mountains in South China, we deduce that variation in the δ15N values results primarily from the sources of organic matter, which are significantly influenced by climatic conditions over the past -16 000 years. A low （or high） lake level resulting from dry （or wet） conditions would lead to more （or fewer） vascular plant remains in the sediments and stronger （or weaker） denitrification associated with hypolimnetic anoxia, resulting in lower （or higher） 615N values. In addition, dry （or wet） conditions would favor weakened （or strengthened） biogeochemical activity in the catchment, which could result in less （or more） external input of δ15N-enriched OM, thus leading to decreased （or increased） δ15N values. Our results indicate that the lake sediment δ15N record in the Nanling Mountains has the potential to provide valuable insight into past East Asian monsoon climate- driven environmental changes.

Geochemistry of Sediments from a Subalpine Lake Sedimentary Succession in the Western Nanling Mountains,Southern China:Implications for Catchment Weathering During the Last 15400 Years

In the present work,15400 yr old geochemical records of a core from the subalpine Daping swamp are presented with the aim to examine the relationship between the chemical weathering and the climatic changes in the region of the western Nanling Mountains,China.The climate of the study region was deeply controlled by the East Asian summer monsoon.The results indicate that,in the past 15400 yrs,the values of chemical index of alteration(CIA)ranged from 73.9%to 88.2%(mean:85.3%),suggested a medium and high intensity of chemical weathering.The local exogenous clastic materials,which were derived from the weathered residues,played a key role in contributing towards the sediments.Since the climate-induced chemical weathering exerted strong influences on the geochemical features of weathered residues,the geochemical characteristics of the sediments were deeply impacted by climatic conditions.Wetter and warmer conditions would favor increased chemical weathering,resulting in more leaching of soluble and mobile elements(e.g.,Ba and Sr)and leaving the resistant and immobile elements(e.g.,Al and Ti)enriched in the weathered residues.These materials were then eroded and transported into the lake,and led to the sediments characterized by the characteristic of having depleted soluble elements.In contrast,dry and cold conditions would result in an opposite trend.In this sense,the geochemical records can serve as proxies to indicate changes of chemical weathering intensity,which were closely related to the evolution of summer monsoon.

Discovery of lacustrine shale deposits in the Yanshan Orogenic Belt,China: Implications for hydrocarbon exploration

The mechanism of formation of lacustrine deposits within stable orogenic belts and their potential for shale oil and gas exploration are frontier themes of challenge in the fields of sedimentology and petroleum exploration. Orogenic belts witness strong tectonic activities and normally cannot host stable lacustrine basins and deep shale formations. Therefore, basins in orogenic belts are considered to have no potential to form shale hydrocarbon reservoirs. Here we investigate the Luanping Basin located in the Yanshan orogenic belt where previous studies regarded rivers and fan deltas as the major main Mesozoic deposits. Based on detailed field exploration and scientific drilling, we report the finding of a large number of lacustrine shale continental deep-water deposits in the Mesozoic strata. Our finding of the occurrence of active shale oil and gas also in this basin also subvert the previous perceptions.We report SHRIMP zircon U-Pb age that define the bottom boundary of the target interval as 127.6 ± 1.7 Ma belonging to the early Cretaceous strata. Tectonics and climate are considered to be the main factors that controlled the deep-water sedimentation during this period. The drill cores revealed evidence of shale gas and the TOC of shale is 0.33%–3.60%, with an average value of 1.39% and Ro is 0.84%–1.21%, with an average value of 1.002%. The brittleness index of shale is between 52.7% and 100%. After vertical well fracturing, the daily gas production is more than 1000 m^(3). Our findings show that the basin has considerable potential for shale oil and gas. The geological resources of the shale gas in the Xiguayuan Fm. are estimated as 1110.12 × 10^(8) m^(3), with shale oil geological resources of 3340.152 × 10^(4) t. Our findings indicate that the Yanshan orogenic belt has potential exploration prospect. This work not only redefines the Luanping Basin as a rift deep-water Mesozoic Lake Basin, but also rules out the previous notion that the basin is dominated by shallow water sediments. The discovery of shale oil and gas also provides an important reference for subsequent petroleum exploration and development in this basin. Our study shows that shale oil and gas reservoirs can be found in the lacustrine basins of orogenic belts which were strongly influenced by volcanism. These results have significant implications for the sedimentology and oil exploration in the Qinling and Xingmeng Orogenic Belts of China, as well as those in other terranes of the world including the New England Orogenic Belt in Australia.

Distribution Characteristics of Phosphorus in Sediments of Dianchi

This paper takes the sediments of Dianchi Lake as the research object.The results show that the total phosphorus content in the sediments of Dianchi Lake is relatively high,and the spatial variation is large,ranging from 1,193.94 to 4,629.25 mg/kg.The spatial distribution characteristics of total phosphorus in the sediments of Dianchi Lake have obvious regional differences.The average content of total phosphorus in the sediments of Dianchi Lake is 2,184.39(+579.09 mg/kg),and the TP(Total Phosphorus)content in the areas over 60%of the lake is higher than 2,000 mg/kg,which is in heavily flat.By analyzing the distribution of phosphorus forms in surface sediments of different areas of Dianchi Lake,it can be concluded that the difference is significant.The relationship between the phosphorus contents of different forms is HCl-P>NaOH-rP>NaOH-nrP>Res-P>BD-P.Through summarizing the characteristics of different phosphorus distribution in the sediments of Dianchi Lake,this paper concludes that the sustained release of endogenous phosphorus load will be an important factor to delay the ecological health recovery time of Dianchi Lake and offset the effect of exogenous treatment.