The magnetic properties of sediment and sedimentary environment in the Huanghe Delta area after the last glacial maximum

On the basis of measuring the magnetic parameters of sediment in Core YDZ1, combined with a grain size analysis and Carbon-14 dating, the magnetic properties of sediment and sedimentary environment in the Huanghe（Yellow River） Delta area after the last glacial maximum have been studied. The results show that the ferrimagnetic minerals of a pseudo single domain and multi domain particles dominate the magnetic properties of sediment in Core YDZ1. The imperfect anti ferrimagnetic minerals have more contribution on sediment in a depth of 24.0–22.1 m, and more stable-single domain and pseudo single domain particles exist. The susceptibility of anhysteretic remanent magnetization and the ratio of the susceptibility of anhysteretic remanent magnetization to saturation isothermal remanent magnetization show a decrease trend below depth of 24 m, a marked increase trend in a depth of 24.0–13.5 m, and a rapid decrease at depth of 13.5 m, then a fluctuation trend upward. The above two magnetic parameters and the ratio of the susceptibility of anhysteretic remanent magnetization to the mass susceptibility can be regarded as the proxy indicators for the content of clay（〈4 μm）and the fine-grained size（〈32 μm）. The sedimentary environment after the last glacial maximum in the Huanghe Delta area has experienced the fluvial facies, the tidal flat facies, the neritic facies, the pro delta facies, the delta front facies and the floodplain facies. Thickness of the Holocene transgression layer is 10.5 m and the depth of substrate is about 24 m according to the YDZ1 core. The sedimentary dynamic has a variation trend with strongweak-strong, which has been proved by the Flemming triangular schema.

Formation of greigite under different climate conditions in the Yellow River delta

Formation and preservation of greigite can indicate the physicochemical characteristics of sedimentary environment. Presence of greigite can be diagnosed in the late Pleistocene fluvio-lacustrine sedimentary layers of 29.4–29.7 and 26.1–27.1 m in core ZK30 of the Yellow River delta, based on analysis of particle size, magnetic properties, scanning electron microscope(SEM) and X-ray diffraction(XRD) measurements. These layers are the transition zones from shallow marine facies to fluvio- lacustrine facies, and from fluvio-lacustrine facies to salt marsh facies in an ascending order, respectively. They are characterized by higher SIRM and SIRM/χ(>30 kA m-1) values than those of other layers, suggesting the possible existence of greigite. Both SEM and XRD analyses confirm its presence. However, sediment layer of 29.4–29.7 m are coarser, and greigite coexists with pyrite, but sediment layer of 26.1–27.1 m are finer and the occurrence of greigite is not accompanied by pyrite. The different occurrence of greigite in the two layers suggests that different climate condition and sedimentary environment control its formation and preservation.