Abstract:This paper deals with the reflectance spectrum of Xiashu Loess. Lijiagang profile, a typical profile of Xiashu loess, has been selected to study the difference in reflectance spectrum between the loess layers and its overlaping paleosol layers. The results determined by two kinds of color differential meter show that both of the brightness and the red index can be served as a useful tool to discriminate the paleosols from the sequence. The paleoclimate revealed by color indexes in Xiashu loess has been divided into 3 main cycles based on the configuration of reflectance spectrum, which can be also confirmed by the signals of magnetic susceptibility and the contents and ratio of element Rb to Sr. Compared with the equivalents in Loess Plateau, west China, the Xiashu loess shows higher values in reflectance spectrum, which implies a relative stronger chemical weathering and pedogenesis in the lower reach area of Changjiang River.