Abstract:Twenty-four samples from three Holocene loess profiles on Loess Plateau were selected for zircon surface investigation. Under the scanning electron microscope, six classes of surface ultramicrotextures were identified. Semi-quantitative method was used to calculate the frequencies of occurrence of six classes of surface microstructures. Based on the characteristics of the surface features, the formation of the six-class features could be interpreted by chemical weathering, physical weathering and combinated weathering respectively. The types of zircon surface features and their occurrence frequencies could be used as an index to evaluate the extent and nature of weathering and the pedogenetic changes. Furthermore, pedogenic environments are discussed.