Element Migration in S3 Profile of the Shaolingyuan Loess-Paleosol Sequence in Xi’an and Its Paleoclimatic Implication
Author:
Affiliation:

Clc Number:

Fund Project:

Supported by the International Cooperation Project of National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 41210002) and the “Pilot Project of Comprehensive Discipline Reform” for Universities of Henan Province of China (No. 070502)

  • Article
  • |
  • Figures
  • |
  • Metrics
  • |
  • Reference
  • |
  • Related
  • |
  • Cited by
  • |
  • Materials
  • |
  • Comments
    Abstract:

    The loess-paleosol sequence in the Loess Plateau of China contains a complete set of climate environment information since Quaternary, of which the extraction uses geochemical analysis as an important approach. In this paper, the key issue under discussion is whether the knowledge in the past coincides with the profile configuration and soil properties of the S3 paleosol developed during 336 to 307 ka BP in the Guangzhong region and the paleoclimate conditions under which it was developed. For that end, this study took the Shaolingyuan profile of S3 paleosol in Xi'an as subject, for exploration of, element migration in and chemical weathering characteristics of the profile and their implications in terms of paleoclimatic change through field investigations and geochemical analysis. The authors conducted three field investigations in March, 2014. Based on the field observation and measurement, the author divided the S3 profile in configuation and collected 61 soil samples, one every 8 cm on average along the profile for analysis of, chemical composition and CaCO3 content. Geochemical elements were determined with a PW2403 X-Ray fluorescence spectrometer analyzer of the Holland Panalytical Corp., and CaCO3 was with a BW14-08.53 calcium analyzer of the Holland Eijkelkamp Corp.. Results show as follows: The profile could be divided into argillic horizon (Bts), weathered and leached loess horizon (BC) and CaCO3 nodule illuvial horizon (Bck) in the light of development of ferruginous clay film and migration of CaCO3, and the argillic horizon of the Shaolingyuan Profile S3 was formed of three layers (Bts1-Bts2-Bts3). In Horizon Bts, migration of CaO and CaCO3 was the most significant, with leaching rate reaching up to -99.31% and -83.06%, respectively, and that of Sr, Na2O and MgO was significant, too, but Fe2O3, Al2O3and Rb accumulated slightly, particularly, Al2O3and Fe2O3 in Bts3 layer. The Shaolingyuan Profile of S3 paleosol lied in the transient phase between the primary weathering stage and the moderately strong weathering stage, with weathering displaying a rising order of BC < Blt2 < Blt1 < Blt3 in intensity. The Bts3 layer had basically completed the primary chemical weathering process characterized by leaching of Ca and Na, but had not yet started the next process characterized by leaching of K. In the light of migration and accumulation of CaCO3 and Fe2O3, it could primarily be determined that the soil of the Bts3 layer was slightly alkaline during its development, and the soils in the other two layers, Bts1 and Bts2 were alkaline, and, the Shaolingyuan profile S3 belonged to yellow cinnamon soil. During the period of S3 paleosol development, the annual mean precipitation in Xi’an region was calculated to be around 800 mm.

    Reference
    Related
    Cited by
Get Citation

CHU Chunjie, ZHAO Jingbo. Element Migration in S3 Profile of the Shaolingyuan Loess-Paleosol Sequence in Xi’an and Its Paleoclimatic Implication[J]. Acta Pedologica Sinica,2016,53(2):311-321.

Copy
Share
Article Metrics
  • Abstract:
  • PDF:
  • HTML:
  • Cited by:
History
  • Received:May 13,2015
  • Revised:November 09,2015
  • Adopted:December 11,2015
  • Online: December 15,2015
  • Published: