Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-jn8rn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-23T15:22:23.690Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Palaeoclimatic changes in northeastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau revealed by magnetostratigraphy and magnetic susceptibility analysis of thick loess deposits

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 March 2014

H.Y. Lu*
Affiliation:
School of Geographic and Oceanographic Sciences, Institute for Climate and Global Change Research, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
Xianyan Wang
Affiliation:
School of Geographic and Oceanographic Sciences, Institute for Climate and Global Change Research, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
Xiaoyong Wang
Affiliation:
School of Geographic and Oceanographic Sciences, Institute for Climate and Global Change Research, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
X.F. Sun
Affiliation:
School of Geographic and Oceanographic Sciences, Institute for Climate and Global Change Research, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
S.W. Yi
Affiliation:
School of Geographic and Oceanographic Sciences, Institute for Climate and Global Change Research, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
Y.L. Zhou
Affiliation:
School of Geographic and Oceanographic Sciences, Institute for Climate and Global Change Research, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China College of Tourism and Environment, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710062, China
Q.Y. Liu
Affiliation:
School of Geographic and Oceanographic Sciences, Institute for Climate and Global Change Research, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China Department of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Ankang College, Ankang 725000, China
J. Swinehart
Affiliation:
School of Geographic and Oceanographic Sciences, Institute for Climate and Global Change Research, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China School of Natural Resources, IANR, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
J. Vandenberghe
Affiliation:
School of Geographic and Oceanographic Sciences, Institute for Climate and Global Change Research, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

Reconstruction of a complete Quaternary record of climatic changes in the northeastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau is not well obtained, because of high relief and extensive surface erosion. In this study, two long cores obtained from thick loess deposits in the region, both contain clear alternations of loess and paleosols, indicating distinct climate changes during the Quaternary. The palaeomagnetic stratigraphy and optically stimulated luminescence dating indicate that the loess deposition began approximately 2.0 Ma ago, with continuous accumulation until the Holocene. Dust accumulation rates in this region are much higher than those in the central Chinese Loess Plateau, suggesting an extended dust source and/or robust transport agent. Variations of magnetic susceptibility of the loess are a good proxy index of warm/wet and cold/dry alternations and are correlated with the intensity of pedogensis. The magnetic susceptibility record reveals that a relatively cold/dry climate dominated the northeastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau in the Quaternary, punctuated by warm/wet phases. A stepwise strengthening of the plateau summer monsoon, with a significant strengthening at around 1200-1000 ka and at least 7 phases of strengthening of the plateau summer monsoon in the past 800 ka are interpreted from the core data. The cores provide evidence that strengthened warm/wet climates occurred at around 80-130, 190-250, 290-340, 385-420, 500-625, 690-720 and 755-780 ka, which may correlate to warm/wet phases in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. The palaeoclimate changes probably were regulated by the glacial-interglacial alternations.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Stichting Netherlands Journal of Geosciences 2012

References

An, Z.S., 2000. The history and variability of the East Asian paleomonsoon climate. Quaternary Science Reviews 19: 171187.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
An, Z.S., Kukla, G.J., Porter, S.C. & Xiao, J.L., 1991. Evidence of monsoon variation on the Loess Plateau of central China during the last 130,000 years, Quaternary Research 36: 2936.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Burbank, D.W. & Li, J.J., 1985. Age and palaeoclimatic significance of the loess of Lanzhou, north China. Nature 316: 429431.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources of Qinghai Province, 1991. Regional Geology of Qinghai Province, Geological Publishing Hourse, Beijing, 662 pp. (In Chinese)Google Scholar
Buylaert, J.P., Murray, A.S., Vandenberghe, D., Vriend, M., De Corte, F. & Van den haute, P., 2008. Optical dating of Chinese loess using sand-sized quartz: Establishing a time frame for Late Pleistocene climate changes in the western part of the Chinese Loess Plateau. Quaternary Geochronology 3: 99113.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cande, S.C. & Kent, D.V., 1995. Revised calibration of the geomagnetic polarity time scales for the late Cretaceous and Cenozoic. Journal of Geophysics Research 100, 60936095.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chen, F.B., Gao, S.H., Chen, J.L., Ge, T.M., Liang, C.Y., Pan, L.M. & Xu, H., 1990. A preliminary study on Ganzi loess magnetostratigraphy. Chinese Science Bulletin, 35 (20): 1600. (In Chinese)Google Scholar
Chen, M.X., 1947. Landform in central Gansu province. Geological Reviews 12, 545556. (In Chinese)Google Scholar
Chen, F.H., Wang, S.M., Li, J.J., Shi, Y.F., Li, S.J., Cao, J.X., Zhang, Y.T., Wang, Y.F. & Kelts, K., 1995a. Palaeomagnetic record from RH lacustrine core in Zoige basin of Tibetian Plateau. Science in China (B) 38(12), 15131521.Google Scholar
Chen, F.H., Wu, R.J., Pompei, D. & Oldfield, F., 1995b. Magnetic property and particle size variations in the late Pleistocene and Holocene parts of the Dadongling loess section near Xinning, China. Quaternary Proceedings 4: 2740.Google Scholar
Chen, J. & Li, G.J., 2011. Geochemical studies on the source region of Asian dust. Science in China Earth Science 54: 12791301.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Colman, S.M., Yu, S.Y., An, Z.S., Shen, J. & Henderson, A.C.G., 2007. Late Cenozoic climate changes in China's western interior: a review of research on Lake Qinghai and comparison with other records. Quaternary Science Reviews 26: 22812300.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ding, Z.L., Yu, Z.W., Rutter, N.W. & Liu, T.S., 1994. Towards an orbital time scale for Chinese loess deposits. Quaternary Science Review, 13(1): 3970.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fang, X.M., 1994. A preliminary investigation of formation and source of Malan loess deposit in the eastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and its adjacent region. Sciences in China (series B) 24(5): 539546. (In Chinese)Google Scholar
Fang, X.M., Chen, F.B., Shi, Y.F. & Li, J.J., 1996. Ganzi loess and maximum glaciation on the Qinghai-Xizang (Tibetan) Plateau. Chinese Science Bulletin 41 (20): 18651867.Google Scholar
Guo, Z.T., Liu, T.S.Fedoroff, N., Wei, L.Y., Ding, Z.L., Wu, N.Q., Lu, H.Y., Jiang, W.Y. & An, Z.S., 1998. Climate Extremes in Loess of China Coupled with the Strength of Deep-Water Formation in the North Atlantic. Global and Planetary Change 18: 113128.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Guo, Z.T., Berger, A., Yin, Q.Z. & Qin, L., 2009. Strong asymmetry of hemispheric climates during MIS-13 inferred from correlating China loess and Antarctica ice records. Climate of the Past 5: 2131.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hough, B.G., 2011. The evolution of the northeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau: Stratigraphy, Paleoclimate, and Tectonics. Ph.D. dissertation, University of Rochester, 2011, AAT 3442799, 224 pp.Google Scholar
Jahn, B., Gallet, S. & Han, J., 2001. Geochemistry of the Xining, Xifeng and Jixian sections, Loess Plateau of China: eolian dust provenance and paleosol evolution during the last 140 ka. Chemical Geology 178: 7194.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kemp, R.A., Derbyshire, E., Chen, F.H. & Ma, H.Z., 1996. Pedosedimentary development and palaeoenvironmental significance of the S1 palaeosol on the northeastern margin of Qinghai-Xizang (Tibetan) Plateau. Journal of Quaternary Science 11: 95106.3.0.CO;2-Q>CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kemp, R.A., Derbyshire, & E., , Meng, X.M., 2001. A high-resolution micromorphological record of changing landscapes and climate on the western Loess Plateau of China during oxygen isotope stage 5. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 170: 157169.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kirschvink, J.L., 1980. The least-squares line and plane and the analysis of palaeomagnetic data. Geophysical Journal ofthe Royal Astronomical Society 62: 699718.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kukla, G., 1987. Loess stratigraphy in central China. Quaternary Science Reviews 6, 191207.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Küster, Y., Hetzel, R., Krbetschek, M. & Tao, M.X., 2006. Holocene loess sedimentation along the Qilian Shan (China): significance for understanding the processes and timing of loess deposition. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 25: 114125.Google Scholar
Lehmkuhl, F., 1997. The spatial distribution of loess and loess-like sediments in the mountain areas of Central and High Asia, Zeitschrift für Geomorphologie, Supplementband 111: 97116.Google Scholar
Lehmkuhl, F., Klinge, M., Rees-Jones, J. & Rhodes, E.J., 2003. Late Quaternary eolian sedimentation in central and south-eastern Tibet. Quaternary International 68/71: 117132.Google Scholar
Li, Z.Zeng, Y.N. & Shan, W.D., 1991. Distribution and features of loess deposit in northeastern Qinghai province. Journal of Qinghai Normal University (natural science) 4: 5156. (In Chinese)Google Scholar
Li, Z. and Nie, S.R., 1999. Loess deposit at Xining and its provenance. Journal of Earth Sciences 24(6): 13. (In Chinese)Google Scholar
Liu, Q.S., Deng, C.L., Torrent, J., & Zhu, R.X., 2007. Review of recent developments in mineral magnetism of the Chinese loess. Quaternary Science Reviews 26: 368383.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Liu, T.S., 1985. Loess and environment, China Ocean Press (Beijing): 3167.Google Scholar
Liu, T. & Ding, Z., 1998. Chinese loess and the palaeomonsoon. Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Science 26: 111145.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lu, H.Y., Liu, X.D., Zhang, F.Q., An, Z.S. & Dodson, J., 1999. Astronomical calibration of loess-paleosol deposits at Luochuan, central Chinese Loess Plateau. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 154: 237246.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lu, H.Y., Ma, H.Z., Tan, H.B., Li, Z., Miao, X.D., An, Z.S., Wang, X.Y., Cao, G.C. & Vandenberghe, J., 2001. The Plateau Monsoon changes during the past 130 kyr revealed by loess deposit at Xining. Quaternary Sciences 21(5): 416426. (In Chinese)Google Scholar
Lu, H.Y., Zhang, F.Q., Liu, X.D. & Duce, R., 2004a. Periodicities of palaeoclimatic variations recorded by loess-paleosol sequence in China. Quaternary Science Reviews 23: 18911900.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lu, H.Y., Wang, X.Y., An, Z.S., Miao, X.D., Zhu, R.X., Ma, H.Z., Li, Z., Tan, H.B. & Wang, X.Y., 2004b. Geomorphologic evidence of phased uplift of the northeastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau since 14 million years ago. Science in China (Series D) 47(9): 822833.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lu, H.Y., Wang, X.Y., Ma, H.Z., Tan, H.B., Vandenberghe, J., Miao, X.D., Li, Z., Sun, Y.B., An, Z.S. & Cao, G.C., 2004c. The Plateau Monsoon Variation during the Past 130 kyr Revealed by Loess Deposit at Northeast Qinghai-Tibet (China). Global and Planetary Change 41: 207214.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lu, H.Y., Vandenberghe, J., Miao, X.D., Tan, H.B. & Ma, H.Z., 2006. Evidence for an abrupt climatic reversal during the Last Interglacial on the northeast Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Quaternary International 154–155: 136140.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lu, H.Y., Wang Xianyan, Sun X.F., Xiaoyong, Wang, Yi, S.W., Zhou, Y.L. & Liu, Q.Y., 2007. Loess stratigraphy and palaeoclimate changes during Quaternary in northeastern Tibetan Plateau. Quaternary Sciences 27(2): 230241. (In Chinese)Google Scholar
Lu, H.Y., Wang, X.Y. & Li, L.P., 2010. Aeolian sediment evidence that global cooling has driven late Cenozoic stepwise aridification in central Asia. In: Clift, P.D., Tada, R. & Zheng, H. (eds): Monsoon Evolution and Tectonics – Climate Linkage in Asia. Geological Society, London, Special Publications 342: 2944.Google Scholar
Madsen, D.B., Ma, H.Z., Rhode, D, Brantingham, P.J. & Forman, S.L., 2008. Age constraints on the late Quaternary evolution of Qinghai Lake, Tibetan Plateau. Quaternary Research 69: 316325.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Maher, B.A. & Thompson, R., 1992, Paleoclimatic significance of the mineral magnetic record of the Chinese loess and paleosols. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 121: 7180.Google Scholar
Porter, S.C., 2001. Chinese loess record of monsoon climate during the Last Glacial-interglacial cycle. Earth-Science Reviews 54: 115128.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ravelo, A.C., Andreasen, D.H., Lyle, M., Lyle, A.O. & Wara, M.W., 2004. Regional climate shifts caused by gradual global cooling in the Pliocene epoch. Nature 429: 263267.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Rolph, T.C., Shaw, J., Derbyshire, E. & Wang, J., 1989. A detailed geomagnetic record from Chinese loess. Physics of Earth and Planetary Interiors 56: 151164.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Stevens, T., Thomas, D.S.G., Armitage, S.J., Lunn, H.R. & Lu, H.Y., 2007. Reinterpreting climate proxy records from late Quaternary Chinese loess: A detailed OSL investigation. Earth-Science Reviews 80: 111136, doi: 10.1016/ j.earscirev.2006.09.001.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Shen, J., Lu, H.Y., Wang, S.M., Chen, S.Y., Yang, X.D., Wu, Y.H. & Zhu, Z.Y., 2004. A 2.8 Ma record of environmental evolution and tectonic events inferred from the Cuoe core in the middle of Tibetan Plateau. Science in China, series D, 47 (11): 10251034.Google Scholar
Tang, M.C., 1993. Progress of the study on the Plateau Monsoon. Plateau Meteorology 12: 95101. (In Chinese)Google Scholar
Tapponnier, P., Xu, Z.Q., Roger, F., Meyer, B., Arnaud, N., Wittlinger, G. & Yang, J., 2001. Oblique stepwise rise and growth of the Tibet Plateau. Science 294: 16711677.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Vandenberghe, J., Renssen, H., Van Huissteden, K., Nugteren, G., Konert, M., Lu, H., Dodonov, A. & Buylaert, J.-P., 2006. Penetration of Atlantic westerly winds into Central and East Asia. Quaternary Science Reviews 25: 23802389.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Vriend, M., Prins, M.A., Buylaert, J.P., Vandenberghe, J. & Lu, H.Y., 2011. Contrasting dust supply patterns across the north-western Chinese Loess Plateau during the last glacial-interglacial cycle. Quaternary International 240: 167180.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wang, J., Derbyshire, E. & Shaw, J., 1986. Preliminary magnetostratigraphy of Dabuxun Lake, Qaidam Basin, central Asia. Phys. Earth Planet. Inter. 44: 4146.Google Scholar
Wang, Xianyan, Lu, H.Y., Ji, J.F., Wang, X.Y., Zhao, J.B., Huang, B.C. & Li, Z., 2006. Origin of the Red Earth sequence on the northeastern Tibetan Plateau and its implications for regional aridity since the middle Miocene. Science in China Series D-Earth Sciences 49(5): 505517.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wang, Xianyan, Lu, H.Y., Vandenberghe, J., Zheng, S.H., Van Balen, R., 2012. Late Miocene uplift of the NE Tibetan Plateau inferred from basin filling, planation and fluvial terraces in the Huang Shui catchment. Global and Planetary Change 88–89: 1019.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wang, Xiaoyong, Lu, H.Y., Li, Z., Deng, C.L., Tan, H.B. & Song, Y.G., 2003. Palaeo-climatic implication of the magnetic minerals of loess deposits in the northeastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Chinese Science Bulletin 48: 21262133.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wang, Xiaoyong, Lu, H.Y., Xu, H.F., Deng, C.L., Chen, T.H. & Wang, X.Y., 2006. Magnetic properties of Late Pleistocene loess deposits at northeastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau: palaeoclimatic implications. Geophysical Journal International 167: 11381147.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Zachos, J.C., Pagani, M., Sloan, L.Thomas, E. & Billups, K., 2001. Trends, rhythms, and aberrations in global climate 65 Ma to present. Science 292: 686693.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Zeng, Y.N., Ma, H.Z.Li, Z., Li, L.Q., 1995. Formation and development of Huangshui River terraces in the Xining region. Scientia Geographica Sinica 15: 253258. (In Chinese)Google Scholar
Zhang, H.Y., Lu, H.Y., Jiang, S.Y., Vandenberghe, J., Wang, S.J. & Cosgrove, R., 2012. Provenance of loess deposits in the Eastern Qinling Mountains (central China) and their implications for the paleoenvironment. Quaternary Science Reviews 43: 94102.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Zhou, L.P., Oldfield, F., Wintle, A.G., Robinson, S.G. & Wang, J.T., 1990. Partly pedogenic origin of magnetic variations in Chinese loess. Nature 346: 737739.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Zhu, R.X., Zhou, L.P., Laj, C., Mazaud, A. & Ding, Z.L., 1994. The Blake geomagnetic polarity episode recorded in Chinese loess. Geophysical Research Letters 21: 697700.CrossRefGoogle Scholar