Magnetic and geochemical characteristics of Gobi Desert surface sediments: Implications for provenance of the Chinese Loess Plateau

Abstract

Research Article| March 01, 2009 Magnetic and geochemical characteristics of Gobi Desert surface sediments: Implications for provenance of the Chinese Loess Plateau Barbara A. Maher; Barbara A. Maher * 11Centre for Environmental Magnetism and Palaeomagnetism, Lancaster Environment Centre, University of Lancaster, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, UK *E-mail: [e-mail]. Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Thomas J. Mutch; Thomas J. Mutch 11Centre for Environmental Magnetism and Palaeomagnetism, Lancaster Environment Centre, University of Lancaster, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, UK Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Dickson Cunningham Dickson Cunningham 22Department of Geology, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Barbara A. Maher * 11Centre for Environmental Magnetism and Palaeomagnetism, Lancaster Environment Centre, University of Lancaster, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, UK Thomas J. Mutch 11Centre for Environmental Magnetism and Palaeomagnetism, Lancaster Environment Centre, University of Lancaster, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, UK Dickson Cunningham 22Department of Geology, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK *E-mail: [e-mail]. Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 25 Jun 2008 Revision Received: 03 Nov 2008 Accepted: 06 Nov 2008 First Online: 02 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 © 2009 Geological Society of America Geology (2009) 37 (3): 279–282. https://doi.org/10.1130/G25293A.1 Article history Received: 25 Jun 2008 Revision Received: 03 Nov 2008 Accepted: 06 Nov 2008 First Online: 02 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation Barbara A. Maher, Thomas J. Mutch, Dickson Cunningham; Magnetic and geochemical characteristics of Gobi Desert surface sediments: Implications for provenance of the Chinese Loess Plateau. Geology 2009;; 37 (3): 279–282. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G25293A.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Controversy exists regarding the sources of the eolian dust for the immense Loess Plateau of north-central China, the largest accumulation of windblown loess in the world. Because the loess accumulation rate, unit thickness, and particle size all decrease from northwest to southeast, it has long been thought that the northern deserts, especially the Mongolian Gobi, are the major loess source, a view supported by newly applied mineralogical provenance techniques (electron spin resonance, ESR). Here, we examine surface samples from the Gobi Desert and compare their magnetic and geochemical properties with those of last glacial loess samples from across the Loess Plateau region. The mineralogy, geochemistry, and magnetic properties of Gobi Desert samples are variable (most likely reflecting local lithological complexity), distinctive, and, critically, nonoverlapping with the notably homogenous characteristics of the last glacial loesses spanning the Loess Plateau. It is likely that the source areas for the plateau encompass a much larger area than any one proximal desert region, in order to account for (1) the extreme degree of mixing, (2) the volume of loess generated and transported, and (3) the mineralogical and magnetic mismatch evident here between the Mongolian Gobi samples and the last glacial loess. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.