Skip to main content
Log in

Tracing the provenance of aeolian loess in the Yangtze River Delta through zircon U–Pb age and geochemical investigations

  • Published:
Journal of Mountain Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Given the conflicts over the proposed formation mechanisms of Xiashu loess, the question of the provenance of sediments comprising the Xiashu loess in the Yangtze River Delta has not been satisfactorily resolved. In this study, the provenance of aeolian sediments of the Yangtze River Delta, China was examined by applying the detrial zircon U–Pb dating technique, Sr–Nd isotopic and trace element compositional analysis. U-Pb dating analysis was conducted on the Xiashu loess at three locations over the Yangtze River Delta, including Huangnishan (HNS) hill, Shengshan (SS) island and the Xuancheng (XC) area. The Xiashu loess and the sediments of the Yangtze River Valley share considerable similarity in their zircon U-Pb age spectra with the same main age peak and comparable age distribution. By contrast, significant differences in the age spectra, exist between the Xiashu loess and loess deposits of Chinese Loess Plateau (CLP). Coarse grains of the Yangtze River Delta loess may have a proximal material source identical to the sediments from the Yangtze River valley. Sr–Nd isotopic values of the Xiashu loess match those from the northern margin of the Tibetan Plateau. Rare earth element ratios independent of grain size illustrate that the values from loess of the Yangtze River Delta mostly overlap with those of CLP loess. This feature implies that loess from the Yangtze River Delta has a dominant source of distant material similar as the CLP loess. As such, we conclude that multi-proxy analysis of sediments can shed new light on tracing the provenance of aeolian loess in the Yangtze River Delta.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Andersen T (2014) The detrital zircon record: Supercontinents, parallel evolution–or coincidence? Precambrian Research 244: 279–287. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.precamres.2013.10.013

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bird A, Stevens T, Rittner M, et al. (2015) Quaternary dust source variation across the Chinese Loess Plateau. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 435: 254–264. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2015.06.024

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Che XD, Li GJ (2013) Binary sources of loess on the Chinese Loess Plateau revealed by U-Pb ages of zircon. Quaternary Research 80: 545–551. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yqres.2013.05.007

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen J, Wang HT, Lu HY (1996) Behaviors of REE and other trace elements during pedological weathering: Evidence from chemical leaching of loess and paleosol from the Luochuan section in Central China. Acta Geologica Sinica 9 (3): 209–302.https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1755-6724.1996.mp9003006.x

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen J, Li GJ, Yang JDet al. (2007) Nd and Sr isotopic characteristics of Chinese deserts: implications for the provenances of Asian dust. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 71 (15): 3904–3914.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2007.04.033

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cullers RL, Barrett T, Carlson R, et al. (1987) REE and mineralogic changes in Holocene soil and stream sediment: A case study in the Wet Mountains, Colorado, U.S.A.. Chemical Geology 63 (3): 275–297. https://doi.org/10.1016/0009-2541(87)90167-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fan DD, Wang YY, Wu YJ (2012) Advances in provenance studies of Changjiang Riverine sediments. Advances in Earth Science 27 (5): 515–528. (In Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferrat M, Weiss DJ, Strekopytov S, et al. (2011) Improved provenance tracing of Asian dust sources using rare earth elements and selected trace elements for palaeomonsoon studies on the eastern Tibetan Plateau. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 75: 6374–6399. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2011.08.025

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Formenti P, Schutz L, Balkanski Y, et al. (2011) Recent progress in understanding physical and chemical properties of African and Asian mineral dust. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics 11: 8231–8256. https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-11-8231-2011

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gallet S, Jahn BM, Torii M (1996) Geochemical characterization of the Luochuan loess-paleosol sequence, China, and paleoclimatic implications. Chemical Geology 133: 67–88. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0009-2541(96)00070-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gallet S, Jahn BM, Lanoe BVV, et al. (1998) Loess geochemistry and its implications for particle origin and composition of upper continental crust. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 156: 157–172. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0012-821X(97)00218-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gi YJ, Stephen H, Rob AK (2008) Quantitative bulk and singleparticle mineralogy of a thick Chinese loess-paleosol section: implications for loess provenance and weathering. Quaternary Science Reviews 27: 1271–1287. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2008.02.006

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grousset FE, Biscaye PE (2005) Tracing dust sources and transport patterns using Sr, Nd and Pb isotopes. Chemical Geology 222: 149–167. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemgeo.2005.05.006

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guan HC, Zhu C, Zhu TX, et al. (2016) Grain size, magnetic susceptibility and geochemical characteristics of the loess in the Chaohu lake basin: Implications for the origin, palaeoclimatic change and provenance. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 117: 170–183. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jseaes.2015.12.013

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hao QZ, Guo ZT, Qiao YS, et al. (2010) Geochemical evidence for the provenance of middle Pleistocence loess deposits in southern China. Quaternary Science Reviews 29: 3317–3326. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2010.08.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huang JH, Fang JH, Shao JJ (1988) Study on the depositional age of the Xiashu loess in Nanjing. Geological Review 34 (3): 240–247. (In Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Jacobsen SB, Wasserburg GJ (1980) Sm-Nd isotopic evolution of chondrites. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 50: 139. https://doi.org/10.1016/0012-821X (80)90125-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jahn BM, Gallet S, Han JM (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 (1-4): 71–94. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0009-2541 (00)00430-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lai ZP, Zhou J, Xia YF, et al. (2001) Luminescence geochronology of Xiashu Loess near Nanjing. Progress in Natural Science 21 (2): 116–121. (In Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lai ZP, Zhang WG, Chen X, et al. (2010) OSL chronology of loess deposits in East China and its implications for East Asian monsoon history. Quaternary Geochronology 5: 154–158. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quageo.2009.02.006

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li FC, Xie CR, Pan GX (2002) Paleoclimatic implication of distribution of Rb, Rb/Sr and magnetic susceptibility in loess and paleosols from Laohushan profile, Nanjing. Marine Geology & Quaternary Geology 22 (4): 47–52. (In Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Li FC, Pan GX, Xie CR (2004) REE geochemical distributions of different grain-size fractions in Xiashu loess-paleosol profile, Nanjing. Quaternary Science 24 (4): 477–478. (In Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Li FC, Jin ZD, Xie CR (2007) Roles of sorting and chemical weathering in the geochemistry and magnetic susceptibility of Xiashu loess, East China. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences 29: 813–822. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jseaes.2005.05.011

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li XS, Yang DY (2002) Magnetic susceptibility features and environmental records of the Xiashu loess in Zhengjiang, Jiangshu province. Journal of Desert Research 22 (1): 27–32. (In Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Li XS., Han ZY, Yang DY, et al. (2006) REE geochemistry of Xiashu loess in Zhengjiang, Jiangsu province. Acta Pedologiea Sini 43 (1): 1–7. (In Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Li XS, Yang DY, Lu HY (2001) Grain size features and genesis of the Xiashu Loess in Zhenjiang. Marine Geology & Quaternary Geology 21 (1): 25–32. (In Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu F, Li GJ, Chen J (2014) U-Pb ages of zircon grains reveal a proximal dust source of the Xiashu loess, Lower Yangtze River region, China. Chinese Science Bulletin 59 (20): 2391–2395. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11434-014-0318-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu SM, Zhang WG, He Q, et al. (2010) Magnetic properties of East China Sea shelf sediments off the Yangtze Estuary: Influence of provenance and particle size. Geomorphology 119 (3-4): 212–220. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2010.03.027

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu TS (1985) Loess and Environment. Beijing: Science Press. pp 1–412. (In Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu YS, Hu ZC, Gao S, et al. (2008) In situ analysis of major and trace elements of anhydrous minerals by LA-ICP-MS without applying an internal standard. Chemical Geology 257: 34–43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemgeo.2008.08.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu YS, Gao S, Hu ZC, et al. (2010a) Continental and oceanic crust recycling-induced melt-peridotite interactions in the Trans-North China Orogen: U-Pb dating, Hf isotopes and trace elements in zircons of mantle xenoliths. Journal Petroleum Technology 51: 537–571. https://doi.org/10.1093/petrology/egp082

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu YS, Hu ZC, Zong K, et al. (2010b) Reappraisement and refinement of zircon U-Pb isotope and trace element analyses by LA-ICP-MS. Chinese Science Bulletin 55 (15): 1535–1546. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11434-010-3052-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ma L, Sun YB, Ryuji T, et al. (2015) Provenance fluctuations of aeolian deposits on the Chinese Loess Plateau since the Miocene. Aeolian Research 18: 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. aeolia.2015.05.002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marković SB, Stevens T, Kukla GJ, et al. (2015) Danube loess stratigraphy - Towards a pan-European loess stratigraphic model. Earth-Science Reviews 148: 228–258. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2015.06.005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nagashima K, Tada R, Matsui H, et al. (2007) Orbital- and millennial-scal variations in Asian dust transport path to the Japan Sea. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 247 (1-2): 144–161. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. palaeo.2006.11.027

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nesbitt H (1979) Mobility and fraction of REE during weathering of a granodiorite. Nature 279: 206–210. https://doi.org/10.1038/279206a0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nie JS, Horton BK, Saylor JE, et al. (2012) Integrated provenance analysis of a convergent retroarc foreland system: U–Pb ages, heavy minerals, Nd isotopes, and sandstone compositions of the Middle Magdalena Valley basin, northern Andes, Colombia. Earth Science Reviews 110 (1-4): 111–126. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2011.11.002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nie JS, Peng, WB., Moller, A, et al. (2014) Provenance of the upper Miocene-Pliocene Red Clay deposits of the Chinese loess plateau. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 407: 35–47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2014.09.026

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nie JS, Stevens T, Rittner M, et al. (2015) Loess plateau storage of Northeastern Tibetan Plateau-derived Yellow River sediment. Nature. https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms9511

    Google Scholar 

  • Pullen A, Kapp P, McCallister AT, et al. (2011) Qaidam Basin and northern Tibetan Plateau as dust sources for the Chinese Loess Plateau and paleoclimatic implications. Geology 39: 1031–1034. https://doi.org/10.1130/G32296.1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Qian P, Zheng XM, Wang XY, et al. (2010) Particle sizes, magnetic properties and origins of loess deposits from huangnishan hill in Nantong, Jiangsu Province. Marine Geology & Quaternary Geology 30 (1): 109–114. (In Chinese)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Qiao YS, Hao QZ, Peng SS, et al. (2011) Geochemical characteristics of the eolian deposits in southern China, and their implications for provenance and weathering intensity. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 308: 513–523. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2011.06.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rao WB, Chen J, Tan HB, et al. (2014) Nd-Sr isotopic and REE geochemical compositions of Late Quaternary deposits in the desert-loess transition, north-central China: Implications for their provenance and past wind systms. Quaternary International 3334-35: 197–212. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2013.06.009

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stevens T, Palk C, Carter A, et al. (2010) Assessing the provenance of loess and desert sediments in northern China using U-Pb dating and morphology of detrital zircons. Geological Society of America Bulletin 122: 1331–1344. https://doi.org/10.1130/B30102.1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sun YB, Tada R, Chen J, et al. (2007) Distinguishing the sources of Asian dust based on electron spin resonance signal intensity and crystallinity of quartz. Atmospheric Environment 41: 8537–8548. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. atmosenv.2007.07.014

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sun YB, Chen HY, Tada R, et al. (2013) ESR signal intensity and crystallinity of quartz from Gobi and sandy deserts in East Asia and implication for tracing Asian dust provenance. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems 14. https: //doi.org/10.1002/ggge.20162

    Google Scholar 

  • Taylor S, McLennan S (1985) The continental crust: Its composition and evolution. Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford. pp 1–312. https://doi.org/10.1086/629067

    Google Scholar 

  • Toyoda S, Nagashima K, Yamamoto Y (2015) ESR signals in quartz: Applications to provenance research- A review. Quaternary International https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2015.05.048

    Google Scholar 

  • Ujvari G, Varga A, Ramos F, et al. (2012) Evaluating the use of clay mineralogy, Sr-Nd isotopes and ziron U-Pb ages in tracking dust provenance: An example from loess of the Carpathian Basin. Chemical Geology 304: 83–96. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemgeo.2012.02.007

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vavra G, Gebauer D, Schmid R (1996) Multiple zircon growth and recrystallization during plyphase Late Carboniferous to Triassic metamorphism in granulites of the Ivrea Zone (Southern Alps): An ion microprobe (SHRIMP) study. Contrib Mineral Petrol 122: 337–358. https://doi.org/10.1007/s004100050132

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vermeesch P (2012) On the visualisation of detrital age distributions. Chemical Geology 312-313: 190–194. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemgeo.2012.04.021

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang AP, Yang SY, Li CX (2001) Elemental Geochemistry of the Nanjing Xiashu Loess and the Provenance study. Journal of Tongji University 29 (6): 654–661. (In Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang YX, Yang JD, Chen J et al. (2007) The Sr and Nd isotopic variations of the Chinese Loess Plateau during the past 7 Ma Implications for the East Asian winter monsoon and source areas of loess. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 249: 351–361. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo. 2007.02.010

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu CL, Zhu C, Lu HY, et al. (2006) Magnetostratigraphical dating of the Xiashu loess in Nanjing area and its paleoenvironmental interpretation. Journal of Stratigraphy, 30 (2): 116–123. (In Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Xiao GQ, Zong KQ, Li GJ, et al. (2012) Spatial and glacialinterglacial variations in provenance of the Chinese Loess Plateau. Geophysical Research Letters 39: L20715. https://doi.org/10.1029/2012GL05334 (In Chinese)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xie J, Yang SL, Ding ZL (2012) Methods and application of using detrital zircons to trace the provenance of loess. Science China (Earth Sciences) 55 (11): 1837–1846. (In Chinese)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yan Y, Sun YB, Chen HY, et al. (2014) Oxyen isotope signatures of quartz from major Asian dust sources: Implications for changes in the provenance of Chinese loess. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 139: 399–410. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2014.04.043

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang DY (1994) The quaternary dust-fall accumulation and the monsoon variability in Eastern China. Quaternary Sciences 4: 354–360. (In Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang JD, Chen J, Tao XC, et al. (2001) Sr isotope ratios of the acid-leached loess residues from Luochuan, China: a tracer of continental weathering intensity over the past 2.5 Ma. Geochemical Journal 35: 403–412. https://doi.org/10.2343/geochemj.35.403

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang R, Seward D, Zhou ZY (2010) Provenance study by U-Pb dating of the detrital zircons in the Yangtze River. Marine Geology & Quaternary Geology 30 (6): 73–83. (In Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang SY, Jiang SY, Ling HF, et al. (2007a) Sr-Nd isotopic compositions of the Changjiang sediments: Implications for tracing sediment sources. Science in China Series D: Earth Sciences 50 (10): 1556–1565. (In Chinese)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang SY, Li CX, Jung HS (2003) Further understanding of REE condition and tracing indices significance from the Yellw River sediments. Advance in Nature Science 13 (4): 365–371. (In Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang SY, Li CX, Yang DY (2004) Chemical weathering of the loess deposits in the lower Changjiang Valley, China, and paleoclimatic implications. Quaternary International 117: 27–34. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1040-6182(03)00113-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang XP, Liu YS, Li CZ (2007b) Rare Earth Elements of Aeolian Deposits in Northern China and Their Implications for Determining the Provenance of Dust Storms in Beijing. Geomorphology 87 (4): 365–377. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2006.10.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang XP, Zhang F, Fu XD, et al. (2008) Oxygen isotopic compositions of quartz in the sand seas and sandy lands of northern China and their implications for understanding the provenances of aeolian sands. Geomorphology 102: 278–285. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2008.05.007

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yokoo Y, Nakano T, Nishikawa M, et al. (2004) Mineralogical variation of Sr-Nd isotopic and elemental compositions in loess and desert sand from the central Loess Plateau in China as a provenance tracer of wet and dry deposition in the northwestern Pacific. Chemical Geology 204: 45–62. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemgeo.2003.11.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yu H (1999) A new exploration on the origin of loess in the shelf aria of the Eastern China Seas. Quaternary Sciences (4): 366–372. (In Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang HY, Lu HY, Jiang SY (2012) Vandenberghe Jef, Wang Shejiang, Cosgrove Richard. Provenance of loess deposits in the Eastern Qinling Mountains (central China) and their implications for the paleoenvironment. Quaternary Science Reviews 43: 94–102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2012.04.010

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang HZ, Lu HY, Xu XS (2016) Quantitative estimation of the contribution of dust sources to Chinese loess using detrital zircon U-Pb age patterns. Journal of Geophysical Research - Earth Surface 121: 2085–2099. https://doi.org/10.1002/2016JF003936

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Q, Zhu C, Jiang T, et al. (2005) Mid-Pleistocene environmental reconstruction based on Xiashu loess deposits in the Yangtze River Delta in China. Quaternary International 35: 131–137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2004.10.028

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang WG, Yu LZ, Lu M (2007) Magnetic properties and geochemistry of the Xiashu Loess in the present subtropical area of China, and their implications for pedogenic intensity. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 260: 86–97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2007.05.018

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zheng HB, Clift PD, Wang P, et al. (2013) Pre-Miocene birth of the Yangtze River. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 110: 7556–7561. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1216241110

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zheng LP, Hu XF, Fang XM (2002) A review of the study on the origin of Xiashu loess in the Middle and lower reaches of Yangtze River. Bulletin of Mineralogy, Petrology and Geochemistry 21 (1): 54–5 https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1007-2802.2002.01.012 (In Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zheng XM, Yan QS (1995) Aeolian loess deposition during the last glacial period in the northern Jiangsu Plian of the Yangtze Dleta and western areas of the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea. Quaternary Sciences 3: 258–266. (In Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zheng XM (1999) Aeolian deposit and environment in Yangtze River Delta and East China Sea area. Shanghai: East China Normal University Press. pp 1–174. (In Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 41371032, 41671003, 41601189, 41672349). Thanks are also extend to Prof. YANG Shou-ye, DENG Kai and ZHANG Wen-fang for providing constructive suggestions.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Xiang-min Zheng.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Qian, P., Zheng, Xm., Cheng, J. et al. Tracing the provenance of aeolian loess in the Yangtze River Delta through zircon U–Pb age and geochemical investigations. J. Mt. Sci. 15, 708–721 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11629-017-4437-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11629-017-4437-5

Keywords

Navigation