Abstract
Identifying geochemical characteristics of aeolian sands on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) is essential for understanding the relationship between earth surface processes and paleoclimatic fluctuations in the region. Here, we present new geochemical data which provides insight to the sedimentary environment of aeolian sands in the Dinggye region, southern Tibet. We sampled aeolian dune sands in a variety of settings, and determined grain size and concentration of major oxides and trace elements in the fine and coarse fractions. Results show that aeolian sediments are dominated by fine and medium sands, with a single-peaked frequency curve and a 3-stage probability cumulative curve. The fine and coarse fractions exhibit considerable heterogeneity in elemental concentrations and ratios and upper continental crust-normalized (UCC) distribution. The geochemical evidence indicates that wind dynamic sorting is responsible for the differentiation between fine and coarse fractions in different types of aeolian sand, rather than sediment provenance. Additionally, fine-fraction sediments are well dispersed and can be differentiated from the coarse fraction, suggesting that they contain more environmental information. Multidimensional scale (MDS) and principal component analysis (PCA) of commonly used tracer elements show that flood plain sediments are the sand source for mobile dunes and nebkhas, and lakeshore sediments are the sand source for climbing sand sheets.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Amorosi Amorosi A, Centineo MC, Dinelli E, et al. (2002) Geochemical and mineralogical variations as indicators of provenance changes in Late Quaternary deposits of SE Po Plain. Sediment Geol 151(3–4): 273–292. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0037-0738(01)00261-5
An FY, Ma HZ, Wei HC, et al. (2012) Distinguishing aeolian signature from lacustrine sediments of the Qaidam Basin in northeastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and its palaeoclimatic implications. Aeolian Res 4: 17–30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2007.04.010
Buggle B, Glaser B, Zöller L, et al. (2008) Geochemical characterization and origin of southeastern and eastern European loesses (Serbia, Romania, Ukraine). Quaternary Sci Rev 27(9–10): 1058–1075. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2008.01.018
Campodonico VA, Rouzaut S, Pasquini AI. (2019) Geochemistry of a Late Quaternary loess-paleosol sequence in central Argentina: Implications for weathering, sedimentary recycling and provenance. Geoderma 351: 235–249. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2019.04.024
Castillo S, Moreno T, Querol X, et al. (2008) Trace element variation in size-fractionated African desert dusts. J Arid Environ 72(6): 1034–1045. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2007.12.007
Chen G, Dong Z, Li C, et al. (2021) Provenance of Aeolian Sediments in the Ordos Deserts and Its Implication for Weathering, Sedimentary Processes. Front Earth Sc-Switz 9: 544. https://doi.org/10.3389/FEART.2021.711802
Chen J, Li GJ (2011) Geochemical studies on the source region of Asian dust. Sci. China-Earth Sci 54(9): 1279–1301. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-011-4269-z
Ding J, Wu Y, Tan L, et al. (2021) Trace and rare earth element evidence for the provenances of aeolian sands in the Mu Us Desert, NW China. Aeolian Res 50: 100683. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.AEOLIA.2021.100683.
Ding ZL, Sun JM, Yang SL, et al. (2001) Geochemistry of the Pliocene red clay formation in the Chinese Loess Plateau and implications for its origin, source provenance and paleoclimate change. Geochim Cosmochim Ac 65(6): 901–913. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0016-7037(00)00571-8
Dong Z, Hu G, Qian G, et al. (2017) High-altitude aeolian research on the Tibetan Plateau. Rev Geophys 55(4): 864–901. https://doi.org/10.1002/2017RG000585
Du S, Wu Y, Tan L, et al. (2018a) Geochemical characteristics of fine and coarse fractions of sediments in the Yarlung Zangbo River Basin (southern Tibet, China). Environ Earth Sci 77(9): 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-018-7468-5
Du S, Wu Y, Tan L (2018b) Geochemical evidence for the provenance of aeolian deposits in the Qaidam Basin, Tibetan Plateau. Aeolian Res 32: 60–70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aeolia.2018.01.005
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 Ac 75(21): 6374–6399. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2011.08.025
Folk RL, Ward WC (1957) Brazos river bar: a study in the significance of grain size parameter. J Sediment Res 27(1):3–26. https://doi.org/10.1306/74D70646-2B21-11D7-8648000102C1865D
Grousset FE, Biscaye PE (2005) Tracing dust sources and transport patterns using Sr, Nd and Pb isotopes. Chem Geol 222(3–4): 149–167. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemgeo.2005.05.006
Guo ZT, Ruddiman WF, Hao QZ, et al. (2002) Onset of Asian desertification by 22 Myr ago inferred from loess deposits in China. Nature 416(6877): 159–163. https://doi.org/10.1038/416159a
Hou LY, Shen XJ, Gong WY, et al. (2020) Characterizing seismogenic fault of 2016 Dingjie earthquake based on multitemporal DInSAR. Chinese Journal of Geophysics 63(4): 1357–1369. https://doi.org/CNKI:SUN:DQWX.0.2020-04-010 (In Chinese)
Hu F, Yang X (2016) Geochemical and geomorphological evidence for the provenance of aeolian deposits in the Badain Jaran Desert, northwestern China. Quat Sci Rev 131: 179–192. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2015.10.039
Jia W (1964) Soil geography of the Yarlung River basin, Dinggye Basin, Tibet. Chin J Soil Sci (02): 20–24. https://doi.org/10.19336/j.cnki.trtb.1964.02.005 (In Chinese)
Kaiser K, Lai Z, Schneider B, et al. (2009) Stratigraphy and palaeoenvironmental implications of pleistocene and holocene aeolian sediments in the lhasa area, southern Tibet (China). Palaeogeogr Palaeocl 271(3–4): 329–342. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2008.11.004
Kruskal JB (1964) Multidimensional scaling by optimizing goodness of fit to a nonmetric hypothesis. Psychometrika 29(1): 1–27. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02289565
Lancaster N (1995) Geomorphology of Desert Dunes. Routledge, London, pp. 279.
Lang L, Wang X, Hasi E, et al. (2013) Nebkha (coppice dune) formation and significance to environmental change reconstructions in arid and semiarid areas. J Geogr Sci 23(2): 344–358. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11442-013-1014-x.
Lee SJ, Park KC, Park CW (2002) Wind tunnel observations about the shelter effect of porous fences on the sand particle movements. Atmos Environ 36(9): 1453–1463. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1352-2310(01)00578-7
Li J, Zhao Y, Liu H, et al. (2016) Sandy desertification cycles in the southwestern Mu Us Desert in China over the past 80 years recorded based on nebkha sediments. Aeolian Res 20: 100–107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aeolia.2015.12.003
Li Y, Song Y, Fitzsimmons KE, et al. (2020) Origin of loess deposits in the North Tian Shan piedmont, Central Asia. Palaeogeogr Palaeocl 559: 109972. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2020.109972
Liang A, Dong Z, Su Z, et al. (2020) Provenance and transport process for interdune sands in the Kumtagh Sand Sea, Northwest China. Geomorphology 367: 107310. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2020.107310
Ling Z, Li J, Jin J, et al. (2021) Geochemical characteristics and provenance of aeolian sediments in the Yarlung Tsangpo valley, Southern Tibetan Plateau. Environ Earth Sci 80(18): 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1007/S12665-021-09928-5
Liu B, Jin HL, Sun Z, et al. (2013) Holocene millennial-scale climate change revealed by wind-deposited trace elements in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau. J Palaeogeog 15(03): 423–433. https://doi.org/10.7605/gdlxb.2013.03.035
Liu Q, Yang X (2018) Geochemical composition and provenance of aeolian sands in the Ordos Deserts, northern China. Geomorphology 318: 354–374. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2018.06.017
Liu ZT, Yang XP (2013) Geochemical-geomorphological evidence for the provenance of Aeolian sands and sedimentary environments in the Hunshandake Sandy Land, Eastern Inner Mongolia, China. Acta Geol Sin-Engl 87: 871–884. https://doi.org/10.1111/1755-6724.12095
Lü P, Narteau C, Dong Z, et al. (2014) Emergence of oblique dunes in a landscape-scale experiment. Nat Geosci 7(2): 99–103. https://doi.org/10.1038/ngeo2047
Ma J, Pan M, Wu Y, et al. (2018) Geomorphological pattern and its change of aeolian landform in Dingjie area of Tibet from 1996 to 2016. Arid Land Geography 41(05): 1035–1042. https://doi.org/10.12118/j.issn.1000-6060.2018.05.16 (In Chinese)
McLennan SM (1993) Weathering and global denudation. J Geol 101: 295–303.
Muhs DR (2013) The geologic records of dust in the Quaternary. Aeolian Res 9: 3–48. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aeolia.2012.08.001
Nesbitt HW, Young GM (1982) Early Proterozoic climates and plate motions inferred from major element chemistry of lutites. Nature 299(21): 715–717. https://doi.org/10.1038/299715a0
Pan M, Hao Z, Qi Y, et al. (2021) Grain size characteristics of moving dune in different geomorphologicallocations in Pengqu Basin, Tibet, China. J Desert Res 41(06):138. https://doi.org/10.7522/j.issn.1000-694X.2021.00096 (in Chinese)
Pan M, Wu Y, Zheng Y, et al. (2014) Holocene aeolian activity in the Dinggye area (Southern Tibet, China). Aeolian Res 12: 19–27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aeolia.2013.10.005
Pan M, Xue W, Wu Y, et al. (2019) Grain size characteristics of the climbing dunes in Dinggye area of Tibet. Arid Land Geogr 42(06):1337–1345. https://doi.org/10.12118/j.issn.1000-6060.2019.06.12 (In Chinese)
Pötter S, Veres D, Baykal Y, et al. (2021) Disentangling Sedimentary Pathways for the Pleniglacial Lower Danube Loess Based on Geochemical Signatures. Front Earth Sc-Switz 150. https://doi.org/10.3389/FEART.2021.600010
Pye K (1987) Aeolian Dust and Dust Deposits. ISBN978-0-12-568690-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/C2013-0-05007-4
Qiang M, Chen F, Wang Z, et al. (2010) Aeolian deposits at the southeastern margin of the Tengger Desert (China): implications for surface wind strength in the Asian dust source area over the past 20,000 years. Palaeogeogr Palaeocl 286(1–2): 66–80. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.palaeo.2009.12.005
Qi L, Qiao Y, Yao H, et al. (2020) Geochemical characteristics of the eolian deposits in the Zoigê basin and their implications for provenance and weathering intensity. Quatern Int 552: 155–163. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2019.03.018
Rao W, Tan H, Jiang S, et al. (2011) Trace element and REE geochemistry of fine- and coarse-grained sands in the Ordos deserts and links with sediments in surrounding areas. Chemie der Erde 71(2): 155–170. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemer.2011.02.003
Saye SE, Pye K (2006) Variations in chemical composition and particle size of dune sediments along the west coast of Jutland, Denmark. Sediment Geol 183(3–4): 217–242. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sedgeo.2005.09.011
Stauch G (2015) Geomorphological and palaeoclimate dynamics recorded by the formation of aeolian archives on the Tibetan Plateau. Earth Sci Rev 150: 393–408. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2015.08.009
Taylor SR, McLennan SM (1985) The Continenal Crust: its composition and evolution. Boston, USA: Blackwell Scientific. https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9201(86)90093-2
Thomas DSG, Wiggs GFS (2008) Aeolian system responses to global change: challenges of scale, process and temporal integration. Earth Surf. Proc. Land. 33(09): 1396–1418. https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.1719
Újvári G, Varga A, Balogh-Brunstad Z (2008) Origin, weathering, and geochemical composition of loess in southwestern Hungary. Quaternary Res 69(03):421–437. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yqres.2008.02.001
Wang X, Hua T, Zhu B, et al. (2018) Geochemical characteristics of the fine-grained component of surficial deposits from dust source areas in northwestern China. Aeolian Res 34(1): 18–26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aeolia.2018.07.004
Wang L, Yang W, Cai H, et al. (2020) Geochemical characteristics of the primary halo geochemistry of the Shizui copper-iron deposit in Daye City and prediction of deep-seated mineralization. Resour Environ Eng (03): 324–329. https://doi.org/10.16536/j.cnki.issn.1671-1211.2020.03.002 (in Chinese)
Williams M (2015) Interactions between fluvial and eolian geomorphic systems and processes: Examples from the Sahara and Australia. Catena 134: 4–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2014.09.015
Xie Y, Chi Y (2016) Geochemical investigation of dry- and wet-deposited dust during the same dust-storm event in Harbin, China: constraint on provenance and implications for formation of aeolian loess. J Asian Earth Sci. 120: 43–61. https://doi.org/10.1016/jjseaes.2016.01.025
Yan P, Li X, Ma Y, et al. (2015) Morphological characteristics of interactions between deserts and rivers in northern China. Aeolian Res 19: 225–233. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aeolia.2015.01.005
Yang X, Cai M, Ye P, et al. (2018) Provenance of aeolian sands in the hetao plain, northwestern China. Aeolian Res 32: 92–101. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aeolia.2018.02.002
Yang F, Mao J, Xu L, et al. (2007a) REE geochemistry of the Mengku iron deposit, Xinjiang, and its indication for iron mineralization. Acta Petrol Sin 23(10): 2443–2456. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1000-0569.2007.10.013
Yang X, Zhu B, White PD (2007b) Provenance of aeolian sediment in the Taklamakan Desert of western China, inferred from REE and major-elemental data. Quatern Int 175(01): 71–85. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2007.03.005
Ye Y, Yang Z, Di B, et al. (2003) Grassland resources and sustainable development of animal husbandry in Dingjie County, Tibet. Mt Res (03): 337–341. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1008-2786.2003.03.013 (in Chinese)
Zhang Z, Pan K, Zhang C, et al. (2020) Geochemical characteristics and the provenance of aeolian material in the hexi corridor desert, China. Catena 190(15): 104483. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2020.104483
Zhang Z, Liang A, Zhang C, et al. (2021) Gobi deposits play a significant role as sand sources for dunes in the badain jaran desert, northwest China. Catena 206: 105530. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2021.105530
Zhang Z, Dong Z, Zhang C, et al. (2016a) The geochemical characteristics of dust material and dust sources identification in northwestern China. J Geochem Explor 175: 148–155. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gexplo.2016.11.006
Zhang L, Qin X, Liu J, et al. (2016b) Geochemistry of sediments from the Huaibei Plain (east China): Implications for provenance, weathering, and invasion of the Yellow River into the Huaihe River. J Asian Earth Sci 121: 72–83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jseaes.2016.02.008
Zhu B, Zhang J, Sun C (2021) Physiochemical Characteristics, Provenance, and Dynamics of Sand Dunes in the Arid Hexi Corridor. Front Earth Sc-Switz 726. https://doi.org/10.3389/FEART.2021.728202
Acknowledgement
Thanks go to Professor LIU Weiming for helping with fieldwork and sample collection. This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Project No. 41807448).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Chen, Yg., Pan, Mh., Hao, Zw. et al. Grain size-dependent geochemical evidence reveals provenance and implications of aeolian sands, Dinggye region, southern Tibet. J. Mt. Sci. 19, 1998–2014 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11629-021-7225-1
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11629-021-7225-1