Abstract
To explore the genesis and paleoenvironmental characteristics of the Cretaceous red beds in northwest China, 85 samples were collected from three sedimentary profiles (J1–J3) in Longzhou Town, Jingbian County. Sedimentology methods were used to analyze the physical and chemical properties of the sedimentary beds. The transport mode, transport dynamics, genesis, and quantitative climatic characteristics of red sandstones in the study area were discussed. The main conclusions are as follows: (1) Sandstone is not aeolian sediment, and its transportation is dominated by hydrodynamic forces. The overall transportation force is strong, but the dynamic strength changes erratically. (2) Sandstone was a proximal sediment, and its “red” color is caused by oxidation on land before deposition, not by underwater oxidation. (3) Sandstone was deposited under relatively warm and humid climatic conditions and subjected to strong chemical weathering. During the period of sandstone deposition, the average annual precipitation was 526.44mm to 695.34mm, and the quantitatively recovered paleotemperature was 15.20 °C, which has the characteristics of a subtropical and semi-humid climate. (4) The absence of fine particles in the thin sandstone profiles can lead to a lower weathering index value, and factors such as grain size and clay mineral content should be considered when determining the weathering degree of red sandstone.
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Funding
This work was supported by the National Science Foundation of China [Grant Number: 42130507]; the State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology [Grant Number: SKLLQG2013]; Shaanxi Normal University Graduate Navigation Talent Training Project [Grant Number: LHRCTS23080].
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We confirm that the manuscript has been read and approved by all named authors and that there are no other persons who satisfied the criteria for authorship but are not listed. We further confirm that the order of authors listed in the manuscript has been approved by all of us. All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, investigation, data collection, methodology and analysis were performed by [Xiaoning Wang], [Dapeng Yue] and [Jingbo Zhao]. The first draft of the manuscript was written by [Xiaoning Wang], experimental methods and formal analysis were performed by [Yuzhe Yang]. All authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript. Xiaoning Wang: Conceptualization, Methodology, Investigation, Sampling, Writing - Original Draft. Dapeng Yue: Conceptualization, Methodology. Jingbo Zhao: Visualization, Investigation; Writing - Review & Editing. Yuzhe Yang: Experimental methods, Formal analysis.
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Wang, X., Yue, D., Zhao, J. et al. Sedimentary characteristics and paleoclimatic significance of the lower cretaceous red sandstone in the Central Ordos Basin. Environ Earth Sci 83, 46 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-023-11351-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-023-11351-x