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Sr-Nd-Pb Isotopic compositions of the Neogene Eolian Deposits in the Xining Basin and Implications for Their Dust Sources

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Abstract

The Neogene eolian deposits in the Xining Basin are valuable archive for studying the evolution of the Asian monsoon system and geomorphic processes of Northwest China. The Neogene eolian deposits that paleomagnetically dated at about 14 Ma probably were sourced from the middle and west Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) as indicated by elemental compositions and magnetic properties. This study provides the Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic ratios of different sediments (gravels from the river terraces, Neogene eolian deposits and Quaternary loess) in the Xining Basin. The results show that: (1) Sr-Nd isotopic compositions of terrace gravels are different from those of the Neogene and Quaternary eolian deposits, although the Nd isotope ratios of gravel on the 10th terrace (T10) and eolian deposits are similar. (2) Pb isotopic compositions of river gravels are obviously different from the eolian deposits in the Xining Basin. However, Pb isotopic compositions of eolian deposits in the basin are similar to those of eolian deposits in the central Chinese Loess Plateau. (3) Sr-Nd-Pb isotope results indicate that the Neogene eolian deposits in the Xining Basin were probably sourced from remote areas outside of the basin by long-distance transportation. The Qaidam Basin is probably an important source area for the eolian deposits in the Xining Basin.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Salt Lake Resources and Chemistry, Qinghai Institute of Salt Lakes, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, 810008, China

    Fangming Zeng & Dongmei Yu

  2. School of Public Administration, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China

    Meiyan Liang

  3. School of Tourism, Resources and Environment, Taishan University, Taian, 271021, China

    Shuzhen Peng

  4. School of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China

    Shuyuan Xiang

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  1. Fangming Zeng
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Correspondence to Fangming Zeng.

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Zeng, F. M., Liang, M. Y., Peng, S. Z., et al., 2015. Sr-Nd-Pb Isotopic Compositions of the Neogene Eolian Deposits in the Xining Basin and Implications for Their Dust Sources. Journal of Earth Science, 26(5): 669–676. doi:10.1007/s12583-015-0575-2. http://en.earth-science.net

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Zeng, F., Liang, M., Peng, S. et al. Sr-Nd-Pb Isotopic compositions of the Neogene Eolian Deposits in the Xining Basin and Implications for Their Dust Sources. J. Earth Sci. 26, 669–676 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12583-015-0575-2

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