A Multi-Proxy Analysis of two Loess-Paleosol Sequences in the Northern Harz Foreland, Germany

Abstract

Two loess-paleosol-sequences from the northern Harz foreland, Hecklingen and Zilly, have been investigated. In general, loess-paleosol-sequences represent valuable terrestrial archives of regional environmental and climatic conditions during past glacial periods. The study area is part of the northern European loess belt and was in the vicinity of the Scandinavian ice sheet during the Weichselian. Aiming towards a better understanding of the paleoenvironmental conditions during the Weichselian in an area close to the Scandinavian ice sheet, results from grain-size, geochemical (XRF, CNS), color and magnetic susceptibility measurements are combined. The findings demonstrate an increased input of aeolian material during the last glacial maximum and the last cover loess period, which is in accordance to the theory of drier and colder conditions during this time frame. Further, data reveal a strong input not only of loess but also of coarser material coming from a shorter distance during the last glacial maximum in both profiles. Material of the last glacial maximum clearly indicates a shift of wind direction towards easterly winds. In Hecklingen, an enhancement of coarser material has been observed within the recent soil and MIS 3 soil material. Since soil material that dates back to the MIS 3 is present in the profile, it can be assumed that surface processes were less intrusive during the MIS 3 and 2 than in e.g. the Lower Rhine Embayment and Saxony.