Holocene aeolian dust accumulation rates across the Chinese Loess Plateau

Abstract

The Chinese Loess Plateau (CLP) is a major region of Quaternary aeolian dust deposition. However, the temporal and spatial variations of Holocene aeolian dust accumulation rate (DAR) across the CLP have not been systematically evaluated. Here, we present a synthesis of Holocene DARs across the CLP based on 36 well-dated loess sections. The results show that the DAR was relatively high during the early Holocene, lowest during the mid-Holocene, and increased substantially during the late Holocene. These trends are in good agreement with the temporal variations of the East Asian summer monsoon (EASM). We conclude that the dominant factor controlling dust storm activity across the CLP during the Holocene was EASM precipitation, rather than the East Asian winter monsoon (EAWM). However, during intervals of a strong EAWM there was a significant positive correlation between the DAR in the CLP and dust deposition in Greenland, suggesting that a strong EAWM may have elevated Asian desert dust to high altitudes, enabling it to be entrained by the westerly jet and transported for long distances. Anthropogenic influences may be superimposed on EASM-modulated dust activity. Against the same background of EASM precipitation, the DAR after 4 kyr BP was significantly higher than previously, which may be related to the intensification of human activities in the dust source areas. Notably, several intervals of high DAR during the past 2000 years were not accompanied by decreases in EASM precipitation, and instead they correspond to significant population increases in the dust source areas. • Holocene dust accumulation rates across the Chinese Loess Plateau were assessed. • EASM dominated Holocene dust storm activity across the Chinese Loess Plateau. • Anthropogenic impacts on dust activity can be traced back to at least 4 kyr BP.