Loess/palaeosol section in Šarengrad, Croatia – A qualitative discussion on the correlation of the geochemical and magnetic susceptibility data

Abstract

The Šarengrad loess section is located on the south bank of the Danube River in the easternmost part of Croatia. The published lithostratigraphical results including grain size, total organic content, calcium carbonate content and luminescence dating results are complemented by geochemical (content of major and trace elements and acidity) and magnetic susceptibility ( κ) studies. Throughout the section, four palaeosols are intercalated in the loess. The oldest, hydromorphic one is covered by laminated alluvial sediments and loess. The second palaeosol is an argillic dark brown soil with the highest κ value of the profile, and the other two palaeosols are brownish and less developed. Geochemical characteristics and MS signals of the palaeosols explain both the main characteristics and degree of pedogenesis. Palaeosol horizons could be clearly distinguished from loess based on the content of major and trace elements and on weathering coefficients, such as Ba/Sr, and (CaO + Na 2O + MgO + K 2O)/Al 2O 3. IRSL age estimates of 86.6 ± 8.6 and 55.3 ± 5.5 ka indicate that most of the middle and upper pleniglacial loess record is missing at the Šarengrad section. However, the loess/palaeosol sequence at Šarengrad has a very detailed record correlating with MIS 4–5.