Abstract
A record of changes in Nd and Sr isotopic composition of the eolian deposits from the central Loess Plateau has been determined for the past 8 Ma. The isotopic records of the silicate fraction of the Quaternary and Tertiary eolian deposits allow interpreting the interplay between the Sr isotopic variations in the eolian deposits and the late Cenozoic tectonic and climatic changes. The results indicate that the temporal variations of Nd and Sr isotopes show remarkable changes around the beginning of the Quaternary. The lower values of the 143 Nd/ 144 Nd and the decreasing trend of the 87 Sr/ 86 Sr ratios after 2.58 Ma ago are attributed to the additions of relatively younger crust materials in response to the climatic cooling and the late Cenozoic uplift induced glacial grinding in the high orogenic belts in central Asia. In this context, the substantial changes in climate and tectonics have modified dust sources significantly, and the Quaternary loess forming processes are preferentially sampling relatively younger and high relief crust materials than that of the Tertiary Red Clay. D 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.