The Brunhes/Matuyama boundary and magnetic parameters related to climatic changes in Quaternary sediments of Argentina

Abstract

Rock magnetic properties have been measured in a loess–paleosol sequence in the Gorina Quarry, which previously have been suggested to contain records of the Brunhes and part of the Matuyama polarity chrons. Lowest susceptibility values (below 50 × 10 −8 m 3/kg) are generally related to intensive weathered horizons, whereas highest values are obtained in loess layers (250 × 10 −8 m 3/kg) as a result of the greater ferromagnetic content in the parent material. The frequency-dependent part of susceptibility ranges between 0.5% and 6.8%; the higher value was obtained in B horizons of paleosols, which can be attributed to superparamagnetic contributions. Hysteresis loops indicate that the differences in ferrimagnetic and paramagnetic content in the sequence reflect the degree of pedogenesis. The same conclusion can be drawn with isothermal remanent magnetization. This point is relevant for determining past climatic changes because the wind-blown titanomagnetites from Cordillera de Los Andes during glacial periods were altered during interglacial periods. The mode of pedogenesis appears not only to control such alterations but also to produce other magnetic minerals.