Decrease In Magnetic Susceptibility Research Articles

Silicate weathering linked with global climate change along the Mid-Pleistocene transition: A record from the Himalayan foreland Basin, India

Tectonic uplift and climate change play a pivotal role in controlling silicate weathering in the source region. Being adjacent to the hinterland, the sediments of the Himalayan foreland basin (HFB) hold an excellent archive to elucidate weathering link with climate and uplift. In this study, we present geochemical records of major, trace and rare earth elements, clay mineral compositions as well as the environmental magnetic and stable carbon isotope composition (δ13C) of siliciclastic sediments of the HFB over the past 2.0 Ma. These records have been used to link silicate weathering with global climate change along the Mid-Pleistocene Transition (MPT) period. The source rock compositions are characterized by selected elemental ratios, i.e., Cr/Th, Th/Sc, Th/Co and La/Sc as well as other geochemical proxies such as Al2O3/TiO2 and TiO2/Zr, suggesting a felsic source rock composition. The enriched LREE pattern of Chondrite-normalised REE with a negative Europium anomaly also attributes to felsic source rock composition. All these inferences suggest that most of the studied sediments were derived from mixed sources of the Higher Himalayan rocks and the Lesser Himalayan crystalline regions. A declining trend in kaolinite/(illite + chlorite) ratios, decreasing values of geochemical weathering indices (such as Rb/Sr and CIA), a decrease in magnetic susceptibility and gradual depleted value of δ13C indicate a decrease in chemical weathering of the siliciclastic rocks in the source region, which is most probably associated with the global climate change from warm-humid to cold-dry condition along the MPT. This suggests that variation in silicate weathering in the Himalayan region are mainly controlled by global climate and monsoon conditions.

High thermoelectric performance of GeTe-MnTe alloy driven by spin degree of freedom

GeTe has been known as an excellent thermoelectrics, whereas its realistically application is limited by its structural phase transition near 700 K. Here, we show that the temperature of phase transition can be suppressed below 300 K by alloying 35% MnTe. The GeTe-MnTe alloy exhibits the much different transport properties from GeTe. Its room-temperature Seebeck coefficient is close to that of optimized GeTe, while its carrier concentration is one order higher. The increase of Seebeck coefficient of GeTe-MnTe is found to be accompanied with the decrease of magnetic susceptibility, while GeTe shows the opposite trend. By optimizing the carrier concentration with Bi doping and Bi/Sb co-doping, the peak figure of merit of GeTe-MnTe reaches 1.46 at 823 K. Our study reveals that GeTe-MnTe alloy is a novel and promising thermoelectric material.

First-principles calculations to investigate thermoelectric efficiency of β-In2S3 under pressure for renewable energy sources

The effect of hydrostatic pressure and temperature on thermoelectric properties of Indium sulfide (β-In2S3) in the tetragonal crystal structure is studied using the first principal calculations and the full potential-linearized augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) method. The Pedrew-Burke-Ernzerhof generalized gradient approximation (PBE-GGA), local density approximation (LDA) and Tran and Blaha modified Becke-Johnson (TB-mBJ) potential are used for calculation of exchange–correlation potentials. Calculated indirect bandgaps are 0.95, 1.17, and 2.19 eV by LDA, PBE-GGA, and TB- mBJ approximations. Obtained bandgap by TB-mBJ approximation is in good agreement with the experimental result. Calculated density of state spectra show the p orbital of S atoms have significant contribution near the Fermi level. The thermoelectric properties of β-In2S3 under pressure like the Seebeck coefficient SC, the electronic thermal conductivity κe, the electrical conductivity σ, the figure of merit ZT, the electronic specific heat CT,μ and Pauli magnetic susceptibility χT,μ are also calculated. As a result, ZTmax of 0.48 (at 500 K) and 0.41 (at 300 K) are obtained for β-In2S3 at zero pressure. The value of SC for p-type carrier was higher than that of n-type one for β-In2S3. By increasing temperature, electronic thermal conductivity increases but there is no change in electrical conductivity and it remains constant at all temperatures. The maximum values of electronic specific heat and Pauli magnetic susceptibility at zero pressure and room temperature are calculated about 17.168 (J/mol K) and 10.3 × 10−9 (m3/mol), respectively. The electronic specific heat increases with increasing temperature. According to the Curie-Weiss law, the Pauli magnetic susceptibility decrease with increasing temperature. Due to the low lattice thermal conductivity, suitable figure of merit ZT and wide band gap of β-In2S3 have possibilities of applications in the thermoelectric renewable energy sources and solar cells devices.

Quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) in deep gray matter as a neurodegeneration marker in relapsing-remitting and secondary-progressive multiple sclerosis

Purpose. The aim of the study was to investigate changes in iron distribution in the brain of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique – quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) – in comparison with clinical data.Materials and methods. Three groups of patients were included in this prospective study: 47 patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), 20 patients with secondary progressive MS (SPMS) and 39 healthy controls. For all patients we collected clinical data, including history of present illness (H&P) and disability degree, and performed brain MRI followed by QSM maps obtaining and assessing relative magnetic susceptibility in subcortical structures.Results. We found an increase in magnetic susceptibility in the heads of the caudate nuclei and in putamen in patients with SPMS as compared to RRMS. At the same time, a decrease in magnetic susceptibility in the thalamic pulvinar was detected in patients with MS in the long term, but a sharp hyperintensity in conjunction with decreasing volume was observed in some patients.Conclusion. Increased magnetic susceptibility on the QSM in subcortical structures of the brain, reflecting iron content, is more typical for patients with SPMS, which may indicate the prognostic value of these changes.

Method for Rapid Detection of Bacteria Using Magnetic Nanoparticle Aggregates

A novel method for the rapid detection of bacteria in the liquid phase for point-of-care testing was developed using magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) conjugated with antibodies. We utilized the magnetic characteristic that the magnetic susceptibility decreases when the magnetism of MNP aggregate changes from ferromagnetism to superparamagnetism after bacteria bind to MNPs through an antigen-antibody reaction (Nanomag-D, 500 nmφ, 0.2 μl/sample). The magnetic susceptibility of Fusobacterium nucleatum samples was measured using a lab-made detection setup. We found that the susceptibility depends on the concentration of Fusobacterium nucleatum with optical density (OD) values ranging from 10-4 to 1 (i.e. 8 × 104 ~ 8 × 108 CFU/ml). In addition, the detection time was only about 49 seconds, which shows promise for point-of-care testing.

Significance of Granulometric Composition and Physicochemical Properties for Interpreting the Lake Grand Sedimentation

Abstract —The paper is concerned with a study of the slope deposits being weathering products of rhyolites and their tuffs in the vicinity of Lake Grand (northern Okhotsk area). The samples were divided into grain size fractions of 2500, 250, 140, 100, 63, 40, 20, and 1 μm. Analysis for major and trace elements and mineralogical and petrophysical studies were performed for each fraction. It is shown that a decrease in the fraction size is accompanied by the enrichment of the sediments with Al2O3, Fe2O3, TiO2, MgO, Y, Rb, Ni, and paramagnetic minerals and by an increase in LOI. The fine fractions are characterized by low contents of SiO2 and Na2O and high values of CIA, PIA, and Rb/Sr. The maximum magnetic susceptibility, saturation magnetization, and contents of CaO, Sr, and Zr are established in the fractions of 40 μm. The values of magnetic susceptibility, Js, and Jrs decrease in passing from the fractions of 40 μm to the fractions of 1 μm, whereas the values of Bc and Bcr increase. A specific feature of these fractions is high paramagnetic susceptibility and the presence of lepidocrocite. The qualitative composition of ferrimagnetic minerals is the same for the slope deposits and lacustrine sediments. In passing from coarse fractions to fine ones, the contents of quartz and K-feldspar decrease, and the contents of muscovite, biotite, chlorite, and kaolinite increase. The distribution of petromagnetic and geochemical characteristics in the Lake Grand sediments of varying grain size is similar to that in the slope deposits. The complex characteristics of the lacustrine sediments that formed in cold and warm periods are consistent with the distribution of these parameters in various fractions of deluvium and colluvium. Moreover, the fine-grained material acquired specific geochemical, mineralogical, and petrophysical properties when being on the slopes. Comparison of the SiO2/TiO2 and Fe2O3/TiO2 ratios of the slope deposits and lacustrine sediments makes it possible to identify the intervals of biogenic and chemogenic sedimentation in water basins.

Structural analysis and magnetic-microwave absorption properties of natural mineral-derived silica-coated magnetite nanocomposites

Herein, a green synthesis method to prepare silica-coated magnetite nanocomposites by employing ironstone (an Indonesian natural resource) and an industrial by-product of zircon sand purification is reported. The X-ray diffraction pattern confirmed the formation of the magnetite phase, with an increased lattice constant after the coating process. The absorbance peaks of Fourier transform infrared spectra and the clear boundary in high-resolution transmission electron micrographs suggested that no chemical reaction was involved between Fe3O4 and SiO2. Silica coating caused a decrease in magnetic saturation and initial susceptibility and an increase in the coercivity, remanence, and domain magnetic size of composites. The microwave absorption peaks for SiO2 and Fe3O4 nanoparticles were observed at approximately 10.00 and 11.00 GHz, respectively. Fe3O4/SiO2 nanocomposites exhibited both absorption peaks with improved absorption and a tunable frequency. Furthermore, the combination of Fe3O4 as a magnetic and SiO2 as a dielectric material provided an advantage in adjusting the direction of the magnetic dipole moment and electric dipole polarization for specific applications.

Geophysical characteristics of the Belaya Gora gold deposit (Khabarovsk Krai, Russia)

Research subject. SThe geophysical fields and physical properties of altered gold-bearing rocks within the Belogorskoye ore field and the Belaya Gora gold deposit located in the Khabarovsk Krai.Materials and methods. Magnetic field and the distribution of electrical resistivity and polarisability obtained during land-based surveys as well as magnetic susceptibility, apparent electrical resistivity and polarisability of the samples from trenches and drilling cores have been studied. The analysis of the spatial correlation of the features of geophysical fields and gold mineralisation has been carried out. The physical properties of rocks are analysed depending on the intensity and type of superimposed hydrothermal alterations and gold content.Results. A significant decrease of magnetic susceptibility for all types of altered rock is indicated. Differences in electrical resistivity and polarisability are observed for hydrothermally altered rocks of the pre-ore stage and ore-bearing metasomatites. The former, with a relatively increased electrical resistance, have the highest polarisability (within the ore field), while the latter are characterised by an even higher resistance, but with the significant decrease in polarisability, which remains slightly elevated relative to unaltered rocks. These patterns also determine the geophysical characteristics of the ore field and deposit. The gold ore field is characterised by a significant decrease in the magnetic field intensity, an areal anomaly of increased polarisability, and, in general, an increased apparent electrical resistance. The deposit itself, as an area covering ore bodies, is generally characterised by an even more intensive increase in apparent electrical resistivity and a relative decrease in polarisability against its generally high background.Conclusions. Based on the performed research, a geophysical model of the Belaya Gora gold deposit is proposed, which may be used as a reference during the planning of geophysical works and the interpretation of geophysical data during the exploration works for epithermal gold mineralisation within the volcanic-tectonic structures in the Nizhne-Amursky region.

Transverse magnetic routing of light emission in hybrid plasmonic-semiconductor nanostructures: Towards operation at room temperature

We study experimentally and theoretically the temperature dependence of transverse magnetic routing of light emission from hybrid plasmonic-semiconductor quantum well structures where the exciton emission from the quantum well is routed into surface plasmon polaritons propagating along a nearby semiconductor-metal interface. In II-VI and III-V direct band semiconductors the magnitude of routing is governed by the circular polarization of exciton optical transitions, that is induced by a magnetic field. For structures comprising a (Cd,Mn)Te/(Cd,Mg)Te diluted magnetic semiconductor quantum well we observe a strong directionality of the emission up to 15% at low temperature of 20 K and magnetic field of 485 mT due to giant Zeeman splitting of holes mediated via the strong exchange interaction with Mn$^{2+}$ ions. For increasing temperatures towards room-temperature the magnetic susceptibility decreases and the directionality strongly decreases to 4% at T = 45 K. We also propose an alternative design based on a non-magnetic (In,Ga)As/(In,Al)As quantum well structure, suitable for higher temperatures. According to our calculations, such structure can demonstrate emission directionality up to 5% for temperatures below 200 K and moderate magnetic fields of 1 T.

Assessment of differential magnetic susceptibility in nanoparticles: Effects of changes in viscosity and immobilisation

The nonlinear magnetic behaviour of superparamagnetic iron-oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) has attracted interest as a valuable feature for upcoming medical applications. Injecting SPIONs into the human body affects their magnetic properties through the formation of protein corona or cell immobilisation. It is therefore important to study the effects of environmental changes on the magnetic susceptibility of SPIONs. A superparamagnetic quantifier (SPaQ) is used here to assess the differential magnetic susceptibility of three commercially available SPIONs: Synomag®, Resovist® and Sienna+®. The following experiments were carried out to mimic the influence of the biological environment on the magnetic responses of SPIONs: (i) varying the viscosity of the medium; and (ii) immobilising the nanoparticles by freeze-drying. Differential magnetisation curves as a function of the applied magnetic field were visualised to reveal the dynamic magnetic behaviour of SPIONs in both experiments. Synomag® displayed the lowest decrease (~5%) in differential magnetic susceptibility compared to Resovist® (~33%) and Sienna+® (~21%), for a change from water to a high-viscosity fluid. Although Synomag® showed a clear drop in differential magnetic susceptibility (~58%) after freeze-drying, it still appears to be a promising candidate for clinical applications due to its low sensitivity to changes in viscosity.

A new Bi0.7Fe1.3O1.5F1.7 phase: Crystal structure, magnetic properties, and cathode performance in fluoride-ion batteries

We synthesize a Bi0.7Fe1.3O1.5F1.7 (BFOF) phase via a non-topochemical reaction with a fluorination agent. The crystal structure is refined by Rietveld refinement on the neutron diffraction patterns as a hexagonal lattice in the R3¯ space group, along with the defect structure. The sudden decrease in magnetic susceptibility below 250 K and the linear relationship between the magnetization and the magnetic field indicate that BFOF is an antiferromagnetic material. When BFOF is used as a cathode in fluoride-ion batteries (FIBs), a discharge (charge) capacity of 360 (225) mAh/g is achieved at 140 °C. Magnetization and x-ray diffraction measurements confirm that the F ions are transferred from the cathode to the Pb counter electrode during discharge and in the opposite direction during charge, in a manner analogous to the transfer of lithium (Li) ions in Li-ion batteries. These findings contribute to the development of quaternary oxyfluorides serving as FIB cathodes.

Spin-crossover phenomenon and intermolecular interaction for the assembled Fe(II) complexes having aromatic rings

Assembled Fe(II) complex, [Fe(NCS)2(1,5-bpna)2·(0.6CH2Cl2)(C2H5OH)]n (powder sample) (1,5-bpna = 1,5-bis(4-pyridyl)naphthalene), was synthesized. The powder sample showed slight decrease in magnetic susceptibility with decreasing temperature. Small amount of low-spin state was observed in Mossbauer spectrum at 78 K for the powder sample, suggesting incomplete spin-crossover phenomenon. Single crystal of [Fe(NCS)2(1,5-bpna)2·(toluene)]n was obtained. Magnetic susceptibility for [Fe(NCS)2(1,5-bpna)2·(toluene)]n revealed high-spin state at all temperature region. X-ray structural analysis revealed the CH-π interaction between bridging ligand and guest toluene. Such interaction forced parallel structure around iron atom, which inhibits the decrease in Fe-N distance to become low-spin state.

Climate Change and Vegetation Evolution during the Transition from Marine Isotope Stage 5 to 4 Based on Two Typical Profiles at the Southern Chinese Loess Plateau

The geological transitional period from the Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 5 to 4 during the Quaternary period is a multidimensional change involving monsoon and precipitation variation, vegetation dynamics, and environmental evolution. The first loess layer (L1) and the first paleosol layer (S1) in the Chines Loess Plateau provide excellent high-resolution terrestrial sediment record for this transition. In this work, grain size (GS), CaCO3 content, magnetic susceptibility (MS), and pollen composition were measured at intervals of 2-cm in two representative L1/S1 profiles in the southern Chinese Loess Plateau to reconstruct records of climatic and vegetative changes during this transition. Our results showed that, in general, the paleo-vegetation type was forest-steppe, with Pinus being the commonest tree, and Chenopodiaceae and Artemisia being common herbs in the study area. The topography had a significant impact on the distribution of paleo-vegetation. The increase of coarse particles, the decrease of magnetic susceptibility, and the rising percentage of Gramineae, Artemisia and Chenopodiaceae pollen, all indicated that the paleoclimate became cooler and drier over the transitional period. Besides, we identified a cool event at about 76.8 ka B.P. as revealed by grain-size curves, and in response to this event, the vegetation changed significantly but lagged several hundred years behind the grain size record. This study confirmed the cooling and drying tendency during the MIS 5 to 4 transition phase in the southern margin of the Chinese Loess Plateau. These findings shed light on the climatic change on vegetation evolution during the MIS 5 to 4 transition period.

Magnetic resonance energy transfer for in vivo glutathione susceptibility weighted imaging

Glutathione (GSH) plays a vital role in maintaining biological redox homeostasis. Accordingly, accurate imaging of glutathione in vivo is of great significance. Herein, we propose a magnetic resonance energy transfer (MRET) strategy based on a distance-dependent magnetic exchange coupling effect (MECE), which can realize GSH detection within tumors in vivo by susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI). Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) and CoFe2O4 NPs linked with cystamine (Fe3O4–S–S–CoFe2O4) have been successfully designed as SWI nanoprobes. After the disulfide bonds are broken by excess GSH in the tumor, the increase in the distance between Fe3O4 NPs and CoFe2O4 NPs will induce a decrease of MECE and magnetic susceptibility. As a result, the changes in the SWI signals are used for tumor GSH detection in vivo. Experimental results in vitro and in vivo demonstrate that the Fe3O4–S–S–CoFe2O4 SWI nanoprobe can sensitively detect concentrations of GSH in tumors. Hence, this strategy not only improves the sensitivity of the GSH response in SWI but also provides a powerful basis for the design of other responsive functional MRI nanoprobes.

Ballooning emplacement and alteration of the Chah-Musa subvolcanic intrusion (NE Iran) inferred from magnetic susceptibility and fabric

AbstractThe porphyritic diorite Chah-Musa subvolcanic intrusion is located in the Toroud-Chah Shirin magmatic arc in the northern Central Iranian structural zone. The elliptical Chah-Musa body hosts a copper deposit and intrudes an Eocene sequence of volcanic breccia, agglomerate and red tuffaceous sediment. High magnetic susceptibility values are attributed to the presence of magnetite as a magnetic carrier. Changes in bulk magnetic susceptibility correlate with zonation of alteration in the intrusion. Although the degree of anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility decreases due to hydrothermal alteration, the field observations confirm that this parameter can be used as a strain marker. Strongly oblate magnetic ellipsoids are found in the eastern half of the intrusion where isolated outcrops of flat-lying tuffaceous host cover dioritic rocks (roof zone). Stations with prolate ellipsoids mostly belong to the centre of the intrusion where the magnetic lineations plunge steeply. They are interpreted as indicating the main feeder zone. The concentric fabric pattern at the periphery of intrusion, the oblate magnetic ellipsoids at the roof, the highest anisotropy degree along the small diameter of the intrusion, and an intense deformation of the host rocks, especially at the western margin, all are evidence that the intrusion was ballooning during the late stages of its emplacement. Ascent and emplacement of the Chah-Musa body is ascribed to the tensional space provided by a dextral shear zone created by the regional left-lateral movement on the bounding Anjilow and Toroud strike-slip faults.

Structural, surface morphological and low temperature studies on gadolinium tri chloride (GdCl3)

Gd3+ compounds receive special interest because of the maximum number of unpaired spins and they are useful in NMR spectroscopy and MRI. So, study on Gadolinium tri chloride has been reported here. The compound crystallizes in hexagonal structure. The particles are spherical and exhibit flake like structure. Low temperature magnetic study from 300 K to 20 K shows decrease of magnetic susceptibility with increase of temperature. M-H curve shows paramagnetic behavior. The compound can be used for UV filters and for optoelectronic applications. Low temperature magnetic study indicates cooperative interaction between the gadolinium spins in the compound.

Temporal changes in magnetic signal of burnt soils – A compelling three years pilot study

Wildfires strongly affect soils, including iron biogeochemical cycling and carbon storage. Thus, it is important to reveal the dynamics of iron oxide synthesis and transformations during and after a wildfire. This study investigates the temporal stability of strongly magnetic minerals appearing after a wildfire. Following a designed experimental fire, samples from vegetation ash and mineral soil were taken immediately after and at progressively longer time intervals. The magnetic susceptibility monitoring of samples during three years period demonstrates an initial increase in magnetic signal of ash-rich material taken immediately after the fire followed by a gradual decrease over time. The behavior of samples collected later after the fire showed only a moderate decrease. It is suggested that the magnetic susceptibility rise during the laboratory storage could be due to the increased availability of nutrients and microbial activity immediately after the fire and related intense redox reactions involving iron oxide particles. The decreasing trend in magnetic susceptibility is ascribed to the oxidation of ultrafine magnetite particles with time. All mineral soil samples from the deeper level showed an initial susceptibility increase, assigned to a similar process. Magnetic susceptibility monitoring was also carried out on samples gathered shortly after natural wildfires. The soil samples affected by strong and long wildfires show a decrease in magnetic susceptibility with time. This effect is more pronounced in the surface black-colored ash layer. The ash material from a site disturbed by a strong short wildfire demonstrates behavior similar to the ash from the experimental fire. It is supposed that the temporal evolution of magnetic susceptibility of the mineral alteration products of wildfires is influenced by the grain size of the produced iron oxide particles, their redox reactions mediated by the heterotrophic bacteria, as well as the amplifying role of pyrogenic carbon for intensification of the redox reactions.

Stress dependence of the magnetic properties of glass-coated amorphous microwires

We studied the effect of applied tensile stresses on magnetic properties of Fe- and Co-rich amorphous glass-coated microwires. Rising of magnetic anisotropy field upon tensile stress in Co-rich glass-coated microwires is described by a linear dependence. Furthermore, decrease of magnetic susceptibility upon tensile stress is observed in Co-rich microwires. A monotonous increase in the coercivity and the switching field upon tensile applied stress is observed for as-prepared Fe-rich microwire. Stress induced magnetic bistability consisting of transformation of hysteresis and onset of rectangular hysteresis loop upon tensile stress, σ, of about 22.5 MPa is observed in stress-annealed Fe-rich microwires. Such stress-induced magnetic bistability results in considerable growing of coercivity and remanent magnetization in stress-annealed Fe-rich microwires. The rising in the coercivity and the switching field upon applied tensile stresses in stress-annealed Fe-rich microwires with stress induced magnetic bistability (at σ > 22.5 MPa) is roughly described by the σ½ dependence, as previously reported for the wires with spontaneous magnetic bistability. Consequently, stress-annealing of Fe-rich microwire allows beneficial enhancement of the stress dependence of coercivity. Observed dependencies are discussed considering stress dependence of the magnetostriction coefficient in Co-rich glass-coated microwires, internal stresses redistribution and domain structure rearrangement in stress-annealed Fe-rich microwires upon applied tensile stresses.

Structural, Mössbauer spectroscopy, magnetic properties, and thermal measurements of Y3−xDyxFe5O12**Project supported by the Deanship of Research and Graduate Studies of Yarmouk University (Garnet No. 33/2015).

Yttrium iron garnet powder samples (Y3−xDyxFe5O12, where part of yttrium ions are substituted by dysprosium ions with different concentrations are prepared by the solid state reaction method. The properties of the prepared samples are examined by different methods such as x-ray diffraction (XRD), Mössbauer spectroscopy, macroscopic magnetization measurements, and thermal measurements. The XRD measurements show that all the samples reveal the presence of a single garnet phase with a BCC structure. Room temperature Mössbauer spectra indicate that iron ions occupy three magnetic sites, i.e., two octahedral sites and one tetrahedral site. The saturation magnetization and the initial magnetic susceptibility decrease with the increase of Dy3+ substitution. The Curie temperature obtained from the thermal measurements seems to be independent of Dy3+ substitution.

Late Pliocene Monsoonal Rainfall Gradients in Western China Recorded by the Eolian Deposits From the Linxia Basin, NE Tibetan Plateau

AbstractLoess and red clay sediments from the Chinese Loess Plateau (CLP) contain a wealth of information about variations in the Asian monsoon and the aridification history of the Asian interior. However, relatively little is known about late Pliocene palaeoenvironmental evolution and the variations in the gradients of monsoonal rainfall in the western part of the CLP, due to the poor exposure of pre‐Quaternary eolian deposits and uncertainties in the interpretation of paleoclimatic proxies in most parts of the region. To address these issues, we conducted a detailed rock magnetic investigation of newly drilled eolian sequences (spanning 3.7–2.4 Ma) from the Linxia Basin, NE Tibetan Plateau. Our results demonstrate that pedogenically formed fine magnetic grains are responsible for the magnetic enhancement of loess‐red clay sediments from the basin. Spatially, a clear decrease in magnetic susceptibility and its frequency dependence is observed between the central and western CLP, indicating that the East Asian summer monsoon already exerted a major influence on the amount and distribution of late Pliocene rainfall in the Linxia Basin. After evaluating the validity of magneto‐climofunctions, we attempt to reconstruct late Pliocene‐early Pleistocene monsoonal precipitation in the NE margin of the Tibetan Plateau. The results demonstrate that the difference in late Pliocene monsoonal rainfall between the study area and Chaona in the central CLP was about 300–400 mm. This value is higher than that of the present day, indicating a steepened gradient in monsoonal rainfall between the central and western CLP during the late Pliocene.