Frequency-dependent Magnetic Susceptibility Research Articles

Frequency Dependent Magnetic Susceptibility in Topsoil of Bandung City, Indonesia

Soil contains lithogenic components as well as anthropogenic components including combustion residues from traffic activities. The high traffic activities in major cities such as Bandung have caused the air pollution level to increase significantly. These activities might also produce significant combustion residues that accumulate, among others, in the topsoils. Compared with lithogenic components in topsoil, the anthropogenic combustion residues might have different magnetic signatures that could be detected by magnetic measurements. In this study, 38 topsoil samples from 19 roadside sampling points in Bandung City were collected and magnetically analysed to map the magnetic signatures due to traffic activities. The samples were measured for magnetic susceptibility using Bartington MS2B Susceptibility Meter and hysteresis parameter analysed from Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM). The results show that the values of mass-specific magnetic susceptibility (χLF) vary from 391.20 to 1835.20×10-8 m3/kg with the average value of 1012.16 × 10-8 m3/kg while the values of frequency dependent susceptibility (χFD%) vary from 0.54% to 4.48% with the average value of 1.9%. The relatively high value of magnetic susceptibility indicates higher concentration of magnetic minerals compared to that of pristine topsoil around Bandung. This is in agreement with similar studies on roadside topsoil elsewhere. The poor correlation between mass-specific magnetic susceptibility and frequency dependent magnetic susceptibility infers that the magnetic minerals are predominantly non superparamagnetic. This finding is supported by magnetic hysteresis parameters showing that the predominant grains are likely to be pseudo-single domain (PSD) if magnetite is assumed to be the predominant magnetic mineral. Similar studies in German and China reported that the predominant magnetic mineral is mixture of single domain to multi domain magnetite.

MAGNETIC AND GEOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATIONS OF IRONSAND DEPOSITS FROM CIREBON COASTAL AREA, WEST JAVA

Cirebon is a densely populated port city which has ironsand deposits at its coastal area. Due to its vicinity to the port and the estuary, these deposits might contain anthropogenic pollutants including, heavy metals. Magnetic measurements, X-Ray diffraction (XRD) as well as X-Ray fluorescence (XRF) analyses were carried out on iron sand samples from three sites along the Cirebon coastal area to identify the anthropogenic pollutants. The samples were separated based on the grain size before the measurement and analyses. Preliminary results show that the ironsand is less magnetic and has smaller frequency-dependent magnetic susceptibility values than ironsand found on Bayuran Beach in Central Java. Combined XRD result and the regional geological map shows that most of the minerals were originated from eroded volcanic rocks. The XRF results show that the samples have a relatively high content of Si. XRF analyses also show relatively high concentrations of Cr and Zn, the Geoaccumulation Index shows that the sediment is moderately to heavily polluted by Cr and Zn indicating the possibility of anthropogenic origin. The Cr and Zn content exceeds the stipulated value in the Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQGS).

Effective Néel relaxation time constant and intrinsic dipolar magnetism in a multicore magnetic nanoparticle system

The coexisting Néel and Brownian relaxation behaviors of magnetic nanoclusters in a viscous medium lead to a highly nonlinear field-dependent magnetization response, which can benefit magnetic particle imaging and hyperthermia. To empirically correlate the moment and particle dynamics with the core and cluster sizes, we performed spectroscopic susceptometry to assess frequency-dependent complex magnetic susceptibility of water-dispersed magnetic nanoclusters at very low field amplitude. The superparamagnetic core particles of nanoclusters should undergo fast moment dynamics. However, for the nanoclusters experiencing the field-driven Brownian relaxation, their constituent core particles appear to collectively behave as a large effective core with a long Néel relaxation time constant. We later numerically interpolated the phase-delay spectra of the immobilized nanoclusters to estimate the Néel relaxation time constant attributed to the intrinsic dipolar interparticle magnetism. From additional static magnetometry, the overlapping bimodal magnetic moment distribution predicts the secondary core sizes larger than the actual sizes from the electron microscopy images. The different estimates of the effective Néel relaxation time constant obtained from the (nearly field-free) frequency-dependent and (static) field-dependent magnetization responses further indicate the activation energies limiting the relaxation behavior of magnetic nanoclusters. This finding highlights the number of effective cores affecting the intracluster interaction energy.

Quantification of pedogenic particles masked by geogenic magnetic fraction

Pedogenic magnetic fraction in soils is attributed to fine-grained particles, i.e. superparamagnetic grains. In the case of a strongly magnetic geogenic fraction, pedogenic magnetic contribution is hard to detect. To the best of our knowledge, detailed research into the masking of pedogenic superparamagnetic grains and quantification of this effect has not yet been carried out. The principal aim of our research is to quantify the influence of coarse-grained ferrimagnetic fraction on the detection of the superparamagnetic grains. In order to describe the masking phenomenon, volume and frequency-dependent magnetic susceptibility were determined on a set of laboratory prepared samples composed of natural substances: a diamagnetic quartz matrix, detrital coarse-grained ferrimagnetic crystals from alkaline and ultra-alkaline igneous rocks, and superparamagnetic soil concretions formed in the Haplic Cambisol. Mineralogy, concentration, type and grain size of the tested material were described by parameters of environmental magnetism. The magnetic parameters distinguish both geogenic multidomain and pedogenic superparamagnetic grains. The magnetic signal of the superparamagnetic grains is gradually masked by the increasing proportion of multidomain grains of magnetite/maghemite. The experiment clearly describes the masking effect and brings new insight to studies dealing with strongly magnetic soils of natural and/or highly contaminated origin as a tool for estimation of superparamagnetic pedogenic contribution.

Spin waves in alloys at finite temperatures: Application to the FeCo magnonic crystal

We study theoretically the influence of the temperature and disorder on the spin wave spectrum of the magnonic crystal Fe$_{1-c}$Co$_{c}$. Our formalism is based on the analysis of a Heisenberg Hamiltonian by means of the wave vector and frequency dependent transverse magnetic susceptibility. The exchange integrals entering the model are obtained from the \emph{ab initio} magnetic force theorem. The coherent potential approximation is employed to treat the disorder and random phase approximation in order to account for the softening of the magnon spectrum at finite temperatures. The alloy turns out to exhibit many advantageous properties for spintronic applications. Apart from high Curie temperature, its magnonic bandgap remains stable at elevated temperatures and is largely unaffected by the disorder. We pay particular attention to the attenuation of magnons introduced by the alloying. The damping turns out to be a non-monotonic function of the impurity concentration due to the non-trivial evolution of the value of exchange integrals with the Co concentration. The disorder induced damping of magnons is estimated to be much smaller than their Landau damping.

Assessing anthropogenic contribution in highly magnetic forest soils developed on basalts using magnetic susceptibility and concentration of elements

Mineral magnetic properties are sensitive indicators for evaluating environmental changes, including environmental pressure caused by atmospherically deposited anthropogenic magnetic particles. The most commonly and easily measured magnetic parameter of soils is magnetic susceptibility, which reflects the combined ferromagnetic minerals of lithogenic, pedogenic, and anthropogenic origins. In volcanic soils rich in ferrimagnetic minerals, unfortunately, contributions of pedogenic and anthropogenic origins are masked by the lithogenic contribution. More study is therefore needed of soils developed on highly magnetic lithologies. This work aimed to determine links between magnetic susceptibility and concentration of potentially toxic elements derived from anthropogenic activities in soil (Aluandic Andosols) developed from highly magnetic parent material in a locality where contamination is not expected. The approach is based on relationships between magnetic properties and geochemical signatures of the investigated soils. Magnetic properties are represented by mass-specific magnetic susceptibility (χ) and frequency-dependent magnetic susceptibility (χFD%). Geochemical signatures are represented by concentrations of the elements Fe, Si, Ti, Zr, Sr, Al, Nb, Mn, Ca, Rb, K, P, Zn, S, Pb, Cr, V, Ni, Cu, and As; pH in H2O; soil organic carbon content; and granulometry. Soil contamination was evaluated using two indexes: enrichment factor and geo-accumulation index. Our findings show that χFD% correlates with presence of the toxic elements S and Pb, derived from human activities, while χ exhibits strong correlation with elements Al, Ti, V, and Fe, reflecting natural origin of parent material. In case of soils with well-developed humus horizon, χFD% can be used as a proxy parameter for identifying anthropogenic influence. Our findings are beneficial also for archaeologists using magnetic susceptibility of soils as a link to chemical signatures of past settlement activities.

High-resolution palaeoenvironmental reconstruction at Zmajevac (Croatia) over the last three glacial/interglacial cycles

A high-resolution analysis of the Zmajevac loess-palaeosol sequence in East Croatia (Baranja) was performed with the purpose to get new insights into the palaeoenvironmental history during the last three glacial-interglacial cycles. The post-IR infrared stimulated luminescence signal of feldspar, stimulated at 290°C (thereafter pIRIR290) was used to establish a reliable chronological framework and revealed intensive sedimentation during (at least) the last 300 kyr, which was five times interrupted by climate optima resulting in the formation of soils (now palaeosols). The environmental magnetic measurements support the obtained luminescence chronology. Further chronological time control was reached by age modelling based on tie points from variations in frequency dependence of magnetic susceptibility and benthic δ18O variations from the LR04 stack of Lisiecki and Raymo (2005). The grain-size record provided information about the environmental conditions and dust accumulation. Additional palaeoenvironmental implications were provided by room temperature magnetic susceptibility and colourimetric analyses and revealed a continuously lower intensity of pedogenesis, coupled with constantly decreasing temperatures and precipitation from the oxygen isotope stage (OIS) 9 to the end of OIS 3. X-ray diffraction of the clay mineral fraction revealed chlorite, smectite and illitic material as dominant mineral phases. While clay minerals from loess are mostly detrital, smectite from palaeosols is partly of a pedogenic origin. The application of our multi-proxy approach, including relative and numerical dating techniques, provided new insights into a highly resolved terrestrial paleoenvironmental record of Eastern Croatia.

Chronological and rock magnetic constraints on the transition of the Quaternary paleoclimate in the western Qaidam Basin, NE Tibetan Plateau

AbstractA closed Quaternary saline paleolake, currently still a lake and named Dalangtan after one of its largest sub-basins, has widely distributed sediments in the western Qaidam Basin, NE Tibetan Plateau. Lacustrine salt minerals and fine sediments from this paleolake provide an environmental record for investigating paleoclimatic evolution in the Asian interior. However, detailed continuous Pliocene–Quaternary paleoclimatic records are broadly lacking from the NE Tibetan Plateau owing to poor exposure of the outcrops in section. For this study, we performed a detailed magnetostratigraphic dating and rock magnetic analysis on a 590-m-long core from the SG-5 borehole in the western Qaidam Basin. The results demonstrate that the lacustrine sediments in the SG-5 borehole were deposited more than ~3.0 Ma. Saline minerals began to increase at 1.2 Ma, and the magnetic susceptibility (χ) also changed at that time; the percentage frequency-dependent magnetic susceptibility was relatively low and uniform throughout the whole core. These observations, combined with the χ, pollen, salt ion, and grain-size records from other boreholes, indicate that the western Qaidam Basin and the greater Asian interior had a significant climate transition at 1.2 Ma during an extreme drought.

Magnetic susceptibility in the European Loess Belt: New and existing models of magnetic enhancement in loess

Magnetic susceptibility measurements play a key role in Quaternary studies. Magnetic proxies, such as low field and frequency-dependent magnetic susceptibility, are widely applied in the reconstruction of terrestrial paleoclimate, e.g., in the study of loess-paleosol successions. In general, the interpretation of loess magnetic susceptibility signals is based on two commonly accepted models: the pedogenic magnetic enhancement and wind-vigour models. However, there are an increasing number of cases where such models cannot be used. These cases show unusual relationships between the two common loess magnetic susceptibility proxies: low field and frequency-dependent magnetic susceptibility. Such relationships have been attributed to various phenomena including the dissolution of fine-grain minerals and the formation of ultrafine magnetic rims on the surface of coarser grains by weathering. Despite the growing number of these exceptional cases of magnetic enhancement, our knowledge about the occurrence and potential causes of the unusual behaviour of magnetic susceptibility parameters is still limited. This, in turn, hinders the wider application of magnetic susceptibility parameters in loess. To fill this knowledge gap, magnetic susceptibility data of various profiles from the European Loess Belt were collected and compared to reveal various enhancement trends in loess. Along with the analysis of magnetic susceptibility parameters, combined scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and rock magnetic analyses were applied to samples from the Paks loess sequence in Hungary to describe some of the irregular cases, notably the cause of increasing frequency-dependent susceptibility in non-altered sediments. Analysis of loess, paleosol and common mineral samples separated from loess (e.g., muscovite) revealed that various features may be responsible for these increasing frequency-dependent susceptibility values: i) surface weathering (maghemitization) of coarser detrital grains, ii) nanofragmentation by physical weathering and iii) the appearance of significant amounts of ultrafine magnetic inclusions in micas. These special modes of magnetic enhancement of loess do not undermine the importance of the basic theories suggested above, but rather provide three mechanisms that account for some of the increasing number of unusual cases. To aid in the wider and more accurate use of magnetic susceptibility parameters in loess, we review the current magnetic enhancement models with special emphasis on the identification of unusual trends in magnetic enhancement and understanding their drivers.

Aeolian dust dynamics in the Fergana Valley, Central Asia, since ~30 ka inferred from loess deposits

Knowledge of the interactions among atmospheric dynamics, dust emissions and climate system is essential to understand the physical mechanisms for the dust lifecycle, their role in loess formation as well as the predictions of future dust concentration. However, these issues still remain relatively poorly known in Central Asia (CA). The extensive loess deposits on the CA pediments provide a promising archive to explore atmospheric dust dynamics and climatic conditions in the past and their association with loess formation. This study investigates the granulometric and magnetic properties of a loess section (named Osh section) in the Fergana Valley, which provides a sensitive record of atmospheric dust dynamics since 30 ka based on radiometric (AMS 14C) dating. The frequency-dependent magnetic susceptibility (χfd) and the mean grain size are used to reconstruct the broad-scale effective moisture and summer atmospheric dynamics pattern in CA, respectively. The results show that the precession forcing exerts a huge influence on the wind-regime variabilities in CA, but with different physical processes under the impact of the Northern Hemisphere ice sheet (NHIS) before and after 15 ka. The origin of the sedimentation rate variations in the Osh loess is also linked to the NHIS-modulated changes of the atmospheric circulation patterns. Either the strengthened westerlies or the increased surface roughness from higher vegetation cover in loess-deposition areas have significantly accelerated the loess accumulation. As a result, these complicated influence factors of sedimentation rate change in the Osh loess section, especially during the Holocene epoch, may hamper accessibility of the authentic dust emission flux and atmospheric dust concentration in CA.

Estimating the Relative Concentration of Superparamagnetic and Stable Single Domain Particles in Geological, Biological, and Synthetic Materials

Obtaining an estimate of the relative proportion of superparamagnetic (SP) to stable single-domain (SSD) particle sizes in a material can be useful in evaluating environmental conditions in natural materials, or in understanding the homogeneity of particle size and the degree of agglomeration in synthesized particles. Frequency dependent magnetic susceptibility is one of the most common methods used to identify SP particles in a material. The ability to detect SP particles, however, will be dependent on the field frequencies that can be applied. This study is concerned with evaluating three methods to estimate the SP content in a mixture of SSD and SP magnetite. We examine the use of the Day-Dunlop plot, first-order reversal curves (FORC) and principal component analysis (PCA), and the relationship between the reversible and irreversible magnetization as methods to evaluate qualitatively the relative contributions of SSD and SP magnetite in a material. Two series of mixtures of coated nanoparticles with a mean diameter of 20 and 11 nm are used as the SP end member and magnetosomes or intact magnetotactic bacterium of Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense as the SSD end member. The Day-Dunlop plot tracks the progressive change in hysteresis properties with growing SP concentration. PCA of FORC data is sensitive in detecting differences in the SP component, when the SP particle size are not too small; otherwise the ratio between the reversible and irreversible magnetization can better assess differences. The results from the series are used to evaluate the relative SP content in three further sets of samples: biological tissue, synthetic nanoparticles, and samples from natural environments, to assess the strengths and weaknesses in each approach.

Pleistocene dynamics of dust accumulation and soil formation in the southern Caspian Lowlands - New insights from the loess-paleosol sequence at Neka-Abelou, northern Iran

The southern Caspian Lowland sensitively reacted to Pleistocene climate change and is a key area for reconstructing climate dynamics and landscape evolution in Southern Eurasia. Loess-paleosol sequences (LPS) of the northern foothills of Alborz Mountains provide detailed records of climate-induced changes of dust accumulation and soil formation correlating with relatively dry or moist conditions of the past. The LPS at Neka-Abelou (NA) was studied in detail in order to understand these dynamics and provide a base for regional pedostratigraphic correlation. We have carried out high-resolution analyses of grain-size, sediment color, mass specific and frequency-dependent magnetic susceptibility and carbonate content and established a temporal framework as based on luminescence dating using a post-IR infrared stimulated luminescence (pIRIR) protocol and fading corrections. The LPS of NA is composed of finely textured loess, which is subdivided by at least eleven paleosols. Moreover, it contains a thin loess layer with lenses of trachytic tephra which most likely originated from the Damavand volcano and was deposited during Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 4. The lower part of the LPS at NA consists of four strongly-developed reddish-brown paleosols (Bt, Btg horizons) separated by thin layers of pedogenically-altered loess indicating moist climate conditions and low dust accumulation rates during the Middle Pleistocene or earlier. The central part contains a pedocomplex of clay-rich paleosols composed of well developed Bt, ABk and Bw horizons formed under strongly reduced dust accumulation rates and intercalated by loess layers. Pedostratigraphic reasoning suggests that this pedocomplex formed during MIS 5, which is corroborated by luminescence dating. The pedocomplex reflects precession time scale climate change and represents an excellent pedostratigraphic marker recognized in numerous exposures along the northern foothills of the Alborz Mountains. The upper part of the LPS accumulated during the Last Pleniglacial and contains probably six weakly developed synsedimentary paleosols (CBk horizons) as well as the modern soil (Bt horizon). Magnetic susceptibility records show very close similarity with the pleniglacial sequence of the LPS at Toshan located about 100 km farther to the east of the Caspian Lowlands suggesting that the weak paleosols at both locations have formed synchronously, which is supported by luminescence dating. Their presence thus reflects at least a regional-scale climate change between dry phases and those of slightly increased edaphic moisture with ongoing dust supply. The LPS of the Caspian Lowlands document a multitude of changes between dominance of dust accumulation or pedogenesis controlled by moisture availability in the context of Pleistocene climate change. The proposed regional pedostratigraphy for the Late Quaternary provides a scheme for large-scale stratigraphic correlation and reconstruction of climate change in Southern Eurasia.

Non-exponential magnetic relaxation in magnetic nanoparticles for hyperthermia

Magnetic nanoparticle based hyperthermia emerged as a potential tool for treating malignant tumours. The efficiency of the method relies heavily on the knowledge of magnetic properties of the samples; in particular, knowledge of the frequency dependent complex magnetic susceptibility is vital to optimize the irradiation conditions and to provide feedback for material science developments. We study the frequency-dependent magnetic susceptibility of an aqueous ferrite suspension for the first time using non-resonant and resonant radiofrequency reflectometry. We identify the optimal measurement conditions using a standard solenoid coil, which is capable of providing the complex magnetic susceptibility up to 150 MHz. The result matches those obtained from a radiofrequency resonator for a few discrete frequencies. The agreement between the two different methods validates our approach. Surprisingly, the dynamic magnetic susceptibility cannot be explained by an exponential magnetic relaxation behavior even when we consider a particle size-dependent distribution of the relaxation parameter.

Frequency-dependent magnetic susceptibility of magnetic nanoparticles in a polymer solution: a simulation study.

Magnetic composite materials i.e. elastomers, polymer gels, or polymer solutions with embedded magnetic nanoparticles are useful for many technical and bio-medical applications. However, the microscopic details of the coupling mechanisms between the magnetic properties of the particles and the mechanical properties of the (visco)elastic polymer matrix remain unresolved. Here we study the response of a single-domain spherical magnetic nanoparticle that is suspended in a polymer solution to alternating magnetic fields. As interactions we consider only excluded volume interactions with the polymers and hydrodynamic interactions mediated through the solvent. The AC susceptibility spectra are calculated using a linear response Green-Kubo approach, and the influences of changing polymer concentration and polymer length are investigated. Our data is compared to recent measurements of the AC susceptibility for a typical magnetic composite system [Roeben et al., Colloid Polym. Sci., 2014, 2013-2023], and demonstrates the importance of hydrodynamic coupling in such systems.

Vertical distribution of magnetic susceptibility as affected by pedoenvironmental factors along an arid and semi-arid transect, Fars Province, Iran

Soil magnetism provides valuable information about soil-landscape relationships and soil evolution. However, only limited number of studies on the relationship between soil magnetic properties and soil forming factors and processes, especially in arid and semi-arid regions, are available. The aim of this study was to determine vertical distribution of soil magnetic susceptibility and selected pedoenvironmental parameters and to interpret them in terms of the soil evolution. Eight representative soil profiles were selected on different geomorphic surfaces including alluvial fan, piedmont plain and flood plain. Soil samples were collected from different diagnostic horizons and analyzed for routine physico-chemical properties, different iron forms and magnetic susceptibility. The average values of magnetic susceptibility (χlf) and relative frequency-dependent magnetic susceptibility in the studied soils are 53.1 × 10−8 m3 kg−1 and 2.62%, respectively, with the latter ranging from 0 to 6.88%. The negative significant correlation (with correlation coefficient R = −0.48 and statistical significance p < 0.01) between soil evolution index (ratio of acid oxalate soluble and free Fe oxides — Feo/Fed) and χlf values indicated that χlf increased with soil evolution. A positive significant correlation between χlf and Fed (and Fed — Feo) values, and a negative significant correlation between χlf and CaCO3 values were observed. The vertical distribution of χlf along the studied profiles showed different patterns (uniform, non-uniform, ascending and descending) with depth. Overall, the results indicated that the χlf distribution along the soil profiles was affected by topography, distribution of different iron forms, soil evolution, and weathering rate in different soil layers.

Tracing of traffic-related pollution using magnetic properties of topsoils in Daejeon, Korea

The present study was designed to explore the possibility of roadside pollution screening using magnetic properties of topsoil samples in Daejeon, South Korea. Low-field magnetic susceptibility, frequency dependence of magnetic susceptibility, susceptibility of anhysteretic remanent magnetization, isothermal remanent magnetization (IRM) acquisition and demagnetization, back-field IRM treatment, and thermal demagnetization of composite IRM were determined for roadside topsoil samples. Magnetic susceptibility measured on 238 samples from the upper 5 cm of the topsoils ranged from 8.6 to 82.5 × 10–5 SI with a mean of 28.3 ± 10.8 × 10–5 SI. The proximal zone, 55 m wide area situated on either side of the main street, exhibited an enhancement of magnetic susceptibility. In areas distant from the main street, low magnetic susceptibility (< 50 × 10–5 SI) was observed. The topsoil samples exhibited significant susceptibility contrasts, suggesting that two dimensional magnetic mapping was effective in identifying traffic-related pollution. A few magnetic hotspots with intensities of magnetic susceptibility near or over 50 × 10–5 SI might reflect the difference in topographic elevation and surface morphology. Among various IRM-related parameters, remanence of coercivity was most significant statistically. In most samples, IRM component analysis provided dual coercivity components. Thermal demagnetization of composite IRM and morphological observation of magnetic separates suggest angular magnetite produced by vehicle non-exhaust emissions spherical magnetite derived from exhaust emission to be the dominant contributors to the magnetic signal. It is likely that lower- and higher-coercivity components represent the presence of coarse-grained angular magnetite and fine-grained spherical magnetite, respectively.

Moisture evolution in Central Asia since 26 ka: Insights from a Kyrgyz loess section, Western Tian Shan

Central Asia (CA) is located in the hinterland of the Eurasian continent, and faces an extreme risk of continued aridification under the current global warming trend. To predict future climate change in CA, paleoclimate studies provide essential references. However, the mechanisms underlying climate changes in CA remain relatively poorly known. Here, we investigate moisture variations in CA, as recorded in a 6-m loess section in the Western Tian Shan, Kyrgyzstan, which has accumulated since ∼26 ka based on the radiometric AMS 14C dating. We reconstructed the evolution of the wind regime and moisture conditions in the Western Tian Shan with a modified grain size index (GSIm) and a new L∗ proxy (ΔL∗). While the frequency-dependent magnetic susceptibility (χfd), redness (a∗) and yellowness (b∗) did not provide reliable paleoclimatic indicators, due to weak pedogenesis and other controlling factors. The GSIm records demonstrated a precipitation maximum in summer before ∼15 ka, shifting to a maximum in spring after ∼15 ka, probably associated with large-scale modulation of the latitudinal climatic zones and atmospheric circulation in response to retreat of the Northern Hemisphere ice sheets. Based on the ΔL∗ records, we place emphases on the important role of temperature-modulated evaporation in moisture evolution across CA; however, this has only influenced moisture evolution in spring and summer, with little effect on winter moisture conditions. Moreover, the ΔL∗ records may also indicate that atmospheric humidity can partly affect the long-term effective moisture variations.

Imprints of paleo-environmental conditions and human activities in mineral magnetic properties of fired clay remains from Neolithic houses

Fire as a global phenomenon plays crucial role in the Earth’s climate feedbacks and forcing. However, human’s influence is becoming increasingly important during the Anthropocene epoch. Burnt Neolithic houses are among the most impressive remains from fire-related ancient human activities. Mineral magnetic properties and firing temperature estimates using magnetic susceptibility method were carried out on a collection of burnt clay remains from house destructions originating from 18 Neolithic sites from Bulgaria. All of the sites/dwellings ended their existence after extensive fire. The general aim of the study was to explore the mineral magnetic properties of fired clay materials against the most important environmental factors. The main magnetic minerals identified in the burnt structures were magnetite, maghemite and hematite, as well as recently reported in several studies ε-Fe2O3. The latter evidences high intensity fire since this specific mineral can be synthesized at temperatures exceeding 900 °C. Magnetic susceptibility and percent frequency dependent magnetic susceptibility at site level were considered in relation to the climatic conditions, as defined in the published anthracological studies involving most of the sites. The major difference in lithology of the outcropping rock formations between North and South Bulgaria may influence variations in magnetic enhancement of the burnt clay across the sites at similar other conditions. Firing temperature estimates vary in wide range – between 580 °C and 1050 °C. Estimated average firing temperatures at site’s level showed higher values in Early Neolithic sites (Tfire average = 815 °C) as compared to Late Neolithic ones (Tfire average = 746 °C and 713 °C). We suggest that possible hypotheses for the trend observed could be: difference in climate regimes across the territory, leading to different “fire weather”; or difference in the vegetation fuel used in house construction; and intentional burning of Early Neolithic houses.

Variations of Thermally and Optically Stimulated Luminescence Sensitivity of Loess and Pedocomplex Samples from Southern Tajikistan, Central Asia

To better understand the factors controlling the quartz luminescence sensitivity in loess deposits, samples from two loess sections in southern Tajikistan are investigated. Both pattern and amplitude in the variations of quartz luminescence sensitivity of these two sections are similar, showing higher values in pedocomplex units and lower values in the loess units. Similar trends of variation are found between the quartz luminescence sensitivity and climate proxies, including frequency-dependent magnetic susceptibility, median grain size and IRSL/[post-IR] OSL ratio. Laboratory experiments involving thermal activation and repeated bleaching/irradiation cycles reveal much larger sensitivity enhancement for samples with initial lower sensitivity from loess units than those from pedocomplex units with higher sensitivity. The observed systematic contrast in quartz luminescence sensitivity between the loess and pedocomplex units are interpreted as resulting from the differentiation of the weathering products from the source area and subsequent sensitization during the sedimentary transfer prior to deposition.

Archaeomagnetic investigations in Bolgar (Tatarstan)

The objective of this study is to provide a well-dated point for a future palaeosecular variation (PSV) reference curve for western Russia. For this purpose archaeomagnetic and magnetic property analyses were carried out on a pottery kiln unearthed at the UNESCO World Heritage site of ancient Bolgar, having a rather precise age dating. The archaeological context provided an age between 1340 and 1360 C.E. The characteristic remanence vector was determined through alternating field demagnetisation and Thellier-Thellier palaeointensity experiments. Some innovations were introduced regarding palaeointensity. The check testing the equality of blocking and unblocking temperature was redefined. This allowed waiving the commonly used additional zero-field cooling steps during the Thellier-Thellier experiment. Another innovation concerns the calculation of archaeointensity at structure level. A Bayesian approach was introduced for averaging individual specimen archaeointensities using a prior probability distribution of unknown uncertainties. Next, an additional prior probability distribution was used to correct for cooling rate effects. This resulted in a lower uncertainty compared to common practice and in eluding time consuming cooling rate experiments. The complex magnetic mineralogy consists of maghaemite, multi-domain haematite and Al-substituted haematite. Some samples contained also some non-stoichiometric magnetite. The magnetic mineralogy was determined through hysteresis loops, backfield and remanence decay curves, measurements of the frequency dependence of magnetic susceptibility and through low temperature magnetisation curves. Accompanying high-temperature thermomagnetic analyses revealed an excellent thermo-chemical stability of the studied specimens. Directions obtained from alternating field demagnetisation and those extracted from archaeointensity experiments are congruent and have low uncertainties. The obtained archaeomagnetic results are fairly in agreement with global geomagnetic field models and contemporary PSV data of the wider area. The geomagnetic field vector obtained for ancient Bolgar is of high quality, deserving thus its inclusion in a future PSV reference curve for European Russia.