Arid Zone Research ›› 2021, Vol. 38 ›› Issue (1): 257-266.doi: 10.13866/j.azr.2021.01.27

• Ecology and Environment • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Magnetic properties of Lop Nur saline sediments and the environmental implications

LI Wen1,2(),MU Guijin2,LIN Yongchong3,ZHANG Huijuan1,WU Wangyang1   

  1. 1. School of Earth Sciences, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, Jiangxi, China
    2. Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, Xinjiang, China
    3. School of history and Geography, Minnan Normal University, Zhangzhou 363000, Fujian, China
  • Received:2020-03-23 Revised:2020-05-15 Online:2021-01-15 Published:2021-03-05

Abstract:

This article presents the particle size, total organic matter, rock magnetic, and x-ray diffraction analyses of saline lake sediments, aeolian sands, Tramarix cone, and yardangs sediments distributed along the west bank of Lop Nur. The aim was to investigate the vertical variations and influencing factors of magnetic characteristics, as well as the paleoenvironmental implications. Based on the magnetic properties, Lop Nur sediments can be divided into two types. In oxidizing environments, sediment magnetic properties are dominated by magnetite, which is consistent with the source materials (Tarim Basin) and are unaffected by early diagenesis. In reducing environments, sediment magnetic properties are dominated by authigenic iron sulfide (greigite and pyrite), which formed in the early diagenesis process. Layers that are dominated by greigite or pyrite have markedly higher or lower χ, SIRM, χARM, and χARM/χ and S-300 mT, respectively, reflect the significant impact of early diagenesis on magnetic properties in the Lop Nur. Combined with the results of chronology from a previous study, we determined that the iron sulfide-bearing sediments were deposited during cold and wet periods, which were probably caused by the North Atlantic cold events that occurred throughout the past 3400 yr. During these periods, iron sulfide formation was likely driven by an enhanced organic matter supply. The magnetic parameters of Lop Nur sediments can be regarded as an indicator of the hydrological and climatic evolution of the Tarim Basin.

Key words: magnetic properties, early diagenesis, saline lake, climate change, Lop Nur