干旱区研究

Arid Zone Research >

2025 , Vol. 42 >Issue 9: 1681 - 1690

DOI: https://doi.org/10.13866/j.azr.2025.09.12

Desertification Control

OSL dating of typical eolian sand profiles in the Mu Us Sandy Land since 12.6 ka and its significance

  • HUANG Long ,
  • DU Qimin ,
  • LI Minqi ,
  • Gusiletu ,
  • SI Yuejun ,
  • HUANG Rihui ,
  • HANG Xiaoju ,
  • NIU Dongfeng
Expand
  • 1. School of Geographical Sciences, Lingnan Normal University, Zhanjiang 524048, Guangdong, China
    2. Sjara-osso-gol Archeological Site Park Authority Administration, Uxin Banner 017300, Inner Mongolia, China

Received date: 2024-09-04

  Revised date: 2024-11-22

  Online published: 2025-09-16

Fold

Abstract

The environmental evolution of the Mu Us Sandy Land is highly sensitive to global climate change, with its eolian sand and paleosoil series predominantly influenced by the East Asian monsoon system. However, the paleo-environmental response of the Mu Us Sandy Land to monsoon variations displays nonlinear characteristics in certain local regions, increasing the uncertainty in reconstructing regional climatic and environmental changes from eolian sediment records. This study employs optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) method to analyze 8 eolian sediment samples from 3 profiles in the Mu Us Sandy Land. The results indicate that: (1) The accumulation of eolian sand layers primarily occurred at approximately 12.6 ka and 0.1 ka, corresponding to relatively cold and dry climatic conditions, whereas paleosoil layers mainly developed at approximately 6.9 ka and between 9.6 ka and 4.2 ka, likely associated with the Holocene Climate Optimum. This indicates that the evolution of the Mu Us Sandy Land is closely linked to paleoclimate variations. (2) At approximately 12.6 ka, eolian sand layers were present in the southeastern part of the Mu Us Sandy Land but appeared absent in the interior region, possibly suggesting that variations in wind strength and local geographical and geomorphological features are significant factors influencing regional sediment deposition and accumulation. (3) Differences and similarities in the timing of paleosoil development initiation and cessation within interior profiles of the Mu Us Sandy Land may be attributed to local ecological processes, topography, and climatic events. (4) The absence of middle and late Holocene deposits in the southeastern region may be related to fluvial erosion, whereas the uppermost young eolian sand layer observed in the central profiles may suggest an increase in eolian activity due to recent regional aridification.

Key words： OSL dating; eolian deposition; influencing factors; Mu Us Sandy Land

Cite this article

HUANG Long , DU Qimin , LI Minqi , Gusiletu , SI Yuejun , HUANG Rihui , HANG Xiaoju , NIU Dongfeng . OSL dating of typical eolian sand profiles in the Mu Us Sandy Land since 12.6 ka and its significance[J]. Arid Zone Research, 2025 , 42(9) : 1681 -1690 . DOI: 10.13866/j.azr.2025.09.12

References

[1] 刘东生. 黄土与环境[M]. 北京: 科学出版社, 1985.
  [Liu Dongsheng. Loess and Environment[M]. Beijing: Science Press, 1985.]
[2] Sun J M, Ding Z L. Deposits and soils of the past 130000 years at the desert-loess transition in northern China[J]. Quaternary Research, 1998, 50(2): 148-156.
[3] 董光荣, 李保生, 高尚玉, 等. 鄂尔多斯高原的第四纪古风成沙[J]. 地理学报, 1983, 38(4): 341-347.
  [Dong Guangrong, Li Baosheng, Gao Shangyu, et al. The Quaternary ancient eolian sand in the Ordos Plateau[J]. Acta Geographica Sinica, 1983, 38(4): 341-347.]
[4] He Z, Zhou J, Lai Z P, et al. Quartz OSL dating of sand dunes of Late Pleistocene in the Mu Us Desert in northern China[J]. Quaternary Geochronology, 2010, 5(2-3): 102-106.
[5] 马冀, 岳乐平, 杨利荣, 等. 毛乌素沙漠东南缘全新世剖面光释光年代及古气候意义[J]. 第四纪研究, 2011, 31(1): 120-129.
  [Ma Ji, Yue Leping, Yang Lirong, et al. OSL dating of Holocene sequence and palaeoclimate change record in southeastern margin of Mu Us Desert, North China[J]. Quaternary Sciences, 2011, 31(1): 120-129.]
[6] Xu Z W, Lu H Y, Yi S W, et al. Climate-driven changes to dune activity during the Last Glacial Maximum and deglaciation in the Mu Us field, north-central China[J]. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 2015, 427: 149-159.
[7] Sun J M, Ding Z L, Liu T S, et al. 580000-year environmental reconstruction from aeolian deposits at the Mu Us Desert margin, China[J]. Quaternary Science Reviews, 1999, 18(12): 1351-1364.
[8] 高尚玉, 王贵勇, 哈斯, 等. 末次冰期以来中国季风区西北边缘沙漠演化研究[J]. 第四纪研究, 2001, 21(1): 66-71.
  [Gao Shangyu, Wang Guiyong, Ha Si, et al. A case study on desert evolution in the northwestern fringe of monsoon area, China since the last glacial epoch[J]. Quaternary Sciences, 2001, 21(1): 66-71.]
[9] 徐志伟, 鹿化煜, 弋双文, 等. 末次盛冰期和全新世大暖期毛乌素沙地的空间变化[J]. 第四纪研究, 2013, 33(2): 218-227.
  [Xu Zhiwei, Lu Huayu, Yi Shuangwen, et al. Spatial variations of the Mu Us dune field (north central China) during the Last Glacial Maximum and Holocene Optimum[J]. Quaternary Sciences, 2013, 33(2): 218-227.]
[10] Mason J A, Lu H Y, Zhou Y L, et al. Dune mobility and aridity at the desert margin of northern China at a time of peak monsoon strength[J]. Geology, 2009, 37(10): 947-950.
[11] 靳鹤龄, 董光荣, 苏志珠. 全新世沙漠—黄土边界带空间格局的重建[J]. 科学通报, 2001, 46(7): 538-543.
  [Jin Heling, Dong Guangrong, Su Zhizhu. Reconstruction of the spatial pattern of the desert-loess boundary during the Holocene[J]. Chinese Science Bulletin, 2001, 46(7): 538-543.]
[12] Liang P, Li H, Zhou Y, et al. The enigma and complexity of landscape dynamics in Chinese deserts: From case studies to big data[J]. Past Global Changes Magazine, 2021, 29(1): 40-41.
[13] 周亚利, 鹿化煜, 张家富, 等. 高精度光释光测年揭示的晚第四纪毛乌素和浑善达克沙地沙丘的固定与活化过程[J]. 中国沙漠, 2005, 25(3): 342-350.
  [Zhou Yali, Lu Huayu, Zhang Jiafu, et al. Active and inactive phases of sand-dune in Mu Us and Otindag Sandlands during late Quaternary suggested by OSL dating[J]. Journal of Desert Research, 2005, 25(3): 342-350.]
[14] 鹿化煜, Stevens T, 弋双文, 等. 高密度光释光测年揭示的距今约15-10 ka黄土高原侵蚀事件[J]. 科学通报, 2006, 51(23): 2767-2772.
  [Lu Huayu, Stevens T, Yi Shuangwen, et al. An erosional hiatus in Chinese loess sequences revealed by closely spaced optical dating[J]. Chinese Science Bulletin, 2006, 51(23): 2767-2772.]
[15] Yang X P, Scuderi L A, Wang X L, et al. Groundwater sapping as the cause of irreversible desertification of Hunshandake Sandy Lands, Inner Mongolia, northern China[J]. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2015, 112(3): 702-706.
[16] Wen P H, Wang N A, Wang Y X, et al. Fluvial incision caused irreversible environmental degradation of an ancient city in the Mu Us Desert, China[J]. Quaternary Research, 2020, 99: 1-13.
[17] Li S H, Chen Y Y, Li B, et al. OSL dating of sediments from deserts in northern China[J]. Quaternary Geochronology, 2007, 2(1-4): 23-28.
[18] 杨小平, 梁鹏, 方伊曼, 等. 中国沙漠与环境演变[M]. 北京: 科学出版社, 2024.
  [Yang Xiaoping, Liang Peng, Fang Yiman, et al. Chinese Desserts and Environmental Changes[M]. Beijing: Science Press, 2024.]
[19] 李孝泽, 董光荣, 靳鹤龄, 等. 鄂尔多斯白垩系沙丘岩的发现[J]. 科学通报, 1999, 44(8): 874-877.
  [Li Xiaoze, Dong Guangrong, Jin Heling, et al. Discovery of the Ordos Cretaceous dune rocks[J]. Science Bulletin, 1999, 44(8): 874-877.]
[20] 海龙. 毛乌素沙地杨柴人工灌木林土壤有机碳与呼吸作用特征研究[D]. 呼和浩特: 内蒙古农业大学, 2023.
  [Hai Long. Study on Soil Organic Carbon and Cellular Respiration Characteristics of Poplar artificial shrub in Mu Us Sandy Land[D]. Hohhot: Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, 2023.]
[21] Murray A S, Wintle A G. Luminescence dating of quartz using an improved single-aliquot regenerative dose protocol[J]. Radiation Measurements, 2000, 32(1): 57-73.
[22] Wintle A G, Murray A S. A review of quartz optically stimulated luminescence characteristics and their relevance in single-aliquot regeneration dating protocols[J]. Radiation Measurements, 2006, 41(4): 369-391.
[23] Duller G A T. Single-grain optical dating of Quaternary sediments: Why aliquot size matters in luminescence dating[J]. Boreas, 2008, 37(4): 589-612.
[24] Prescott J R, Hutton J T. Cosmic ray contributions to dose rates for luminescence and ESR dating: Large depths and long-term time variations[J]. Radiation Measurements, 1994, 23(2): 497-500.
[25] Zhang A, Long H, Yang F, et al. Reconstructing mollisol formation processes through quantified pedoturbation[J]. Geophysical Research Letters, 2024, 51(11): e2024GL108189.
[26] 杨萍. 中国东部沙区全新世砂质古土壤与古气候变化[D]. 金华: 浙江师范大学, 2014.
  [Yang Ping. Paleocuimate Changes of Deserts of Eastern China Recorded by Sandy Paleosoi[D]. Jinhua: Zhejiang Normal University, 2014.]
[27] Lu H, Yi S, Liu Z, et al. Variation of East Asian monsoon precipitation during the past 21 k. y. and potential CO2 forcing[J]. Geology, 2013, 41(9): 1023-1026.
[28] Laskar J, Robutel P, Joutel F, et al. A long-term numerical solution for the insolation quantities of the earth[J]. Astronomy & Astrophysics, 2004, 428(1): 261-285.
[29] 韩瑞, 苏志珠, 李想, 等. 粒度和磁化率记录的毛乌素沙地东缘全新世气候变化[J]. 中国沙漠, 2019, 39(2): 105-114.
  [Han Rui, Su Zhizhu, Li Xiang, et al. Holocene climate change revealed by grain size and magnetic susceptibility in the eastern Mu Us Sandy Land[J]. Journal of Desert Research, 2019, 39(2): 105-114.]
[30] 徐志伟, 鹿化煜. 毛乌素沙地风沙环境变化研究的理论和新认识[J]. 地理学报, 2021, 76(9): 2203-2223.
  [Xu Zhiwei, Lu Huayu. Aeolian environmental change studies in the Mu Us Sandy Land, north-central China: Theory and recent progress[J]. Acta Geographica Sinica, 2021, 76(9): 2203-2223.]
[31] 牛东风, 李保生, 王丰年, 等. 微量元素记录的毛乌素沙漠全新世气候波动——以萨拉乌苏流域DGS1层段为例[J]. 沉积学报, 2015, 33(4): 735-743.
  [Niu Dongfeng, Li Baosheng, Wang Fengnian, et al. Holocene climate fluctuations from the record of trace elements in the Mu Us Desert: Evidence from the DGS1 segment of the Salawusu River Valley[J]. Acta Sedimentologica Sinica, 2015, 33(4): 735-743.]
[32] Xu Z W, Mason J A, Xu C, et al. Critical transitions in Chinese dunes during the past 12000 years[J]. Science Advances, 2020, 6(9): eaay8020.
[33] Miao Y, Jin H, Cui J. Human activity accelerating the rapid desertification of the Mu Us Sandy Lands, North China[J]. Scientific Reports, 2016, 6(1): 23003.
[34] Shu P, Kang S, Shi Z, et al. Southward migration of the monsoonal rainbelt hinders paleosol development and preservation in north-central China dunefield after the Middle-Late Holocene Transition[J]. Quaternary Science Reviews, 2023, 301: 107919.
[35] Nie J S, Stevens T, Rittner M, et al. Loess plateau storage of northeastern Tibetan Plateau-derived Yellow river sediment[J]. Nature Communications, 2015, 6: 8511.
[36] 杨兴迪, 刘小槺, 李怡静, 等. 末次间冰期以来毛乌素沙漠河湖相沉积发育年代起讫[J]. 干旱区资源与环境, 2024, 38(6): 99-109.
  [Yang Xingdi, Liu Xiaokang, Li Yijing, et al. The beginning and the end of fluvial lacustrine sedimentary development in the Mu Us Desert since the last interglacial[J]. Journal of Arid Land Resources and Environment, 2024, 38(6): 99-109.]
[37] 李保生, 董光荣, 高尚玉, 等. 萨拉乌苏河地区晚更新世环境演化[J]. 地理研究, 1989, 8(2): 64-73.
  [Li Baosheng, Dong Guangrong, Gao Shangyu, et al. Sedimentary palaeogeographic environment of Upper Pleistocene strata and its evolution in the Salawusu River Area[J]. Geographical Research, 1988, 8(2): 64-73.]
Options
Outlines

/

〈 〉