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A method for the study of quaternary environmental evolution of the Loess Plateau in China

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Abstract

A method for obtaining quantitative information on palaeoenvironmental evolution from the loess stratum is approached in this paper.

  1. 1.

    Twelve typical Holocene loess profiles in Loess Plateau have been studied. A quantitative relation was found between the total ferric oxide content (TFOC) of modern surface loess and modern climate conditions. The increase of TFOC by 1% indicates an increase of annual mean precipitation by 246 mm or a rise of mean January temperature by 5.8 C°.

  2. 2.

    The corresponding relation between the oak(Quercus) forests and the climatic conditions of the Loess Plateau and adjacent mountainous areas to the south has also been studied. A detailed classification of vegetation ecotypes using generic differences in arboreal family differences in herb plants of an oak forest is suggested, which may improve the reliability of palaeoclimatic reconstructions from spore and pollen data.

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References

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology, 050803, Zhending, Hebei, PR China

    Zhang Zonghu & Wei Mingjian

  2. Xi'an College of Geology, 710054, Xi'an, Shaanxi, PR China

    Zhao Jingpo

Authors
  1. Zhang Zonghu
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  2. Wei Mingjian
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  3. Zhao Jingpo
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Zhang, Z., Wei, M. & Zhao, J. A method for the study of quaternary environmental evolution of the Loess Plateau in China. GeoJournal 36, 193–197 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00813168

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00813168

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