Climate Change Research

Climate Change Research

The role of main elements distribution and evaluation of loess weathering indexes in reconstruction of ancient climatic changes in Golestan province

Document Type : Original Article

Author
Arash Amini
Department of Geology - Golestan University- Gorgan - Iran
10.30488/ccr.2024.468797.1229
Abstract
Loesses are one of the most important indicators of Quaternary climate changes. Golestan province, as one of the most extended loess areas in the northeast of Iran, links the loess of Central Asia with the loess of Eurasia. In this study, the geochemical composition (main elements) and the weathering rate of the loess of Golestan province were comparatively analyzed in 16 stations scattered throughout three main areas. Geochemical evaluation of the Golestan loess showed different percentages of SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, CaO, MgO, Na2O and K2O oxides in its chemical composition. SiO2, which was the most abundant oxide, increased with the increase of Al2O3, indicating the abundance of aluminosilicate minerals such as feldspars and mica. The loess weathering rate was measured using 5 different indices. The results showed that the sediment weathering rate increased from Region 3 (east and northeast) to Region 1 (west), which could be attributed to the wetter climate of Region 1. These indices also indicated an average chemical change in the loess of Golestan province. Evaluation of the main oxides changes and their correlation with the weathering indices directly illustrated the ancient climatic changes in the study area. Comparative analyses of the five indices revealed that the use of CPA index, as the most suitable index with the least error, could be recommended for the Golestan loess.
Keywords
Loess
Climate change reconstruction
Geochemistry
Weathering index
Golestan

Subjects

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