Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Xiulan Zong, Yougui Song, Jibao Dong, Yue Li, Weiguo Liu, Yunning Cao, Meng Xing, Huifang Liu, Jing Hu
Summary: Land snails on the Chinese Loess Plateau are valuable climatic indicators in paleoclimate reconstruction. This study focuses on small modern land snails and their climatic significance. The results show that δ（13）Cshell can be a reliable precipitation proxy, while δ（18）Oshell exhibits poor correlations with various climatic parameters.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Fengjiang Li, Naiqin Wu, Yajie Dong, Yiquan Yang, Yueting Zhang, Dan Zhang, Qingzhen Hao, Houyuan Lu
Summary: Using a time series of land-snail eggs from the Chinese Loess Plateau, researchers found that seasonal climatic instability during MIS 11 intensifies during glacial initiation or transition. The intensity of seasonal cooling events between low-eccentricity glacials and interglacials differs, with the former experiencing stronger events.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Jianqi Zhuang, Penghui Ma, Jiewei Zhan, Yi Zhu, Jiaxu Kong, Xinghua Zhu, Yanqiu Leng, Jianbing Peng
Summary: This paper studies the relationships and influential factors of landslides in the densely distributed Chinese Loess Plateau (CLP). It finds that the area-volume relationship of landslides follows a power law trend and that the majority of landslides are long run-out landslides. The size of landslides increases with an increase in hypsometric integral, and factors such as loess thickness, human activities, and slope have both positive and negative effects on landslides in the CLP. The study also suggests that landslide risk will increase with climate change.
GEOMATICS NATURAL HAZARDS & RISK
(2022)
Article
Geology
Haobo Zhang, Junsheng Nie, Xiangjun Liu, Alex Pullen, Guoqiang Li, Wenbin Peng, Hanzhi Zhang
Summary: The loess sequences of the Chinese Loess Plateau provide a comprehensive paleoclimatic archive for the Neogene-Quaternary period. Geochronology data reveal spatial variability in sediment provenance across the plateau, with at least three distinct provenance zones recognized. This challenges the traditional view that attributes Quaternary loess primarily to deserts north and west of the plateau, suggesting a more significant role of fluvial processes and precipitation in dust production. The nonuniformity in sediment provenance raises questions about the validity of using CLP-derived paleoclimate information for regional interpretations.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Xiaoyu Zhu, Jessica Gray, Ying Gu, Tong He
Summary: This study investigated the sources of sediments in different areas of the Chinese Loess Plateau (CLP) using SEM and material modal composite analysis. The results show that the formation of loess particles is related to differential weathering and precipitation mediated dissolution. The changes in hornblende concentrations provide evidence for sediment provenance in the deserts north and west of CLP. Understanding sediment sources is crucial for tracing Asian monsoon evolution and may challenge the interpretation of the monsoon mechanism.
GEOCHEMISTRY GEOPHYSICS GEOSYSTEMS
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Jianguo Xiong, Ying Wang, Vincenzo Picotti, Huiping Zhang, Qingri Liu, Xudong Zhao, Xin Su, Xiuli Zhang, Youli Li, Peizhen Zhang
Summary: Previous studies suggest that the northeastern Tibetan Plateau is the major source area for the Chinese Loess Plateau. However, the origin of the eastern CLP and the relationship between loess and proximal river sediments have never been systematically studied, which hinders our understanding of the surface process between source and sink.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-EARTH SURFACE
(2023)
Article
Water Resources
Ze Tao, Hongchen Li, Eric Neil, Bingcheng Si
Summary: The study focused on groundwater recharge in hillslopes on the Chinese Loess Plateau, finding that recharge is primarily facilitated by soil matrix flow and rates are lower than on flat landscapes. Recharge rates ranged from 24.5 to 33.8 mm yr(-1), accounting for 4%-7% of long-term precipitation. Groundwater recharges were mainly controlled by soil texture and land use changes, with little impact from climatic differences between watersheds.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY-REGIONAL STUDIES
(2021)
Article
Geology
Yuanyuan Xiao, Shengying Wu, Peishan Sui, Yaoling Niu, Weidong Sun, Guodong Wang, Juanjuan Kong, Fengli Shao, Xiaohong Wang, Hongmei Gong, Meng Duan, Zihang Huang
Summary: The Chinese Loess Plateau is the largest loess deposit on Earth. It has been found that most elements in the loess samples are significantly correlated with La or Al2O3, indicating their presence in particle minerals during weathering, transport, and deposition.
INTERNATIONAL GEOLOGY REVIEW
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Kai Hou, Hui Qian, Yuting Zhang, Qiying Zhang, Wengang Qu
Summary: The Loess Plateau is crucial for studying global climate change and regional responses, with findings revealing ancient climatic information through microstructure analysis of loess and paleosols. The formation of loess layers is influenced by various transport and pedogenic forces, with a conceptual model established for the Weihe Basin. This research sheds light on regional climatic environmental evolution and the atmospheric circulation system in East Asia.
Article
Geography, Physical
Shunchuan Ji, Long Ma, Junsheng Nie, Shengyun Chen, Youbin Sun, Daniel O. Breecker
Summary: Soil respiration is crucial for understanding CO2 fluxes, with spatial S(z) variations mainly controlled by monsoonal precipitation. Monitoring work in higher precipitation areas is needed for better constraint of S(z) values.
PALAEOGEOGRAPHY PALAEOCLIMATOLOGY PALAEOECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Geography, Physical
Pan Yan, Zhiyong Xiao, Guoqiao Xiao, Qing Pan, Hejiu Hui, Yunhua Wu, Yizhen Ma, Yongjiang Xu
Summary: The research focused on the Australasian microtektites in the Chinese Loess Plateau revealed potential microtektites but ultimately did not discover any, suggesting that microtektites are not widespread stratigraphic markers in the CLP. The study also confirmed that microtektites in this strewn field were preferentially deposited at the downrange of the impactor trajectory.
PALAEOGEOGRAPHY PALAEOCLIMATOLOGY PALAEOECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Soil Science
Yongpeng Nie, Wankui Ni, Xiangfei Lu, Wenxin Tuo, Kangze Yuan
Summary: Understanding the mechanical behavior of compacted loess is crucial for construction on the Loess Plateau. Through a series of tests, including compression tests, shear tests, and scanning electron microscope imaging, the variations in compressibility, shear strength, and microstructure of compacted loess at different dry densities and water contents were investigated. The relationship between pore microscopic indicators and mechanical parameters was analyzed through statistical analysis. The results showed that the compression coefficient decreases with increasing dry density and cohesion and internal friction angle decrease with increasing water content. The structure of compacted loess evolves from overhead-mosaic-flocculation with increasing compactness and saturation.
SOIL & TILLAGE RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Haopeng Geng, Ru Liu, Weishan Zheng, Yunbo Zhang, Rong Xie, Yu Guo, Baotian Pan
Summary: This study provides the first direct evidence of the interaction between biotic burrowing and loess cave formation, revealing the temporal and spatial dynamics between the two processes. The results indicate that biotic burrowing promotes spatial heterogeneity of loess cave distribution and may influence the distribution of active areas of biotic disturbance.
FRONTIERS IN EARTH SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Pinglang Kou, Qiang Xu, Zhao Jin, Ali P. Yunus, Xiaobo Luo, Minghao Liu
Summary: In this study, it was found that nearly 80% of the study area in the Chinese Loess Plateau has undergone greening, with human land use management rather than rainfall being the main driver for rapid vegetation change. Urban expansion was identified as the primary driver for rapid vegetation browning. Additionally, GDP growth was found to promote both browning and greening, demonstrating sustainable development in the region. These findings highlight the complex relationship between human activities and vegetation dynamics in the Loess Plateau.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Narges Kariminejad, Hamid Reza Pourghasemi, Sedigheh Maleki, Mohsen Hosseinalizadeh
Summary: The study analyzed the impact of exchangeable sodium percentage on soil structure and drainage, and used multiple models for prediction and evaluation. The results indicate that sodium adsorption ratio and slope steepness are the most important factors affecting ESP.
GEOCARTO INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Geography, Physical
A. Avram, D. Constantin, Q. Hao, A. Timar-Gabor
Summary: Loess deposits in southeastern China are important for paleoclimate reconstruction. Luminescence dating of a loess-paleosol sequence in northern Jiangsu Province using SAR-OSL and pIRIR protocols revealed accurate ages up to -70 ka, confirming Last Glaciation deposition. However, beyond 70 ka, quartz ages are underestimated while pIRIR ages are likely overestimated, highlighting the challenges of dating methods for older samples.
QUATERNARY GEOCHRONOLOGY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Wenchao Zhang, Haibin Wu, Qin Li, Zhengyu Liu, Jun Cheng
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Qida Jiang, Zaijun Li, Qingzhen Hao
Summary: This study investigates the surface processes in the Tengger Desert of China and their response to long-term global cooling. The study suggests that glaciation in high latitudes and high mountains of the Northern Hemisphere have a significant impact on wind-blown sand and fluvial sand in Chinese deserts.
Article
Geology
Junjie Zhang, Qingzhen Hao, Sheng-Hua Li
Summary: This study conducted high-resolution luminescence dating on the loess-paleosol sequences of the Chinese Loess Plateau, extending the age framework to 350 ka. The results indicate continuous loess accumulation at Luochuan on orbital timescales and provide new evidence supporting age reassignment.
Article
Geology
Guangyan Zhou, Long Li, Guoqiao Xiao, Luo Yan, D. Graham Pearson, Qingzhen Hao, Yuanbao Wu
Summary: This study presents a new approach to determine the provenance of eolian sediments from the Chinese Loess Plateau. By using a multi-proxy (zircon, monazite, and rutile) U/Th-Pb geochronology approach, the researchers found spatial variability in sediment provenance and its potential relationship with westerly/northwesterly winds. These findings have important implications for the study of the provenance of eolian deposits worldwide.
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Hao Lu, Qiuzhen Yin, Zhipeng Wu, Feng Shi, Qingzhen Hao, Dunsheng Xia, Zhengtang Guo
Summary: In this study, loess records and climate simulation results were used to compare the climate differences between MIS-9 and MIS-11 in China and central Asia. The results showed that MIS-9 was relatively wetter in southern central Asia due to higher insolation and that both insolation and greenhouse gases contributed to slightly higher precipitation and evaporation in northern China during MIS-9 compared to MIS-11. Additionally, the higher insolation and greenhouse gas concentration during MIS-9 generated an anomalous atmospheric circulation pattern similar to the negative phase of the North Atlantic Oscillation, favoring precipitation increase in southern central Asia.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-ATMOSPHERES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Wenchao Zhang, Haibin Wu, Jun Cheng, Junyan Geng, Qin Li, Yong Sun, Yanyan Yu, Huayu Lu, Zhengtang Guo
Summary: The study presents an extensive dataset of Holocene seasonal temperatures reconstructed using pollen records in the Northern Hemisphere. The results show that both summer and winter temperatures warmed in the early to mid-Holocene and cooled thereafter, with variations across different regions. The early Holocene warming trend is consistent with model simulations, but the cooling in winter season is not well reproduced by climate models.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Geography, Physical
Keerthika N. Ranathunga, Peter A. Finke, Qiuzhen Yin, Zhipeng Wu, Qingzhen Hao, Hao Lu
Summary: The loess-paleosol sequences in the Chinese Loess Plateau are an important terrestrial paleoclimate record, but there is still limited quantitative understanding of the response of paleosol development to different climate and environmental factors. This study used combined soil-climate models to investigate the sensitivity of paleosol development to various soil forming factors and the influence of ice sheets and astronomical forcing during interglacials over the past 500,000 years. The results show that precipitation, dust addition, and evapotranspiration are the dominant factors controlling interglacial paleosol formation, and their importance varies between interglacials and for different soil properties. The simulated paleosols mainly result from the joint effect of precession and ice sheets via their control on local climate and show qualitative agreement with observations.
QUATERNARY SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Luo Wang, Qingzhen Hao, Deguo Zhang, Yafei Zou, Patrick Rioual, Enlou Zhang, Jingjing Li, Hai Luo, Jie Li, Guoqiang Chu, Zhaoyan Gu
Summary: Research has found that the injection of Meltwater Pulse 1A into the North Atlantic weakened the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation and caused severe winter temperature drop in the Northern Hemisphere. This extreme cooling triggered the BOlling warming event and led to the recovery of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation.
PALEOCEANOGRAPHY AND PALEOCLIMATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Xinbo Gao, Qingzhen Hao, Chunsheng Jin, Chenglong Deng, Shuzhen Peng, Long Han, Yu Fu, Xuechao Wu
Summary: The upper sandy loess unit L9 on the Chinese Loess Plateau represents aeolian deposition under conditions of extreme aridification, but the forcing mechanism is still controversial. Paleomagnetic studies show that in the eastern CLP, the coarsest part of L9 is remagnetized and has a normal geomagnetic polarity, while in the western CLP, it records a primary reverse polarity. This spatially inconsistent magnetization pattern is mainly due to different magnetic carriers in the two regions (hematite in the west and magnetite in the east), suggesting different dust provenance. This spatial contrast is attributed to the episodic uplift of the northeastern Tibetan Plateau, which also caused extreme aridification of the East Asian interior at approximately 900 ka.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Milica G. Radakovic, Eric A. Oches, Philip D. Hughes, Rastko S. Markovic, Qingzhen Hao, Zoran M. Peric, Bojan Gavrilovic, Patrick Ludwig, Tin Lukic, Milivoj B. Gavrilov, Slobodan B. Markovic
Summary: In this study, the malacological record of two important loess-palaeosol sequences in Serbia was used to reconstruct the July Paleotemperature of the past nine glacials. The findings showed that the malacological material from these sequences has great potential for reconstructing July temperature.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Slobodan B. Markovic, Jef Vandenberghe, Zoran M. Peric, David Filyo, Tamas Bartyik, Milica G. Radakovic, Qingzhen Hao, Rastko S. Markovic, Tin Lukic, Nemanja Tomic, Milivoj B. Gavrilov, Aleksandar Antic, Ivana Cvijanovic, Gyoergy Sipos
Summary: Typical patterns of Late Pleistocene loess-paleosol units are preserved in Novo Orahovo brickyard, Northern Serbia. Preliminary luminescence chronology supports the chronostratigraphic interpretations of global isotopic marine climate reconstructions. Magnetic susceptibility and sedimentological evidence show general similarities with marine oxygen-isotope stratigraphy. These records provide new insights into dust accumulation regimes over the eastern side of the Backa loess plateau and offer new paleoenvironmental information for the region. They represent an important step towards establishing a catena from the thin loess-like sediments of the Banat foothills in the east to the thicker and seemingly more complete loess sections of the southeastern and central Carpathian Basin. Grain-size data from the loess record of Novo Orahovo explain the regional differentiation in dust deposition.
Article
Geology
Miaofa Li, Binggui Cai, Slobodan B. Markovic, Luo Wang, Qingzhen Hao, Andy Baker, Milivoj B. Gavrilov, Liyuan Jiang, Fang Wang, Xuefeng Wang, Lisheng Wang, Zhibang Ma, Jule Xiao, Zhengtang Guo
Summary: The North Atlantic jet stream has a significant impact on the climate of the North Atlantic-European region, particularly in winter. Recent observations have shown that the winter jet stream has strengthened over the past 140 years, and this trend has deviated from natural variability. Researchers have discovered that the appearance of the North Atlantic warming hole, caused by anthropogenic forcing, is the most likely explanation for this anomalous trend. Continued global warming may further strengthen the jet stream in the future.
Article
Geography, Physical
Namier Namier, Qingzhen Hao, Xinbo Gao, Yu Fu, Slobodan B. Markovic, Ulrich Hambach, Daniel Veres, Joseph A. Mason, Yang Song, Chenglong Deng, Milivoj B. Gavrilov, Rastko Markovic, Zhengtang Guo
Summary: Tephras are valuable for precise dating and correlation, and magnetic investigations provide a useful method for tephra identification. However, the most diagnostic magnetic properties for tephra identification and differentiation are still uncertain.
QUATERNARY SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Wenling An, Chenxi Xu, Slobodan B. B. Markovic, Shanlei Sun, Yue Sun, Milivoj B. B. Gavrilov, Zoran Govedar, Qingzhen Hao, Zhengtang Guo
Summary: Widespread and frequent droughts have affected most parts of Europe over recent years. The onset of the drying trend in southern Europe occurred around the 1850s, and anthropogenic warming has enhanced the strength of land-atmosphere coupling and exacerbated the widespread drying trend since then. This persistent drying trend in southern Europe is likely the result of warming and close coupling between soil moisture and atmospheric temperature.
COMMUNICATIONS EARTH & ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
