Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1016/j.geomorph.2011.05.003
Title (Primary) Sr-Nd isotopic and REE geochemical constraints on the provenance of fine-grained sands in the Ordos deserts, north-central China
Author Rao, W.; Chen, J.; Tan, H.; Jiang, S.; Su, J.
Source Titel Geomorphology
Year 2011
Department ASAM; CATHYD
Volume 132
Issue 3-4
Page From 123
Page To 138
Language englisch
Keywords Sr and Nd isotopes; REE geochemical compositions; Fine-grained sands; The Ordos deserts; Source areas
Abstract Surface sands and sandstones in the Ordos region, alluvial sands from the surrounding mountains, and fluvial sands in the Yellow River are systemically collected for granulometric, mineralogical, geochemical and isotopic analyses. Fine-grained fractions are small for the Ordos desert sands as well as alluvial sands of the surrounding mountains whereas they are abundant for fluvial sands of the Yellow River. Quartz, feldspar and muscovite are common minerals but their relative proportions are variable for various sediments. REE geochemical compositions are roughly identical but isotopic compositions, particularly εNd(0) values of fine-grained sands vary significantly in the Ordos deserts. Based on the integrated Sr–Nd isotopic data, the possible source areas are isotopically divided into four regions for fine-grained sands in the Ordos deserts: region A, the Helan-Yin mountain ranges; region B, the Ordos sandstone areas; region D, the Tarim Basin, the Alxa Plateau, the Hexi Corridor, the northern Qinghai-Xizang Plateau and the Yellow River drainage; and region E, the Jungger Basin and the southern Mongolia. Through geochemical and particularly isotopic comparisons in combination with expert meteorological and geographical knowledge, fine-grained sands in the Ordos deserts originated both from weathering of local sandstones and from blowing of fine sediments in region D. The input from region D is subordinate to the local source for fine-grained sands in the Ordos deserts. Contributions from weathering of local sandstones might be roughly homogeneous from the west to the east of the Ordos region as well as the input of fine-grained sediments from remote areas such as the Tarim Basin, the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau and the Alxa Plateau. Geographical Nd isotopic variations of fine-grained sands in the Ordos deserts might be caused by the input from adjacent places such as the Yellow River drainage due to the near-surface winds.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=13425
Rao, W., Chen, J., Tan, H., Jiang, S., Su, J. (2011):
Sr-Nd isotopic and REE geochemical constraints on the provenance of fine-grained sands in the Ordos deserts, north-central China
Geomorphology 132 (3-4), 123 - 138 10.1016/j.geomorph.2011.05.003