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Journal of Desert Research ›› 2022, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (2): 14-24.DOI: 10.7522/j.issn.1000-694X.2021.00106

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Physicochemical characteristics and sedimentary environment of honeycomb dunes in Gurbantunggut Desert

Chong Gao1(), Zhibao Dong1(), Weige Nan1, Zhengyao Liu1,2, Chunming Zhu1, Xiaozhi Wang1, Nan Xiao3, Xin Zhang1   

  1. 1.School of Geography and Tourism,Shaanxi Normal University,Xi’an 710119,China
    2.Shaanxi Institute of Geo-Environment Monitoring,Shaanxi Institute of Geological Survey,Xi’an 710054,China
    3.College of Geographical Sciences,Inner Mongolia Normal University,Hohhot 010022,China
  • Received:2021-07-01 Revised:2021-08-13 Online:2022-03-20 Published:2022-03-30
  • Contact: Zhibao Dong

Abstract:

In this paper, the characteristics of grain size, elements and Micromorphology of surface sediments of honeycomb dunes in Gurbantunggut Desert are sampled and analyzed, and its sedimentary environment is discussed. The results show that: (1) The surface sediments of honeycomb dunes in Gurbantunggut Desert are mainly fine sand; The major elements are depleted, and the trace element Co is enriched obviously; The chemical alteration index (CIA) is close to the average value of the upper continental crust; The roundness of quartz sand particles is moderate, and the micro morphological characteristics are mainly dished pits and irregular impact pits. (2) The northeast of the study area has the largest average particle size and the worst sorting performance; Serious loss of major elements; The micromorphological characteristics are the most complex; The CIA value in the west of the study area is the lowest. The average particle size increases from the toe of the windward slope to the top of the slope and decreases on the leeward slope; There was no significant difference between elements and micro morphological characteristics. (3) The sedimentary physicochemical characteristics show that the desert is in the early stage of continental weathering. The arid climate conditions make the surface components of sand dunes lack effective chemical weathering, and the sedimentary environment is complex, dominated by aeolian machinery.

Key words: honeycomb dunes, sediment, grain size, geochemical elements, micromorphology

CLC Number: