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Journal of Desert Research ›› 2023, Vol. 43 ›› Issue (1): 222-233.DOI: 10.7522/j.issn.1000-694X.2022.00154

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Geochemical characteristics and implications of sediments in the piedmont of southwestern Qaidam Basin, China

Siyue Zhang(), Jiyan Li(), Yaoyao Zhang, Dehua Xu   

  1. School of Geography Science,Taiyuan Normal University,Jinzhong 030619,Shanxi,China
  • Received:2022-10-17 Revised:2022-11-27 Online:2023-01-20 Published:2023-01-17
  • Contact: Jiyan Li

Abstract:

This paper selected the piedmont dune area in southwest margin of Qaidam Basin as the study area, used geochemical element analysis, elucidated the characteristics of geochemical elements of different types of surface sediments in the study area, discussed the weathering characteristics, material sources and transport process. The results indicated that major elements of the sediments are predominated by SiO2, Al2O3, and CaO, and the average total content was more than 83%, while the higher content of trace elements were Cl, Ba, Sr and Zr. Compared to the average content of chemical elements for the upper continental crust, the main element CaO was slightly enriched, and the trace element As was highly enriched, and Co was slightly enriched. The variation range of CIA in the study area was small, between 40.90 and 53.05, with an average of 47.51. The degree of chemical weathering was weak, and all of them were in the early stage of weathering. The ratio of characteristic elements indicated that the sediments in the study area had the same material source. The clastic materials generated from the weathering and denudation of the rocks in the East Kunlun Mountains at the southwest margin of the Qaidam Basin were transported to the piedmont and accumulated under the action of seasonal water flow, forming a widespread piedmont alluvial proluvial plain, and then formed the current surface landscape through wind erosion. This study can not only enrich the research content of regional aeolian geomorphology, but also provide theoretical basis for the prevention and control of regional aeolian sand disasters.

Key words: sand source, geochemical characteristics, sand dune, Qaidam Basin

CLC Number: