Aeolian deposits, widely distributed in the Qinghai Lake area, provide independently palaeoclimatic information. Herein we report the detailed investigation results of Gangcha (GC) and Reshui (RS) sections, located at the northern Qinghai Lake area. The chemical index of alteration (CIA) and Al₂O₃–(CaO*+Na₂O)–K₂O (A−CN–K) ternary diagram suggest that most of the sediments experienced the degree of weak and moderate chemical weathering. The study area had undergone the great alternation between wet and dry climate, reflected by the variation of CIA values. The accumulation hiatus in the palaeosol layer was identified in the RS section. Our comprehensive results indicate that the relatively dry climate conditions and strong aeolian activity occurred from 11.0 to 7.5 ka in the Qinghai Lake area, in agreement with widespread aeolian sand deposits and loess deposits in the investigated aeolian sections. The middle Holocene (from 7.5 to 3.0 ka) was characterized by humid climate conditions and weak aeolian activity, supported by commonly developed palaeosol deposits in the Qinghai Lake area. After 3.0 ka, the aeolian activity was again strengthened due to drier climate conditions. The variations of summer insolation and the Asian monsoon may cause the increase or decrease of effective moisture, thereby result in the climate changes between dry and wet in the Qinghai Lake area.

在青海湖地区广泛分布的风沙沉积物提供了独立的古气候信息。在此，我们将报告位于青海湖北部地区的刚察（GC）和瑞水（RS）断面的详细调查结果。化学变化指数（CIA）和Al ₂ O ₃ –（CaO * + Na ₂ O）–K ₂O（A-CN–K）三元图表明，大多数沉积物经历了弱而中等的化学风化程度。CIA值的变化反映了研究区在干湿气候之间的巨大变化。在RS部分确定了古土壤层中的堆积裂隙。我们的综合结果表明，在青海湖地区从11.0到7.5 ka出现了相对干燥的气候条件和强烈的风沙活动，这与被调查的风沙剖面中广泛的风沙沉积和黄土沉积相吻合。中全新世（7.5至3.0 ka）的特征是潮湿的气候条件和薄弱的风沙活动，这是由青海湖地区普遍发育的古土壤沉积所支持的。在3.0 ka之后，由于气候条件干燥，风沙活动再次增强。夏季日晒和亚洲季风的变化可能导致有效水分的增加或减少，从而导致青海湖地区干湿气候变化。