Magnetic fabric (MF) investigations complemented by geochemical and grain surface analyses of the understudied and controversial marine isotope stage (MIS) 5 b, 4 and 3 loess deposits in the Lower Volga region, Russia show that the material has been transported and deposited by wind and to a large extent experienced post-depositional reworking. Grain surface features suggest that the material was glacially ground and fluvially transported prior to final aeolian deposition as loess. Secondary magnetic fabrics in the loess reveal pedogenic and cryogenic processes and a generally cold environment with brief shifts to warmer climate during late MIS 5 and MIS 3. Palaeowind reconstructions derived from preserved primary aeolian MF, indicate locally influenced westerly and north-westerly flow as part of a wider scale westerly wind pattern, similar to modern day winter conditions. We suggest that the climate of the last glacial in the Northern Caspian Lowland was cold and dry, with higher windspeeds and less variability during MIS 4 compared to MIS 3.

对俄罗斯伏尔加河下游地区未充分研究和有争议的海洋同位素阶段 (MIS) 5 b、4 和 3 黄土沉积物进行的磁性织物 (MF) 调查和地球化学和颗粒表面分析的补充表明，该物质已被风输送和沉积并且在很大程度上经历了沉积后返工。颗粒表面特征表明，在最终风积沉积为黄土之前，该材料经过冰川研磨和河流运输。黄土中的次生磁性结构揭示了成土和低温过程以及普遍寒冷的环境，在 MIS 5 晚期和 MIS 3 期间短暂转变为温暖的气候。 从保存的初级风成 MF 得到的古风重建表明，受局部影响的西风和西北风流作为一部分更大规模的西风模式，类似于现代冬季条件。我们认为北里海低地最后一次冰川的气候寒冷干燥，与 MIS 3 相比，MIS 4 期间的风速更高，变化更小。