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Permeability and paleoenvironmental implications of loess–paleosol sequence from Jingyang Loess Plateau

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Abstract

Eolian loess in China contains abundant information about paleoclimate evolution, but there have been few studies of the relationship between the changing permeability of loess and the paleoenvironment. To investigate how loess–paleosol permeability responds to climate change, 342 undisturbed soil samples were collected from the Jingyang Loess Plateau in the Guanzhong Basin. Permeability was measured by a TST-55 permeameter and soil microstructures were observed with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results showed that: (1) the permeability of the loess layers was higher than that of the paleosol layers; (2) loess–paleosol sequence permeability had a four-stage accumulation history; (3) the degree of permeability anisotropy (DPA) of most of the loess was greater than 1, whereas that of the paleosol layers were less than 1; (4) loess and paleosol microstructures were consistent with the results obtained by permeability, whose changes had been mainly caused by the pedogenesis controlled by the Quaternary climate. The higher permeability of the loess layers was largely the result of lower pedogenesis intensity due to the cold/dry climatic conditions at the time when the sediments were deposited. Conversely, the lower permeability of the paleosol layers was the result of higher pedogenesis intensity under warm/wet climatic conditions. Based on the permeability, DPA, and soil microstructures, we concluded that the gradual uplift of the Qinling Mountains and the changes in the intensity of the East Asian monsoon had played important roles in controlling the evolution of the climate in the Guanzhong Basin. Therefore, loess permeability can reflect Quaternary climate change and provide a new research method for interpreting the characteristics of the Jingyang Loess Plateau.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Lin Tao and Qu wengang, Chang’an University, for their assistance in the fieldwork and pre-treatment of the samples.

Funding

This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grants 41931285, 41572236 and 41790441), and Science and Technology Project of SGCC (Grants 521304200006 and 52130419002H).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Grid Fujian Electric Power Research Institute, Fuzhou, China

    Yao Chen

  2. School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Chang’an University, Xi’an, 710054, Shaanxi, China

    Yao Chen, Hui Qian, Kai Hou, Qiying Zhang & Yuting Zhang

  3. Key Laboratory of Subsurface Hydrology and Ecological Effect in Arid Region of Ministry of Education, Chang’an University, Xi’an, 710054, Shaanxi, China

    Yao Chen, Hui Qian, Kai Hou, Qiying Zhang & Yuting Zhang

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The authors contributed to the methodology, data processing, and interpretation of this manuscript. The manuscript was improved with helpful contributions from co-authors. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Chen, Y., Qian, H., Hou, K. et al. Permeability and paleoenvironmental implications of loess–paleosol sequence from Jingyang Loess Plateau. Environ Earth Sci 80, 18 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-020-09282-y

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