scholarly journals Reconstructing Permafrost Sedimentological Characteristics and Post-depositional Processes of the Yedoma Stratotype Duvanny Yar, Siberia

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denis Shmelev ◽  
Maria Cherbunina ◽  
Victor Rogov ◽  
Sophie Opfergelt ◽  
Arthur Monhonval ◽  
...  

Cryogenic weathering is a key driver of periglacial sediment composition and properties. Selective mineral-grain weathering caused by freeze-thaw cycles in permafrost environments has the ability to dominate this process, leading to silt-rich grain-size distributions. The cryogenic weathering index (CWI) is a promising tool to quantify cryogenic weathering and freezing conditions. It considers the low resistance of quartz to freeze-thaw cycles compared to feldspars. Using this approach, this study aims to decipher post-depositional weathering by reconstructing cryogenic late Pleistocene Yedoma origins of the Yedoma stratotype exposure Duvanny Yar. To estimate the recent environmental endmember and to determine the initial mineral composition of sediment until freezing, the distribution of CWI in the active layer was studied. In addition to CWI, we studied mineral composition, heavy mineral distribution, grain size distribution and grain morphology. We suggest that cryogenic weathering likely altered polygenetic deposits (fluvial, nival, colluvial, lacustrine, alluvial, and aeolian processes) during sediment and ground ice accumulation. Moreover, we found two CWI distribution peaks in the late Pleistocene - Holocene sediments at the boundaries between glacial and interglacial ages. In conclusion, we see that the Duvanny Yar sediment facies varied by CWI, but also with grain-size distribution, suggesting environmental changes during formation. Nevertheless, post-depositional processes like cryogenic weathering have influenced sediment characteristics and should be considered in paleoenvironmental reconstructions.

2019 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabeth Dietze ◽  
Michael Dietze

Abstract. The analysis of grain-size distributions has a long tradition in Quaternary Science and disciplines studying Earth surface and subsurface deposits. The decomposition of multi-modal grain-size distributions into inherent subpopulations, commonly termed end-member modelling analysis (EMMA), is increasingly recognised as a tool to infer the underlying sediment sources, transport and (post-)depositional processes. Most of the existing deterministic EMMA approaches are only able to deliver one out of many possible solutions, thereby shortcutting uncertainty in model parameters. Here, we provide user-friendly computational protocols that support deterministic as well as robust (i.e. explicitly accounting for incomplete knowledge about input parameters in a probabilistic approach) EMMA, in the free and open software framework of R. In addition, and going beyond previous validation tests, we compare the performance of available grain-size EMMA algorithms using four real-world sediment types, covering a wide range of grain-size distribution shapes (alluvial fan, dune, loess and floodplain deposits). These were randomly mixed in the lab to produce a synthetic data set. Across all algorithms, the original data set was modelled with mean R2 values of 0.868 to 0.995 and mean absolute deviation (MAD) values of 0.06 % vol to 0.34 % vol. The original grain-size distribution shapes were modelled as end-member loadings with mean R2 values of 0.89 to 0.99 and MAD of 0.04 % vol to 0.17 % vol. End-member scores reproduced the original mixing ratios in the synthetic data set with mean R2 values of 0.68 to 0.93 and MAD of 0.1 % vol to 1.6 % vol. Depending on the validation criteria, all models provided reliable estimates of the input data, and each of the models exhibits individual strengths and weaknesses. Only robust EMMA allowed uncertainties of the end-members to be objectively estimated and expert knowledge to be included in the end-member definition. Yet, end-member interpretation should carefully consider the geological and sedimentological meaningfulness in terms of sediment sources, transport and deposition as well as post-depositional alteration of grain sizes. EMMA might also be powerful in other geoscientific contexts where the goal is to unmix sources and processes from compositional data sets.


Author(s):  
Rasma Tretjakova ◽  
Andris Karpovičs

Our research is focused on sedimentological conditions and postdepositional changes of recent fine grained lake sediments. We used bulk sediment mineralogical composition and grain size distribution as indicators to identify sediment source areas and possible changes during Holocene. We analysed fine grained (clayey) sediments from three Latgale lakes - Zeili, Pauguļi and Plusons, situated in Latgale upland. Lake sediments cover Late Pleistocene glacial deposits – loam and sandy loam. Bulk mineral composition of 6 sediment samples was determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Sediments contained typical minerals found in surrounding glacial sediments: rock-forming minerals as quartz, plagioclase, albite, enstatite, dolomite, calcite, and clay minerals - illite, kaolinite. To identify postdepositional changes in lake sediments of Holocene age clay minerals in clay fraction (<2 mkm) should be analysed. Particularly illite, smectite mixed layered minerals - illite/smectite (I/Sm) and chlorite. Additionally, grain size distribution of studied lake sediments was analysed. Accordingly, our studied sediments are clays, silty clays and clayey silts with bimodal particle distribution, except two samples from Zeiļi and Plusons with unimodal distribution.


1961 ◽  
Vol S7-III (4) ◽  
pp. 379-382
Author(s):  
Gian Clemente Parea ◽  
F. C. Wezel

Abstract Twelve samples of muds were collected from the bottom of Maggiore lake (northern Italy), at approximately equal intervals throughout the length of the lake in order to index the grain-size distribution and mineral composition of the muds. Most of the samples are typically lacustrine; some are typically fluviatile. The data indicate the presence of a significant amount of mineral matter in suspension throughout the lake as a result of strong currents generated by winds and by thermal variations in the lake waters.


2012 ◽  
Vol 45 (5) ◽  
pp. 487-502 ◽  
Author(s):  
Su Jeong Song ◽  
Chang Oh Choo ◽  
Chun-Joong Chang ◽  
Tae Woo Chang ◽  
Yun Deuk Jang

2007 ◽  
Vol 336-338 ◽  
pp. 2361-2362
Author(s):  
Shu Ai Li ◽  
Da Nian Liu ◽  
Jiang Hong Gong

A series of MnO-doped ZnO with different grain sizes and grain morphologies were prepared by sintering the samples at different temperatures for different holding times. The grain size distribution for each sample was determined. It was found that, although the grain size increases and the grain morphology varies with the sintering temperature and/or the holding time, the normalized grain size distribution keeps invariable.


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