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The distribution, deposition, composition and texture of loess in China is studied. Based on on-the-spot investigations, Loess and the Environment supplies information on: the loess-paleosol time sequence, loess fabric, and geological events derived from studying biological relics. Proceeding from the loess environmental system, the climatic fluctuation sequence of different scales has been reconstructed, and the whole process of eolian loess accumulation and its relationship with modern silt dust, water and soil conservation, engineering geology, agricultural soil as well as local diseases are discussed.
List of contents
1. A Brief History of Loess Studies in China.- 1.1 The Significance of the Study of Loess.- 1.2 The Terminology and Concept of Loess.- 1.3 The Process of Loess Formation.- 1.4 A Brief History of Loess Studies.- 2. Regional Distribution of the Aeolian Products (Loess).- 2.1 Loess Distribution.- 2.2 Geological Structure of Basins with Loess Sediments.- 3. Time Sequence of Loess Deposits.- 3.1 Luochuan Loess-Paleosol Sequence.- 3.2 Magnetostratigraphy of Loess and the Lower Boundary of the Pleistocene.- 3.3 14C Dating of Loess.- 3.4 Loess Sedimentation Sequence in the Last 10000 Years.- 3.5 Discussion of Loess-Paleosol Sequence and of Geological Events in the Past 2.4 Million Years.- 4. Fossils in Loess and Its Ecological Environment.- 4.1 Fossil Mammals with Special Evidence of the Evolution of Myospalax.- 4.2 Fossil Snails and Their Environment.- 4.3 Spores, Pollen and Paleovegetation.- 5. Composition of Loess.- 5.1 Grain-Size Distribution.- 5.2 Heavy Minerals.- 5.3 Clay Mineral.- 5.4 Geochemical Characteristics.- 5.5 Rare Earth Elements.- 5.6 Amino Acids.- 5.7 Paleosol.- 6. Loess and the Environment.- 6.1 Dust Deposition and the Modern Dust Storm.- 6.2 Amount and Rate of Loess Deposition.- 6.3 Long-Term Climatic Changes in the Loess Plateau of China.- 6.4 Spectral Analysis of Luochuan Loess-Paleosol Sequence.- 6.5 Composition of Loess and Loessial Soil and Agricultural Production.- 6.6 Geochemical Environment of Loess and Endemic Diseases.- 6.7 Property of Engineering Geology of Loess Deposits and Evaluation of Regional Stability.- 6.8 Environment and Erosion of Loesses.- 7. Methods in Loess Research.- 7.1 The Principles of Stratigraphic Classification and Nomenclature of Loess Sequence.- 7.2 Thermoluminescent Dating of Loess.- References.
