Lateglacial and Holocene dune evolution in the Horqin dunefield of northeastern China based on luminescence dating

The Horqin dunefield is located in the northern frontier of East Asian Monsoon (EAM) zone, and its activation and stabilization is sensitive to the ebb and flow of the EAM. However, the activity of dunes in the Horqin dunefield is still poorly understood due to limited numerical dating. The purpose of the present study is to establish the chronology using luminescence dating in order to understand dune evolution of the Horqin dunefield and to explore the relative role of climate and human activity. Eighteen samples were collected from seven sections following a southwest–northeast transect through the dunefield, and dated using quartz optically stimulated luminescence (OSL). Combining evidence from stratigraphy and the luminescence chronology, dune evolution within the Horqin dunefield since the Lateglacial can be summarized as: before ∼ 9.6 ka, aeolian sand dunes were mobilized; during the period ∼ 9.6–3 ka, dunes were stabilized; at around ∼ 3 ka, dunes were mobilized again abruptly; since ∼ 3 ka, there were multiple phases of dune stabilization/mobilization. Dune activity was dominated by climate before ∼ 3 ka. However, since ∼ 3 ka both climate variability and human impact have influenced dune evolution in the Horqin dunefield.