Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
1044432 Quaternary International 2008 12 Pages PDF
Abstract

The carbonates, clays and major chemical compositions of lacustrine sediments in Nam Co (Lake) were examined by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and chemical analysis. Carbonates include monohydrocalcite (MHC, first report from China and in a high-altitude lake), low-Mg calcite and traces of dolomite. MHC in Nam Co is developed in water (1.8 g/L) with high Mg/Ca molar ratios (10.03–15.03), high pH (8.04–9.72) and the presence of bacteria, algae, diatom and ostracoda. Illite and Mg-chlorite provide a strong evidence for physical weathering in the Holocene. Most Ca and Sr in sediments originate from carbonates as the molar ratios of Ca and CO32− are all less than 1 and the curve of Sr is very similar to that of Ca. However, most of the Mg, Fe and Rb are from clays. The lake water shifted from a fresh water environment to an evaporative, alkaline environment by 2.06 cal. ka BP. There was a depositional event that the depositional rate changed from 0.134 to 1.639 mm/a at about 2 cal. ka BP.

Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering Earth and Planetary Sciences Geology
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