Climatic interpretation of loess-paleosol sequences at Mobarakabad and Aghband, Northern Iran

Loess accumulation and paleosol formation are important Quaternary geoarchives in northern Iran. Two loess-paleosol sequences at Mobarakabad and Aghband were examined using soil morphology and micromorphology, mineralogy, magnetic susceptibility (MS), free Fe oxides and calcium carbonate equivalent. The loess-paleosol sequences provide a record of changes in paleo-rainfall in the northern Iran. Micromorphological and MS differences between the loess and paleosols in the sections reflect changes in climate. The different behaviors of magnetic susceptibility between Aghband and Mobarakabad loess are mainly produced by their different pedogenic environments, topography and climatic conditions. As a result, the MS at the Mobarakabad section is much higher than at Aghband. Paleoecological reconstructions coupled with magnetic depletion in paleosols at Mobarakabad suggest a wetter climate dominating during the formation of the paleosols.