New constraints on the source of loess from U/Th-Pb geochronology of detrital multi-minerals

Abstract The origin and provenance of eolian sediments such as loess can potentially reveal paleo-air circulation directions that drive temporal changes in climate. these deposits has been mostly assessed by detrital zircon U-Pb geochronology remains debated. Recent studies constraining sediment using only yields a restricted view the overall sources, because commonly records high-temperature tectonothermal events thus represents portion lithologies. We applied new strategy for from Chinese Loess Plateau—Earth's most extensive deposit—by multi-proxy (i.e., zircon, monazite rutile) U/Th-Pb approach. show while U-Pb-Lu-Hf isotopic data cannot conclusively discriminate potential rutile grains display dominant age peaks early Paleozoic, Mesozoic, late Cenozoic, mirroring orogenic episodes northeast Tibetan Plateau. Monazite also spatial variability between western central parts Plateau, which is affected dust transport westerly/northwesterly winds. Our integrated set provides diagnostic constraints on source, variability, transportation trajectory highlights importance this approach to study worldwide.