Tracing the source–sink process of fluvio-clastic materials: Magnetic records of surface sediments in the Yangtze River basin

In this study, we collected surface sediments from the mainstream and major tributaries of Yangtze River to systematically analyse their magnetic properties, discuss implications for tracing source–sink process fluvio-clastic materials. Our results showed that in upper basin had a significantly higher content ferromagnetic minerals coarser grain sizes than mid-lower basin. The susceptibility (χ lf ) was 34.16*10 -8 m 3 /kg at Shigu, rapidly rose 230.56*10 Yibin, then dropped 68.92*10 river mouth. χ Yalong 276.86*10 /kg, considerably other tributaries, greatly contribute mainstream, reflecting dominant constraining role Emeishan basalts. distinctive properties core Jianghan delta closely match those surficial This may indicate addition clastic materials eroded basin, resulting cut-through Three Gorges during evolution occurred late Cenozoic. Investigating can provide insights into environmental changes.