Reconstructing Past Climate by Grain Size and Magnetic Susceptibility Analysis of Belgium Loess From the Late Quaternary

Abstract: Aeolian dust that gets deposited builds up loess sequences that cover 10% of the Earth's continents. Such sequences can be several metres thick with material deposited over thousands of years, and therefore act like archives of past climates. The glacial and interglacial cycles during the late Quaternary affects the loess deposition and the dust in the atmosphere, which has an impact on the global climate. Loess material is deposited during colder and drier periods. Paleosols have often been developed in the loess sequences, reflecting a warmer and wetter climate with decreased dust deposition. By sampling loess from different depths of the sequence and analysing different properties of the material, a reconstruction of past environment and climate can be done. Two commonly used methods are magnetic susceptibility analysis and grain size analysis and differences in the result can show differences in the climate and environment at the time the material was deposited. The late Quaternary climate was influenced by changes in the North Atlantic, and loess in the area is important to study to get a better understanding of the climate at the time it was deposited. In this project, loess material from a 10 metres thick sequence at the Romont site, Belgium has been analysed with grain size and magnetic susceptibility measurements to reconstruct past climate. The results show differences in the magnetic enhancement and the grain size as a gradual decrease in the magnetic enhancement, indicating a colder climate as confirmed by an increase in the U-ratio. This is followed by the abrupt onset of the warm Holocene period, matching the marine isotope record at the approximate same time period. The magnetic susceptibility data identifies the Rocourt tephra layer and also shows evidence of erosion of material between the Kincamp soil and the Nagelbeek Tongue Horizon.