Potential source areas for Lower Volga loess: provenance analysis using detrital zircon U-Pb ages

Abstract

Knowledge about origin and transport of aeolian mineral dust in the past and modern times plays an important role in the understanding of climate. Atmospheric circulation patterns and dust dynamics can be revealed by tracing back the provenance of airborne material. The source of loess deposits in the Lower Volga region of Russia is not known, yet represents a key location for Eurasian climate history reconstruction. The problem is addressed using U-Pb dating of detrital zircons from the loess deposits and potential source sediments such as East European Plain, Crimea, Caucasus, Volga, Caspian Sea and Central Asian desert sediments. Identifying the actual source of Lower Volga loess will help to understand past dust transport pathways and climate evolution in the region and its implications for regional and global climate.