Grain-size characteristics of sediments in the Jiangling section and their paleoclimatic significance

Abstract：The grain sizes of sediments were measured and their distribution and parameters were analyzed through high-resolution sampling of the Jiangling section of the Jianghan plain and by using a Mastersize 2000 laser analyzer, and the paleoclimatic significance of the grain sizes in the area is discussed on the basis of the aforesaid analysis, combined with the sporopollen and lithologic data. The results show that coarse grains evidently increase in the sediments deposited in a warm-moist climate and decreased in a cold-dry climate. By comparison with the neighboring areas, the paleoclimatic change in the Jiangling area since 9 000 a B.P. revealed by the grain sizes of sediments is consistent with the results of study of other indicators in neighboring area in China.