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A Combined Rock Magnetic and Meteorological Investigation of the Precipitation Boundary Across the Tibetan Plateau
Author(s) -
Ning WenXiao,
Zan JinBo,
Yang ShengLi,
Fang XiaoMin,
Shen MiaoMiao,
Kang Jian,
Luo YuanLong,
Wang ShuWen
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2021gl094808
Subject(s) - pedogenesis , plateau (mathematics) , maghemite , precipitation , geology , spatial distribution , magnetite , atmospheric sciences , soil water , climatology , soil science , meteorology , mathematical analysis , physics , remote sensing , mathematics , paleontology
Characterizing the spatial distribution of precipitation across the Tibetan Plateau (TP) is important for understanding how the topography and atmospheric circulation influence the climatic patterns of the region. We collected 143 surface soil samples from the central and southeastern TP (SETP) for rock magnetic characterization of the spatial distribution of the pedogenic intensity. Comparison with meteorological data shows that pedogenic intensity decreases significantly along the pathway of moist air across the SETP toward the interior, and that there is a positive correlation between pedogenic magnetite/maghemite content and mean annual precipitation. By contrast, the samples from the central TP show a low degree of pedogenic alteration, consistent with the limited precipitation within this area. The results indicate the possibility of using magnetic properties of surface soils to determine the precipitation distribution in areas lacking meteorological stations. These observations, combined with published soil magnetic results, help to define the climatic boundary in the TP.