Northern Tian-Shan paleosoil sedimentary sequences as a record of major climatic events in the last 30,000 years

Abstract

Specific features of the polygenetic mountain soils of northern Tian-Shan (Kyrgystan) are due to the action of present-day and relict soil processes that varied in age and intensity. These properties can be used as indicators of paleoclimatic changes. Diagnosis of ancient pedogenesis was based on criteria with the longest response time, namely soil morphology, humus characteristics, isotope composition of humus and carbonates, and the soil age. Results indicate a glacial climate with mean annual temperature about -25° C during the late Pleistocene, a dry and cold climate during the early Holocene, warm and dry conditions of soil formation in the middle Holocene, and a humid climate of the late Holocene.