MASS-WEIGHTED AVERAGE OF MAJOR CHEMICAL-COMPOSITIONS OF THE MALAN LOESS IN CHINA

On the basis of extensive sampling and a large number of analyses, the major chemical compositions of the Malan Loess have been measured and calculated using the method of mass-weighted average. Obvious differe nces are noticed in the major chemical compositions between the Malan Loess and other loesses distributed in various areas of the world, sug gesting that there are some differences in provenance composition, geo logical and geographical condition and paleoclimate during the loess a ccumulation in various areas of the world. The Malan Loess is relative ly rich in lithophile elements such as Si and K, but poor in siderophi le elements such as Fe, Mg, Ti and Mn, compared with the lower and bul k crust. Much similarity is noticed in major average chemical composit ions between the Malan Loess and the upper continental crust. In the M alan Loess Ca is relatively rich and Na is relatively poor; other majo r elements such as Si, Al, Fe, Mg, Ti and Mn, etc. are close, even ide ntical to one another, indicating that the Malan Loess is the mixture of fragments (flour) derived from the weathering of continental crust rocks of various types over a vast area indeed.