Magnetic grain-size distribution of the enhanced component in the loess-palaeosol sequences in the western Loess Plateau of China

Rock magnetic measurements of Chinese loess-palaeosol samples from the Beiy uan section in Linxia City suggest the presence of two magnetic components: a background component and an enhanced component. The magnetic properties of the enhanced component suggest strong grain-size control, which is in co ntrast with variable grain-size distribution in loess-palaeosol from the ce ntral Loess Plateau. Chemically formed magnetic grains do not fulfil the re quirements in the case of the western Loess Plateau because they may show s hifts in the grain-size distribution. The difference in climate between the western and central Loess Plateau may lead to different origins and differ ent preservation conditions of the pedogenic magnetite.