The elemental carbon record in Weinan loess section since the last 21 ka

We studied the records of elemental carbon (EC) of the last 21 ka in the We inan loess section, Shanxi Province. The variations of EC abundance and del ta (13) CEC value along with depth (or age) were presented. There are four large peaks of EC abundance around the following years: 20.16 ka, 17.76 ka, 11.97 ka and 4.49 ka. Climatic situation was changed rapidly during these periods. The peaks around 11.97 ka and 20.16 ka are particularly sharp, occ urring over intervals of tens to hundreds of years, which could represent s hort-duration intense events. delta (13) C-EC values in the upper 4 m of th e Weinan loess section vary between -11.71%o and -21.34%, which suggests th at the vegetation pattern of the last 21 ka on the Loess Plateau is C-4-dom inated grasses.