Holocene sediment-accumulation rates in the western Loess Plateau, China, and a 2500-year record of agricultural activity, revealed by OSL dating

High-resolution optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating of a terrace d loess section in the western margins of the Chinese Loess Plateau provide s evidence of continuous and varying accumulation of dust throughout the Ho locene. From 12030 to 2500 years ago, the sediment-accumulation rate was ap proximately 0.2 mm/year. After this time, it increased to approximately 0.8 mm/year, during a historically documented period of agricultural expansion in adjacent areas. From 680 years ago, a further increase in accumulation rate, to approximately 3.4 mm/year, is evident. Particle-size analysis indi cates that this increase in accumulation rate was associated with anthropog enic addition of sandy sediment, probably for soil improvement. The OSL dat ing also identifies the period when the terrace was first cut for agricultu ral use, between 2500 and 2070 years ago.