Structures and properties of the late pleistocene paleosols of the loess-soil section of Obi-Mazar (Tajikistan)

The loess-soil series of Central Asia cover the history of subaerial sedimentation of the last 2–2.5 mln years. Significant thicknesses, a large number of paleosols, and an impressive chronology place the loess-soil series of the Afghan-Tajik depression on a par with the famous sections of the Loess Plateau of China. The study of the most significant sections located within the Khovaling Loess Plateau makes it possible to develop a regional chronostratigraphic chart, to study the structure and conditions of formation of the main stratigraphic benchmarks–buried paleosols. The present study is devoted to the clarification of the structural features of loess and paleosols of the Late Pleistocene in one of the sections of the Khovaling–Obi-Mazar Plateau. Based on the results of stratigraphic dissection, description of the macro- and micromorphological structure, magnetic susceptibility analysis, study of the chemical and granulometric composition, a comprehensive description of the structure and properties was carried out and the most probable conditions for the formation of paleosols and loess were established. In the Late Pleistocene part of the section, two loess layers and a pedocomplex PC1 with three welded paleosols, consisting of a total of 7 horizons, are distinguished. The deposits are characterized by high silt content, carbon content, and the presence of signs of pedogenesis and biological activity in all layers of the studied section. Available data indicate the presence of a poorly developed MIS 3 paleosol in the upper loess layer. The developed pedocomplex PC1 of Obi-Mazar, according to its stratigraphic position, structural features, and magnetic susceptibility data, belongs to the MIS 5. According to preliminary data, its formation occurred in semi-humid and humid conditions under forest vegetation, which contributed to the biogenic segregation of Fe-Mn compounds, as well as intra- and interhorizon redistribution of carbonates due to diagenetic processes. Towards the end of the Last Interglacial, gradual aridization occurred, due to which the upper paleosol to be the least developed.