SAND QUARTZ GRAIN MORPHOSCOPY AND MICROSTRUCTURE OF LATE PLEISTOCENE LOESSES OF THE SOUTH OF WESTERN SIBERIA, LOZHOK SECTION

A. O. Sizikova, V. S. Zykina

Late Pleistocene loess deposits of the stratotype Lozhok section of loess-soil sequence of Novosibirsk Priobye are studied. Given study results using morphoscopy method and sand quartz grains morphometry showed that examined loesses were formed by aeolian processes in periods of deep cooling and aridization of climate. Micromorphological structure of loess horizons is considered, the presence of cryogenic processes is corroborated by ring distribution of grains framework. Based on the complex of data obtained it its concluded that the formation of studied Late Pleistocene loess layers occurred in conditions of periglacial environment, i. e. in arid cold deserts.

Key words: loess, loess-soil sequence, Late Pleistocene, paleogeography, sand quartz grains morphoscopy, micromorphology, South of Western Siberia.