Geochemical properties of the Late Pleistocene loess-soil sequence in Dankowice (Niemcza-Strzelin Hills)

Loess-soil sequences provide one of the most continuous and detailed records of the climate changes on land areas in the Quaternary. The Late Pleistocene loess section in Dankowice (Niemcza-Strzelin Hills) is one of the best recognized in SW Poland. For the investigation of the chemical composition of loess-soil sequence in Dankowice, 31 loess samples were tested. Ten main oxides were determined (SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, MnO, MgO, CaO, Na2O, K2O, TiO2 and P2O5) using certified reference materials to obtain good credibility of the analysis. The chemical composition of loess from Dankowice is similar to the results presented in the world loess literature. The characteristic feature is extremely high concentration of the silica. The chemical composition of loess in Dankowice is differentiated within the vertical sequence and confirm previous division of litho-pedostratigraphic units. Therefore, the chemostratigraphic method can be successfully used as a one of lithostratigraphic methods. Decreasing values of the chemical weathering indices to the top of the section may indicate that the source areas of loess silt have provided material over time, less and less transformed by prolonged and intense chemical weathering processes.