The Altai Mountains are the northern segment of the Central Asian collision belt (Fig. 1). They stretch northwest for more than 1500 km across the borders of Mongolia, China, Kazakhstan, and Russia and form a wedge shape narrowest in the southeast (about 50 km) and widest in the northwest (up to 500 km). The elevation increases southwest from 400 to 4000 m a.s.l. The mountain system has a Cenozoic age, but to a large extent inherits the position of mountain structures that existed here in Permian and Jurassic times (Dobretsov
Southeastern part of the Russian Altai (SE Altai) presented in this study is the highest and most seismically active part of the Russian Altai. It includes the Chuya and Kurai intermountain depressions, located at about 1750– 2100 and 1470–1650 m a.s.l. correspondingly, and framing ridges with the altitudes in the range of 2900–4200 m a.s.l.
The area is characterized by strongly dissected topography – the result of Cenozoic orogenesis (Devyatkin, 1965; Novikov, 2004). Summits rise above the floors of inter-mountain depressions and major valleys up to 2600–3000 m, which is one of the largest values for the whole Altai Mountains (Agatova and Nepop, 2017).
The SE Altai is characterized by arid climate. The mean annual precipitation is less than 200 mm within the floor of the basins (Narozhny and Osipov, 1999). Nevertheless, due to the high altitudes of the ridges, the SE Altai is the center of the modern glaciation. Permafrost within the Chuya and Kurai intermountain depressions has a patchy distribution with the general thickness of 6–90 m and active layer of 3–7 m depth (Permafrost–hydrogeological map, 1977). Within the mountain ranges, unconsolidated sediments are frozen from a depth of about 0.8– 1.5 m (Ostanin, 2007).
The Kurai–Chuya system of intermountain depressions of the SE Altai is the largest and oldest within the whole Altai Mountains. They are filled with redeposited products of Upper Cretaceous–Low Paleogene weathering crust, Paleogene–Neogene lacustrine and peat/brown coal boggy sediments, Pleistocene sediments (mainly alluvial, glacial, glacio-fluvial, glacio-lacustrine, and deposits associated with cataclysmic outburst floods from ice-dammed lakes), as well as with the Holocene deposits of various genesis.
Despite over 150 years of regional research history, the Quaternary paleogeography of the SE Altai is still debatable. Main concepts of the Pleistocene Altai glaciations vary from:
In this context, numerical dating of various deposits and landforms is a key paleogeographical problem in the region. Today, the radiocarbon method is one of the most exploitable and widely applicable dating techniques. It allows determining the age of organic matter preserved/accumulated in deposits and is limited by ~50 ka. At the same time, a complicated tectonic and sedimentary regional history (which is generally typical for tectonically active mountain terrains) gives rise to the problem of interpretation of dating results. Tectonic movements cause exhumation of ancient (Carboniferous, Jurassic, Paleogene, and Neogene) organic-rich deposits on the ridge’s slopes, where they are affected by various Pleistocene and Holocene exogenous processes. This is the reason for admixture of the “young” carbon into ancient organic material (with the own age beyond the limits of the radiocarbon method) and
This article presents the examples of such apparent radiocarbon dates for the SE Altai. Their correct interpretation is critical to understand the Late Pleistocene landscape evolution and climate changes in the region including the following:
chronological reconstructions of Altai glaciations, associated ice-dammed lakes formation, and their cataclysmic draining;
establishing the chronology and paleoenvironmental conditions of soil formation in the highlands of the SE Altai;
estimating the range and magnitude of the tectonically driven topography rebuilding in the post-Neogene time.
In this context, we summarize the results of our previous investigations in the Kurai basin and Dzhazator valley, as well as analyze new data on deposits and pedogenesis in the Chuya basin. Together with the results of radiocarbon dating applying both accelerated mass spectrometry (AMS) and liquid scintillation counting (LSC) techniques, we present the results of multidisciplinary investigations of dating material. To provide independent age control, optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) technique was applied. Discussed problems in obtaining apparent 14C dates have not been previously taken into consideration in regional investigations, but they are of vital importance to understand the Late Pleistocene paleogeography of the SE Altai.
Multidisciplinary investigations with the main focus on the Late Pleistocene chronological reconstructions and assessing the validity of the obtained radiocarbon dates were based on several methods. Geomorphological investigations and process analyses included the interpretations of space images, topographic maps, and field studies with mapping of landforms and deposits of different origin. Lithofacies analysis of studied sections was applied to understand the sedimentary environments and the origin of the exposed deposits.
The radiocarbon dates were obtained by the LSC method at the Institute of Geology and Mineralogy SB RAS, Novosibirsk (SOAN), and at the Laboratory of Radiocarbon Dating and Electronic Microscopy of the Institute of Geography RAS, Moscow (IGAN). The production of lithium carbide and benzene synthesis was completed using the standard technique (Arslanov, 1987; Skripkin and Kovaliukh, 1997). The activity of 14C was determined using the Quantulus-1220 liquid scintillation counters. Single date applying AMS technique was obtained at the University of Arizona, USA, with the sample preparation at the Laboratory of Radiocarbon Dating and Electronic Microscopy of the Institute of Geography RAS, Moscow (IGANAMS). All 14C ages were normalized to δ13C value of -25 ‰. The conventional radiocarbon ages were calibrated (2σ standard deviation) by applying the OxCal v4.3.2 program (Bronk Ramsey, 2017), with the IntCal13 calibration data set (Reimer
Samples for OSL dating were collected by driving steel tube into the sandy sediment. Further sample preparation and measurements were carried out at the Luminescence Dating Laboratory, Silesian University of Technology, Gliwice, Poland (GdTL). High-resolution gamma spectrometry using a HPGe detector was used to determine the content of U, Th, and K in the sample. The activities of the isotopes present in the sediment were determined using IAEA standards RGU, RGTh, and RGK after subtracting background values from the detector. Dose rates were calculated using the conversion factors of Guerin
In addition to 14C and OSL dating, a set of techniques were applied to study dating sediments in order to understand specific climatic and paleoenvironmental features that indicate the time of their accumulation/redeposition. The mineral composition of substrate was studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and infrared (IR) spectroscopy settings (Fagel
Generally, ten sections in eight locations were studied within the SE Altai in the Kurai (sections 1-4) and Chuya (sections 5-7) intermountain depressions and in the Dzhazator valley (sections 8a-8c) (Fig. 1). Available radiocarbon and OSL dates are presented in Tables 1 and 2 and Fig. 2.
Radiocarbon dating results. Dating material is marked as co – coal; ha – humic acids; pp – paleopeat; toc – total organic carbon. Dates marked with asterisk are results of dating of humic acids obtained from one sample.
Laboratory code | Studied sections (fig. 1) | Applied technique | Dating material | 14C yr BP | Cal BP (2σ) | Confidence intervals % | Description |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SOAN 9496 | 1 | LSC | ha | 3380±115 | 3920-3370 | 95.4 | Fossil soil in subaerial pack above lacustrine deposits |
SOAN 9502 | 1 | LSC | pp | 22070±450 | 27350-25600 | 95.4 | Inclusions of peat in the upper diluvial pack |
SOAN 7802 | 1 | LSC | ha | 34750±480 | 40430-38370 | 95.4 | Inclusions diluvial pack of organic matter in the middle part of upper |
SOAN 4971 | 1 | LSC | ha | 20750±220 | 25560-24410 | 95.4 | Fragment diluvial pack of charcoal (Vysotsky in 2009the middle ) part of upper |
SOAN 9503 | 1 | LSC | pp | 26715±700 | 32500-29360 | 95.4 | Inclusions of peat at the bottom of the upper diluvial pack |
SOAN 9306 | 1 | LSC | ha | 12400±195 | 15220-13920 13890-13860 | 94.8 0.6 | Organic fragments in the lower diluvial pack (after Vysotsky in Agatova |
SOAN 9305 | 1 | LSC | ha | 7320±110 | 8370-7950 | 95.4 | Organic Vysotsky fragments in Agatova in |
IGAN 4811 | 2 | LSC | pp | 35090±950 | 41830-37700 | 95.4 | Upper Formation Oligocene–Low Miocene peat of Koshagach |
SOAN 9505 | 3 | LSC | ha | 33790±1095 | 40930-35820 | 95.4 | Thin flowing peat paleolake layer in sediments of the Early Holocene |
IGAN 3204 | 4 | LSC | ha | 18800±270 | 23420-22110 | 95.4 | Upper peat layer (after Rogozhin |
SOAN 9575 | 4 | LSC | ha | 29375±285 | 34070-32910 | 95.4 | Middle peat layer |
SOAN 9576 | 4 | LSC | ha | 27970±320 | 32760-31200 | 95.4 | Lower peat layer |
SOAN 9689 | 5 | LSC | ha | - | - | - | Silt loams at the same location as Beta 159972 sample (not enough material – 0.4g of ha from a 3-kg sample) |
IGANAMS 7821 | 5 | AMS | toc | 21410±60 | 25900-25580 | 95.4 | Silt loams at the same location as Beta 159972 sample |
Beta 159972 | 5 | AMS | ha | 35870±490 | 41540-39470 | 95.4 | Layer profile of (Herget, organic 2005 sediment, ) probably part of paleosol |
IGAN 6249 | 6 | LSC | ha | 13990±270 | 17710-16210 | 95.4 | Horizon [В] of fossil soil at the bottom of proluvial–colluvial pack |
IGAN 6008 | 6 | LSC | co | 9830±230 | 12100-10580 | 95.4 | Lens of charcoals under fossil soil |
SOAN 9573-1 | 6 | LSC | co | 8635±150 | 101809350--9400 9330 | 95.1 0.3 | Lens of charcoals under fossil soil |
SOAN 9573-2 | 6 | LSC | ha | 9220±95 | 1066010610--10620 10220 | 1.9 93.5 | Matrix in lens of charcoals under fossil soil |
IGAN 5011 | 7 | LSC | co | 50120±2300 | - | - | Upper shagach Oligocene–Formation Low from Miocene Taldy–Dyurgun brown coal deposit of Ko |
IGAN 4880 | 8a | LSC | pp | 44790±1400 | - | - | Upper layer of brown coal |
IGAN 4881 | 8a | LSC | co | 37570±1100 | 44000-40060 | 95.4 | Lower layer of brown coal |
SOAN 9495 | 8b | LSC | pp | 14085±400 | 18140-16020 | 95.4 | Upper horizon (among three) interlayers within the peat |
IGAN 4908 | 8b | LSC | pp | 36680±910 | 42730-39550 | 95.4 | Lower horizon (among three) interlayers within the peat |
SOAN 8709 | 8c | LSC | ha | 2760±80 | 3070-2740 | 95.4 | Upper partly exhumed at the surface organic mineral layer |
SOAN 8420 | 8c | LSC | ha | 23100±415 | 28080-26440 | 95.4 | |
SOAN 8421 | 8c | LSC | ha | 25530±355 | 30620-28880 | 95.4 | |
SOAN 8422 | 8c | LSC | ha | 16600±140 | 20410-19640 | 95.4 | |
SOAN 8710 | 8c | LSC | ha | 15330±110 | 18820-18340 | 95.4 | |
SOAN 8711* | 8c | LSC | ha | 17940±120 | 22090-21370 | 95.4 | Layers of organic mineral matter with inclusions of |
organic material (mainly fragments of peat and some- | |||||||
SOAN 9464* | 8c | LSC | ha | 22475±450 | 27570-25940 | 95.4 | times lignitized wood) affected by solifluction |
SOAN 9627* | 8c | LSC | ha | 22880±280 | 27670-26540 | 95.4 | |
SOAN 8712** | 8c | LSC | ha | 15600±100 | 19080-18630 | 95.4 | |
SOAN 9467** | 8c | LSC | ha | 26400±500 | 31300-29500 | 95.4 | |
SOAN 9629** | 8c | LSC | ha | 19480±360 | 24310-22600 | 95.4 |
OSL dating results. The dose rate was determined based on the radioisotope content measurements. The equivalent doses were calculated using central age model (Galbraith
Laboratory code | Sample location (fig. 1) | U (Bq/kg) | Th (Bq/kg) | K (Bq/kg) | Dose rate (Gy/ka) | Equivalent dose (Gy) | OSL Age (ka) | Number of aliquots | Water content | Sample description |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GdTL 2590 | 1 | 29.1±0.8 | 22.4±0.5 | 434±14 | 2.21±0.08 | 42.0±1.8 | 19.0±1.1 | 13 | 18±5% | Sandy layer at the top of cross-bedded diluvial pack (Fig. 3) |
GdTL 2591 | 1 | 25.3±0.6 | 20.0±0.4 | 485±15 | 2.23±0.08 | 35.9±3.5 | 16.0±1.7 | 20 | 18±5% | Sandy zons of layer loams between (Fig. 3) hori- |
GdTL 3125 | 3 | 16.6±0.4 | 21.4±0.6 | 480±23 | 2.06±0.09 | 19.6±1.5 | 9.41±1.68 | 12 | 18±5% | Lacustrine peaty layer sands (Fig. below 5) the |
GdTL 3126 | 3 | 17.3±0.4 | 21.9±0.7 | 486±26 | 2.11±0.09 | 23.6±1.5 | 11.12±1.74 | 14 | 18±5% | Lacustrine peaty layer sands (Fig. above 5) the |
GdTL 3424 | 5 | 17.2±0.8 | 24.0±1.2 | 501±42 | 2.20±0.18 | 81.2±2.7 | 37.0±3.1 | 27 | 15±5% | Sandy of sliding layer proluvium at the bottom (Fig. 7) |
Section of lacustrine and underlying gravel deposits, associated with the outburst floods from ice-dammed lakes, of about 200 m long and up to 4 m high, is exposed along “the Chuya-highway” on the slope of the small neotectonic protrusion (foreberg) at the foot of the Kurai range in the northwestern part of the Kurai intermountain depression (Fig. 3a). The artificial outcrop reveals the detailed stratigraphy of the 1570-m a.s.l. strandline of about 100 m width, which is one of the lowest preserved strandlines within the Kurai basin (Fig. 3b). The diluvial (e.g., cataclysmic flood) deposits are represented by two sequences of pebbles, granules, gruss, and coarse and medium-grained sands: the lower one is with horizontal bedding; the upper one, obliquely bedding with boulder lenses at the base. The presence of a large amount of carbonized organic inclusions is typical for both diluvial sequences (Fig. 3c). Lacustrine deposits in Section 1 are represented by two overlying horizons of sandy loam (with a total thickness of 50–80 cm), where fragments of fish scales and a large number of freshwater ostracods were detected (Agatova
The OSL ages of 19.0±1.1 ka (GdTL 2590) and 16.0±1.7 ka (GdTL 2591) for sandy layers below and between the horizons of loams, together with the radiocarbon age of 3920–3370 cal BP (SOAN 9496) for buried soil above the lacustrine deposits indicate the formation of the last ice-dammed lake and rapid draining of the preceding lake in the Kurai basin during Sartan (MIS-2) time (Fig. 4). Four 14C ages for the organic material from the upper diluvial sequence fall within a wide time interval of 24.4–40.4 ka cal BP. Additionally, radiocarbon dating from the lower diluvial pack returned younger and stratigraphically inconsistent ages of about 14.5 and 8.2 ka cal BP.
Section 2 is located within the same neotectonic protrusion and exhibits the Upper Oligocene–Low Miocene peat and brown coal-bearing deposits in natural outcrop of a dry gully about 1.5 km northwest of Section 1 (Fig. 5). These deposits were exhumed to the surface and were affected by winnowing activity of the Late Pleistocene ice-dammed lakes. This is one of the possible sources of ancient organic material. Apparent 14С age of 41830–37700 cal BP (IGAN 4811) of brown coal-bearing Oligocene–Miocene deposits demonstrates the discrepancy between obtained radiocarbon date and paleontological and geochemical features of the studied sediments.
Artificial outcrop along a roadcut of the “Chuya-highway” (section 3, Fig. 6) was studied within the western periphery of the Kurai basin near its outlet. Section 3 reveals the structure of the erosion terrace cut in the lacustrine sediments. It represents horizontally bedded fine and medium sands, which were accumulated in a flowing lake. Sands include several clay layers with ostracod fauna and a single thin (less than 1 cm) layer of peaty material. Along the section, peaty layer breaks down into separate lenses and fragments. Peat was dated by applying radiocarbon method as 40930–35820 cal BP
(SOAN 9505) (Agatova
The artificial outcrop is located on the left-bank terrace of a small stream (the right tributary of the Chuya River), which drains a narrow tectonic depression between the Kurai range and foreberg in the northwestern part of the Kurai basin (Fig. 7). Sedimentation record in this section reveals inter-bedding of alluvial and peat layers (up to 5–10 cm thick) and indicates periodical riverbed migration and accumulation of sediments with peat filling. Earlier, the upper among four organic-rich horizons was dated 23420–22110 cal BP (IGAN 3204) (Rogozhin
Next two sections (5 and 6) are located in the northwestern periphery of the Chuya intermountain depression, in the valleys of temporal creeks, which drain the southern slope of the Kurai range. In this part of the Chuya basin, Jurassic, Paleogene, and Neogene organicrich lacustrine and boggy–lacustrine deposits, including interbeds of brown coals, are widely exposed at the surface, and, according to drilling and geophysical studies, are traced under Quaternary deposits (Devyatkin, 1965; Nekhoroshev, 1966; Luzgin and Rusanov, 1992; Buslov
Section 5 presents a natural outcrop on the left slope of a short gully, which cuts the left slope of the Kamsug valley (Fig. 8). The upper reaches of the Kamsug valley cut an extended area, where Paleogene and Neogene deposits are exposed along the Kurai fault zone at the foot of the Kurai range. Downslope the Kamsug valley cuts are gravel dunes associated with cataclysmic outburst floods from ice-dammed lake in the Chuya basin. In Section 5, deep-angled (18°) cross-bedded layers of gravels and pebbles (up to 2.3 m thickness) rest unconformably on the eroded surface of proluvial deposits.
The proluvial pack is represented by well-stratified loams and sandy loams opened to a depth of about 0.9 m. Inclination of the layers and irregular boundaries between them, turbations, involutions, presence of disoriented lenticular aggregates, etc., testify the later involvement of proluvium into a short-distant solifluctional transportation down the paleo-slope. Definite pedogenic features are evidence of soil formation on the paleosurface of proluvium. Among them are well-developed structures resulted from ice segregation processes, redoximorphic features, and clay coatings. Studied paleosol profile lacks its topsoil and relates to [B] horizons of permafrost-affected soils with satisfactory water supply.
The [B] horizon of the buried soil contains insufficient amount of organic matter for applying LSC 14C dating (after preparation, a 3-kg sample SOAN 9689 showed only 0.4 g of humic acids). Radiocarbon dating of total organic carbon from this location applying AMS technique returned the age 25900–25580 cal BP (IGANAMS 7821), which is significantly younger than previously published AMS 14C date 41540–39470 cal BP (Beta 159972, Herget, 2005). Large scattering of radiocarbon ages is related to a mixture of heterogeneous and heterochronous organic matter pools in dating samples. The Paleogene–Neogene age of the redeposited parent substrate is confirmed by its mineralogical composition and by pollen spectra. Pre-Quaternary conifer pollen, including
The influx of “young” carbon into organic sediments, which contain geological carbon, was demonstrated by obtaining the count of 14C date 50120±2300 years BP (IGAN 5011) for the Upper Oligocene–Low Miocene brown coal from the Taldy–Dyurgun deposit (location 7,
Section 6 presents a natural outcrop on the left slope of a small erosion valley 5 km eastward from Section 5 (Fig. 10). This short valley (among other ones) cuts the Bigdon Hills, which are a tectonic protrusion at the foot of the Kurai ridge (Devyatkin, 1965; Novikov, 2004). The Bigdon Hills are dressed by Paleogene–Neogene
lacustrine and boggy deposits (Nevedrova
Radiocarbon dating of the lowest [B] horizon of buried soil returned the age 17710–16210 cal BP (IGAN 6249). Charcoal is one of the best materials for applying radiocarbon technique, and 14С ages of charcoals from the underlying lens of humus sand show 10180–9330 cal BP (SOAN 9573-1) and 12100–10580 cal BP (IGAN 6008). Dating of enclosing material returned the age 10660–10220 cal BP (SOAN 9573-2). Thus, there is an inversion of obtained radiocarbon ages of buried soil and charcoals. Radiocarbon dating result for paleosol in Section 6 returns erratic (aged) date due to the influx of ancient organic matter. It is noteworthy that the 14C age of the charcoal-containing substrate also turned out to be older than the 14C age of the charcoals. This suggests a single mechanism for the influx of ancient organic material during the accumulation of the upper proluvial–colluvial pack.
Three sections (8a, b, c) presented below, where apparent radiocarbon dates were earlier reported (Agatova
In the Dzhazator valley (Fig. 11a), the Upper Oligocene– Low Miocene brown coal-bearing Koshagach Formation is confined to the southern foot of the highest (up to 3936 m a.s.l.) part of the South Chuya range. Pleistocene tectonic movements caused uplifting of deposits on the ridge’s slope and their further areal sliding (Agatova
Fifteen radiocarbon dates of both redeposited organics and lithified peat–brown coal layers with unbroken structure, obtained in three different laboratories, fell within the interval 16.0–50 ka cal BP (Fig. 2, Table 1), that is, Late Pleistocene. The only one exception is the age 3070–2740 cal BP (SOAN 8709) of the upper partly exposed peaty layer in Section 8c. It demonstrates the predominance of “young” carbon in dated organic matter as a result of modern pedogenesis. There is a large scattering of radiocarbon dates in all studied sections: 40.1–50 ka cal BP, 16.0–42.7 ka cal BP, and 18.3–31.3 ka cal BP (for sections 8a, 8b, and 8c, respectively). In sections 8a and 8c (with the most preserved and redeposited material correspondingly), there is also an inversion of radiocarbon ages. Additionally, scattering of obtained ages is observed not only for a single pack of sediments (up to 26.7 ka and 13.0 ka in sections 8b and 8c), but even for a single sample (Fig. 2). Dating of humic acids extracted from two samples, each of which was divided into three parts, returns broad ranges of calculated radiocarbon ages 21.4–27.7 ka cal BP (SOAN 8711, 9464, 9627) and 18.6–31.3 ka cal BP (SOAN 8712, 9467, 9629). Thus, all reported in sections 8a, b, c radiocarbon dates are apparent ages that reflect neither the age of the sediments nor the time of their redeposition.
It should be noted that complicated sedimentation history in the SE Altai is generally typical for the tectonically active mountain uplifts of Central Asia. Being involved into geomorphic and pedogenesis activity of ancient organic matter of millions and even ten million years old penetrates into young sediment or serves as a parent material for soil formation. Mixing of such originally different organic matter contributes to the final pool of organic carbon in dated samples and affects the results of radiocarbon dating. At the same time, apparent 14C ages obtained often serve as chronological benchmarks in paleogeographical reconstructions without any discussion. Below, we discuss these dates in the context of specific highly debatable regional problems.
As it was mentioned above, currently there are two major concepts of the Pleistocene Altai glaciations. The first one suggests the Last (MIS-2) Glaciation to be the largest among all Pleistocene glaciations which left the most prominent imprints in topography and sediments (Butvilovsky 1993; Rudoy, 2005). In contrast, Devyatkin (1965) supposed the most extensive Middle Pleistocene glaciation was followed by two Late Pleistocene glaciations, with the most recent being the smallest one. Following different concepts of Altai glaciations, there are also several chronological reconstructions of ice-dammed lakes in the Chuya–Kurai basins including the highly debatable issue of accumulation of the last reservoirs:
Due to the lack of numerical age estimations for glacial and associated sediments, single 14C dates (sometimes near or beyond the time limit of radiocarbon method) of organic inclusions in Pleistocene lacustrine and coarse deposits are used as geochronological markers (Svitoch
The time of accumulation of the upper cross-bedded layer in this section is more confidently characterized by the OSL date 19.0±1.1 ka (GdTL-2590) and is confirmed by the OSL age 16.0±1.7 ka (GdTL-2591) of covering lacustrine deposits with fragments of fish scale and freshwater ostracod fauna (Agatova
Another example of a single radiocarbon date, which is of critical importance for regional paleogeography, is uncalibrated AMS 14C age 35870±490 BP (Beta 159972) reported by Herget (2005) in Section 5. This date was obtained for the top of the proluvial pack under cross-bedded diluvial sediment and predates the last ice-dammed lake in the Chuya basin and its cataclysmic draining. The silt layer nearby was dated applying OSL technique (~28 ka, BN 243) (Herget, 2005). Due to low optical quality and expressed low OSL sensitivity of quartz grains, dating was carried out with just a few aliquots, and, according to Wallinga (2002), could not be successful. So, radiocarbon date 35870±490 BP (41540-39470 cal BP, Beta 159972) was used as a chronological benchmark for reconstructing the MIS-2 age of the maximal ice-dammed lake in the Chuya basin and its further cataclysmic draining (Herget, 2005; Herget
At the same time, its solitude and location of the studied section at the place of areal distribution of the Paleogene– Neogene deposits stipulated the importance of the multidisciplinary study of dated organic matter. We argue for the Pleistocene time of the redeposition of Paleogene–Neogene substrate due to several reasons:
New AMS 14C date 25900–25580 cal BP (IGANAMS 7821) significantly differs from the previously reported date 41540–39470 cal BP (Beta 159972) from the same location in Section 5. In both samples, dated material is contaminated with foreign carbon, which cannot be separated by applying modern pre-treatment techniques. These are apparent dates that reflect neither the age of the parent material nor the time of their redeposition and further pedogenesis. Today, the reported OSL date 37.0±3.1 ka (GdTL 3424) is an available chronological benchmark that predates formation of the last ice-dammed lake in the Chuya basin and its cataclysmic draining.
Today, the oldest reasonably described paleosols within the SE Altai are dated by applying radiocarbon method to the early Holocene – 10–11 ka cal BP (Agatova
The Paleogene–Neogene age of organic matter, which was redeposited and served as parent substrate for the Pleistocene pedogenesis, is confirmed by various proxy data presented above. Dated substrate is related to a mixture of heterogeneous and heterochronous organic matter pools. Even though the radiocarbon date 41540–39470 cal BP (Beta 159972) falls within the Pleistocene epoch, this is an apparent age. Detected pollen and nonpollen palynomorphs of Quaternary appearance, including
Generally, for the first time, our multidisciplinary investigations reasonably demonstrate the possibility of pedogenesis within the high mountain basins of the Russian Altai between periods of ice-dammed lake accumulation. Soil formation is one of the processes leading to the contamination of the ancient (Jurassic, Cretaceous, Paleogene, and Neogene) organic matter with “young” carbon – not only at the present time and in the Holocene, but also in the Pleistocene.
Examples of the redeposition of ancient organic matter into the Pleistocene sediments are presented in sections 4 and 3 in the Kurai basin (Figs. 6 and 7). The first one is a layer of organic material (described as fossil soil (Rogozhin
Apparent (aged) radiocarbon date (17710–16210 cal BP, IGAN 6249) for buried soils was obtained in Section 6 located in the small erosion valley, which cuts the Bigdon Hills (Fig. 10). The opportunity to verify this date arose due to finding of lenses with charcoals lying stratigraphically lower in the same section. Radiocarbon dating of charcoals and enclosing substrate shows the early Holocene ages (10–11 ka cal BP). Charcoals indicate the presence of the tree vegetation with diffuse-porous wood, most likely being birch or poplar. Radiocarbon age of charcoals is younger than the age of the enclosing substrate. It suggests a similar mechanism for the influx of ancient organic material in the upper alluvial–colluvial pack as a result of the redeposition of the Paleogene–Neogene substrate covering the Bigdon Hills.
The analysis of available radiocarbon dates for Pleistocene buried soils in the region indicates the contamination of the samples by foreign carbon. It does not allow to determine the time of the late Pleistocene pedogenesis. Presented OSL age 37.0±3.1 ka (GdTL 3424) is a reliable date that predates the oldest known Pleistocene pedogenesis in the Chuya basin.
For clarifying the Cenozoic and particularly the Quaternary tectonic history of the SE Altai, understanding the extent and distribution patterns of the Paleogene–Neogene boggy–lacustrine sedimentation in the region is of vital importance (Devyatkin, 1965; Luzgin and Rusanov, 1992; Agatova
Originally, based on the geomorphic position of Section 8c in the Dzhazator valley, the Holocene age of the peat– mineral layers was assumed. However, the first numerical dating results for thick peaty-rich layers showed the MIS-2 age of studied deposits. In regional paleogeography, it corresponds to the last glaciation. Thus, such discrepancy has cast doubt on the validity of the obtained dates. Further numerous radiocarbon dating revealed large scattering of 14C ages and their inversion, which encouraged multidisciplinary investigations of dated substrate, as well as areal geomorphological investigations to detect the possible source of ancient organic matter (Agatova
In general, different degrees of transformation of the organic material (from the least changed, horizontally bedded, to creased into folds or crashed with broken inner structure and high content of mineral matter) are exhibited in the upper, middle, and lower parts of the sliding slope (sections 8a, 8b, and 8c, respectively). The paleontological and geochemical characteristics clearly indicate the formation of organic material in the Paleogene–Neogene time under the humid meadow–boggy conditions and warm climate. Significant scattering of obtained radiocarbon dates for studied sediments was revealed – 14C ages measured in three different laboratories ranged between 16.0 and 50 ka cal BP (Fig. 2, Table 1). Such valuable scattering, inversion of radiocarbon ages within a section, and discrepancy with other proxy data indicate mixing of heterochronous carbon in OM in individual for each sample proportion. It is a common result of active tectonics and complicated sedimentary history. Like in the above cases, obtained radiocarbon dates are apparent ages, which could not be used as chronological markers. Nevertheless, dating results encourage further detailed study of dated material, as well as areal geological geomorphological investigations.
Multidisciplinary investigations within the SE Altai set a problem of obtaining apparent radiocarbon ages for organic matter, which represent a mix of geological (with the age of several million years) and young carbon. Such mixture in unique for each sample proportions could not be separated today by utilizing standard pre-treatment techniques. The organic-rich Middle and Upper Carboniferous, Lower Jurassic, Paleogene, and Neogene deposits are the sources of old carbon of geological age in the region. Active tectonic movements caused re-exposal of these deposits and their further redeposition as a result of numerous exogenous processes.
Within the SE Altai, the Paleogene–Neogene organicrich lacustrine and boggy–lacustrine deposits are mainly distributed at the foot of the Kurai range in the western and northwestern parts of the Chuya basin. They are exposed at the surface and, according to drilling and geophysical data, are traced under Quaternary sediments. There are also exposures of ancient organic-rich deposits along the south side of the South-Chuya range and to a less degree in some other places in the region. Correct interpretation of 14C dates for paleosols and organic-rich sediments in these locations demands understanding of the origin and sources of dated organic matter. All radiocarbon dates presented in this article are related to a mixture of heterogeneous and heterochronous organic matter pools and cannot be applied for chronological reconstructions of the Late Quaternary climatic and nature events.
Obtaining of apparent radiocarbon ages as a result of contamination of dated substances with extraneous carbon is a quite common problem for tectonically active mountain provinces, although methodological studies in the Russian Altai have not yet been carried out earlier. Within the SE Altai, ancient sediments, affected by short-distant transportation and redeposition, preserve their main paleontological and mineralogical features. It gives an opportunity to verify obtained radiocarbon dates by various proxy data. Without such verification, single 14C dates could hardly serve as reliable chronological markers.