Using desert polish micromorphology to determine the age of geomorphic features and trace the climatic changes of the Quaternary period in northeastern Iran
Subject Areas : Geomorphology
mansour sadeghi
1
*
,
علی محمد نورمحمدی
2
1 - PhD in Geomorphology and Environmental Management, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
2 - PhD in Geomorphology and Environmental Management, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
Keywords: X-ray energy scattering, desert polish micromorphology, cation ratio, Quaternary climate change,
Abstract :
Stone polish consists of a very thin coating ranging from nanometers to micrometers, with a variety of colors ranging from orange to yellow to black, which is formed on the surfaces of stones, especially in hot and dry desert environments. The current research was carried out with the aim of tracking climate changes and dating the geomorphic forms of the northeastern deserts of Iran in the Quaternary period. Based on this, first, samples were collected from different geomorphic levels and transferred to the laboratory to perform the necessary tests. After conducting appropriate analyzes using electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX), the physical characteristics of stone polish such as chemical elements, thickness, microstratigraphy and morphology were studied. took The findings showed that the polished stones are different from their host stones in terms of color, texture and components, and they were formed in very dry climatic conditions with windy processes and severe atmospheric dust. The presence of a higher percentage of iron than manganese indicates the rule of dry climate during the formation of glazes. Also, their cation analysis showed that it is very likely that their formation coincided with the beginning of the dry period at the beginning of the Holocene. Accordingly, the oldest geomorphological forms in the region are sandy plains and old alluvial sediments, and the youngest ones are inselbergs
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