Geochemical zones and reconstruction of late Holocene environments from shallow core sediments of the Pachapadra paleo-lake, Thar Desert, India

Lithostratigraphy, mineralogy, major and trace element concentrations, carbon and sulphur contents are investigated from a shallow depth profile from Pachapadra paleo-lake, Thar Desert, north-western India, to understand the phases of paleo-hydrology and paleo-limnology. Based on the geochemical proxies (Na/Al, Si/Al, Zr/Al and Ca/Mg) and evaporite mineralogy, the depth profile is divided into three geochernical zones of variable sediment-water interaction, evaporation and aeolian activity. The sub-recent zone (1) enriched in halite (NaCl) indicates low chemical weathering and higher aeolian input. The intermediate relatively humid zone 11 is enriched in major elements, trace elements and calcite (CaCO3) and reflects higher chemical weathering in the catchments. Zone III is enriched in gypsum (CaSO4 center dot 2H(2)O) and characterised by lower chemical weathering, higher aeolian activity and evaporation. (C) 2006 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.