Elemental components and maps of fine sand in Taklimakan Desert

ABSTRACT PIXE analysis of a fine sand sample from the Taklimakan Desert revealed 20 elements, of which Na, Mg, Al, Si, Cl, K, Ca, Ti and Fe were found to be the major components. Comparing the determined values of the fine sand sample with determined values of China Loess (CJ-1) and Simulated Asian Mineral Dust (CJ-2), the concentration level (except for Cl) were similar, and Cl was 10 and/or 5 fold. Therefore, fine sand from the Taklimakan Desert was assumed to be the origin of the loess and Aeolian dust transported to Japan. Maps of Al, Si, K and Fe were very similar, but the Ca map was close to the STIM image of the high-energy window, indicating that Ca was likely in relatively large particles