Grain-Size End-Members of Anguli-Nuur Lake Core Sediments: Evidence for Moisture Variability in Northern China since the Last Deglaciation

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

The manuscript presents an innovative interpretation of the relationship between the data on the grain size composition of lake sediments and changes in climatic conditions. The data was presented correctly. Also the palaeoclimatic conclusions in relation to the stratigraphic data are convincing.

However, I have doubts about the relationship between the deposition processes (runoff, wave and aeolian) and the particle size distribution data. I also propose to refer to the connection of the features of the grain size distribution in the sediment (main fractions) with the disintegration processes of the territorial material and lithodynamic analyzes (weathering processes (literature in detailed notes).

 

Detailed comments:

Line 30 It is worth mentioning lithodynamic analyzes at least on the example of one work.

Thomas R. L., Kemp L.W., Lewis C.F.M., 1972. Distribution, composition and characteristics of the surficial sediments of Lake Ontario. J. Sedim. Petrol ,. 42, 1: 66-84.

 

Line 44 It is also worth adding the publication Żarczyński M., Szmańda J., Tylmann W., 2019, Grain-Size Distribution and Structural Characteristics of Varved Sediments from Lake Żabińskie (Northeastern Poland). Quaternary 2, 8: 3-15: - “Decomposition of grain-size distributions

with the end-member approach allows recognition of relative changes for the deposition of

allochthonous (mineral) and autochthonous (carbonates, (hydr) oxides) components. Grain-size data suggest that sources of allochthonous material remained constant, while varve formation was

controlled mostly by in-lake processes. "

 

In the discussion, please pay attention to the shortages of fractions visible in the grain size distribution of the so-called Tanne Gaps (Fig. 4). Please refer to the views in the discussion:

Spencer D.W., 1963. The interpretation of grain – size distribution curves of clastic sediments. J. Sedim. Petrol. 33, 1: 180-190.

Folk R.L., Ward W.C., 1957. Brazos River bar, a study in the significance of grain size parameters. J. Sedim. Petrol. 27: 3-26.

Tanner W.F., 1958. The zig-zag nature of Type I and Type IV curves, J. Sedim. Petrol., 28: 372--375

Tanner W.F., 1964. Modification of sediment size distributions. J. Sedim. Petrol., 34: 156–164.

Szmańda J.B. (2018) Main determinants of the grain size distribution of overbank deposits in Poland - an overview of literature on models of sedimentation. Geological Quarterly, 62 (4): 873–880.

 

Line 193-197 Fig. 6. Line 277-278

The participation of runoff, wave and aeolian processes is not convincingly justified. Please either relate certain data obtained from the grain-size EMMA method to a logical interpretation or refer to specific references.

 

Line 206-207 “Thus, we infer that a weak summer monsoon and extremely dry conditions occurred in this stage.” On what basis is such inference. Please indicate specifically what dry climate conditions are reflected in the deposition of sand. Is the cause of the shallow water reservoir or the supply of coarse material from the basin of the water reservoir.

Line 216-217 “Thus, we infer that the climate conditions began to deteriorate gradually.”

Please indicate specifically what the deterioration of the climate means "climate conditions deteriorate"

Line 221-223 I propose to link the sedimentation conditions not only with the size but also with the depth of the water in the lake.

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

This is an overall well-written paper, written comprehensive and concise. I found the paper can be published after only minor revisions. The only major comment I like to make is about the interpretation of the transport/depositional processes of the EM2 sediments. I hope the authors can provide more convincing arguments for their interpretations (storm wave-related resuspension of shoreline sediments).

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 3 Report

Please see the attached file

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Round 2

Reviewer 3 Report

The authors have addressed my comments and answered questions from the previous review. The manuscript is improved significantly in its current form. I recommend accepting the paper for publication.