Landfonn Analysis, Vo/. 3:47-61 (2002) The granulometric properties of contemporary aeolian sands in a taiga-steppe area of Eastern Siberia Tadeusz Szczypek Valerian A. Snytko Faculty ofEarth Sciences, Inslilule o/Geography University o/Silesia. Russian Academy a/Sciences, Siberian Bratlch, Bfdziliska St.• 60. 41w200 Sosnowiec. Poland Ulanbutorskaya St., J, 6640331rku/sk. Russia e-mail:
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[email protected] Abstract: The grain size dislribution and quartz grain (1.0-0.8 mm) abrasion degree for the contemporary aeolilln sands occurring in a zone oflaiga and steppe in the neighbourhood of Lake Baileal, in Eastern Siberia, is compared LA with similar features in other aeolian sediments. Five sites in a taiga zone, one in a forest-steppe lone and one in a steppe zooe: have been investigated. Whereas the morpho-fonning influence: of the wind is obvious in lIle area --- investigated, the role of the wind is important only in respect of grain size distribution and is not an imponant foctor in determining in quanz grain abrasion size. Kty word)': Eastern Siberia, modem aeolian processes, aeolian landfonns, aeolian sands Introduction sites lie in the BaikaI rift zone; in the Tunka Basin 00 the wcslern margin ofBaikal; on the wcstcmshorcofOIkhon Aeolian sands in Eastern Siberia area fonn part of Island on Baikal and onthe shores ofthe Bratsk Reservoir genetically quite different sand~gravel deposits, somc on the River Angara. The following sites ofacolian sands ofwhich arc widespread. Such areas have local names have been investigated: oftaiga -1-Rassvc( OD Bratsk - ..tukulans", ,,kuytuns" or "badars" (preobrazhenski, Reservoir, U- Great Khuzhir on Olkhon.