Multiproxy investigation of a Holocene sedimentary sequence near Ferrara (Italy): clues on the physiographic evolution of the eastern Padanian Plain

Abstract

Purpose This paper investigates soils and sediments from the eastern Padanian Plain (northern Italy) in order to delineate the physiographic evolution of the area. Materials and methodsWe present new geochemical, mineralogical and textural analyses of alluvial sediments collected from a 13-m-deep section located a few kilometres south of Ferrara. The chronology of the related depositional events is provided from 14 C dating of tree trunks buried at depths of ca. 9 m and organic matter from the underlying horizons. Results and discussionThe data indicate that (1) the upper part of the sequence (down to depths of 9 m) includes sediments characterized by low nickel-chromium (Ni-Cr) concentrations ascribed to the alluvial deposits of the river Reno, deposited in the last 400 years; (2) buried soils (depths of 9-10.5 m) developed on Ni-Cr-rich sediments related to the river Po; and (3) the deeper facies (depths of 10.5-13 m) are CaCO 3 -free and characterized by higher amounts of organic carbon, sulphur and arsenic, reflecting episodic lacustrine/marsh environments. These wetlands probably developed in the area during the Iron and Roman ages, persisting up to the Middle Ages. ConclusionsThe data provide a contribution to the understanding of the evolution of the river network during the last 3,000 years and provide insights on the related paleohydrological framework that can be useful for geographical and historical reconstructions of the area. Results highlight the importance of investigating alluvial sediments to elucidate (1) fluctuations of environmental conditions and (2) anthropogenic impacts on the natural landscape. Keywords Geochemical analyses . Holocene alluvial deposits . Padanian Plain . Italy . Po and Reno Rivers . Radiocarbon datings Responsible editor: Marcel van der Perk

Combination of wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence analysis and multivariate statistic for alluvial soils classification: a case study from the Padanian Plain (Northern Italy)

“…Many authors have successfully used the XRF to study the alluvial sediments of Po River. [7][8][9][10][11][15][16][17]25] In our laboratory, each sample was preliminarily quartered, dried at 60°C for 24 h in order to eliminate the hygroscopic water and then powdered using an agate mortar. Subsequently, an amount of about 4 g of powder were pressed with addition of boric acid by hydraulic press to obtain powder pellets.…”

“…The discrimination between these two distinct families of soils has been already reported by several authors that emphasised that sediments of the Po River (and the related soils) are comparatively enriched in chromium and nickel with respect to those of the Reno River. [7][8][9][10][11][15][16][17] The purpose of the presented research was to evaluate if the classification methodology described earlier is also able to find out the depositional environment for the Reno sediments. F1 and F2 factors loadings were calculated for Reno sediments using the same number of variables reported in Table 3.…”

“…[5,[7][8][9][10][11][15][16][17] In particular, Bianchini et al [7][8][9] and Amorosi et al, [15] by using WDXRF analysis, identified the natural origin of the high content of heavy metals that characterise these sediments. High natural chromium and nickel concentrations are related to important contributions from ultramafic rocks present in Po River basin.…”

“…Wavelength dispersive X‐Ray fluorescence has been the basis of many studies on the soils of the Po River Plain . In particular, Bianchini et al .…”

Multiple X‐ray approaches to discriminate the origin of liquefied sand erupted during the 2012 Emilia Romagna earthquake

“…These various X‐ray techniques are widely used for the identification of the sediment provenance and origin, particularly in complex geological and geomorphological environments such as floodplain areas. In floodplains in fact, the sedimentary deposits may derive from the contribution of several rivers, causing serious difficulties in defining the detailed architecture of the stratigraphic succession.…”