Evolution of the Po–Alpine River System during the Last 45 Ky Inferred from Stratigraphic and Compositional Evidence (Ostiglia, Northern Italy)

The stratigraphic and compositional study of three sediment cores recovered close to the Po River near Ostiglia provides clues on changes in fluvial dynamics at transition from last glacial present interglacial. Upper Pleistocene units are dominated by sands with high content volcanic lithics, denoting supply south-Alpine fluvio-glacial tributary system. Early–Mid Holocene unit, peat-rich barren sands, results low waterlogging, encompassing maximum marine ingression. Late characterized fluvial-channel lower volcanics relatively abundant metamorphic records sedimentation since Bronze Age. show a siliciclastic lithic fragments (supplied mainly Apennine tributaries) compared modern sands. This distinctive composition could reflect diversion sediments into southern branch during Age an collector flowing south Roman times Middle Ages. integrated stratigraphic-compositional methods used this permitted reconstruct major climate-related dispersal may be potentially applied other alluvial coastal settings.