The impact of large dams on fluvial sedimentation: The Iron Gates Reservoir on the Danube River

Dam construction is one of the major human pressures impacting fluvial processes, including topography and hydro-sedimentary flows, as a result of the change in flow regime from fluvial to fluvial-lacustrine. This article investigates geomorphic changes at Iron Gates I, the largest reservoir on the Danube River, completed in 1972 for hydropower and navigation. The study focuses on a gulf area that emerged at the mouth of the Cerna River into the reservoir, highlighting spatial changes in topography and sediment distribution, based on a diachronic analysis of two datasets before and after the dam was built: one extracted from historical topographic maps and the other obtained from a bathymetric echo sounding survey, integrated within a GIS analysis. The results reveal the dominance of the sedimentation process, with an alluvium layer thickness up to 14 m. The current sediment pattern has changed the submerged morphology, leading to the formation of an alluvial fan at the mouth of the Cerna River and of a sedimentary bar between the Cerna Gulf and the Danube River’s channel. The siltation process together with the current underwater morphology limits ship traffic and the storage capacity of the reservoir.

Lifecycle of an Intermontane Plio-Pleistocene Fluvial Valley of the Northern Apennines: From Marine-Driven Incision to Tectonic Segmentation and Infill

Downcutting and infill of incised valley systems is mostly controlled by relative sea-level changes, and studies on valley-fill successions accumulated independently from relative sea-level or lake-level oscillations are limited. This study focuses on the Plio-Pleistocene evolution of a fluvial drainage system developed in Southern Tuscany (Italy) following a regional marine forced regression at the end of Piacentian. Subsequent in-valley aggradation was not influenced by any relative sea-level rise, and valley morphological and depositional history mainly resulted from interaction between sediment supply and tectonic activity, which caused segmentation of the major valley trunk into localized subsiding depocenters separated by upwarping blocks. Fluvial sedimentation occurred until late Calabrian time, when the major river abandoned that valley, where minor fluvio-lacustrine depocenters allowed accumulation of siliciclastic and carbonate deposits. The present study demonstrates that the infill of the valley was not controlled by the forcing that caused its incision. Accumulation of the fluvial succession is discussed here in relation with localized, tectonic-controlled base levels, which commonly prevent from establishing of a clear downdip stratigraphic correlations. Chronological reconstruction of the study depositional dynamics provides solid constrains to frame them in the tectono-sedimentary evolution of the Northern Apennines.

Quaternary Evolution of the Lower Calore and Middle Volturno Valleys (Southern Italy)

The lower Calore and middle Volturno valleys preserve stratigraphical and morphological evidence and tephrostratigraphic markers particularly suitable for reconstructing the long-term geomorphological evolution of the central-southern Apennines. Aim of our study is to identify the main steps of the Quaternary landscape evolution of these valley systems and to improve knowledge about the relationships between fluvial processes and tectonics, volcanic activity, climatic and human influences. To this purpose, we carried out an integrated geomorphological and chrono-stratigraphical analysis of identified fluvial landforms and related deposits, integrated by 230Th/234U datings on travertines from the Telese Plain area. The study highlighted in particular: (1) fluvial sedimentation started in the Middle Pleistocene (~650 ka) within valleys that originated in the lower Pleistocene under the control of high-angle faults; (2) extensional tectonics acted during the Middle and Upper Pleistocene, driving the formation of the oldest fluvial terraces and alluvial fans, and persisted beyond the emplacement of the Campanian Ignimbrite pyroclastic deposits (~39 ka); and (3) from the late Upper Pleistocene onwards (<15 ka), the role of tectonics appears negligible, while climatic changes played a key role in the formation of three orders of valley floor terraces and the youngest alluvial fans.

Absence of evidence of climate-driven cycles in Carboniferous deposits of Joggins, Nova Scotia, Canada: influence of salt withdrawal tectonics on deposition and pedogenesis

ABSTRACT During the Late Paleozoic Ice Age, the fault-bounded equatorial Cumberland Basin of Nova Scotia experienced rapid subsidence, accumulating kilometer-thick fluvial sedimentary units derived from two highlands to the northwest and southeast. Major variations are recorded in the paleosols exposed at the Joggins Fossil Cliffs, ranging from oxidized and well-drained paleosols with recognizable vertic features to highly reduced organic-rich paleosols. These different soil lithologies suggest alternating conditions between well-drained floodplain environments and water saturation associated with overall poor soil development. Although halokinetic subsidence of the Cumberland Basin is known to have been operative during deposition of these units, previous research favored glacio-eustatic processes as the primary forcing mechanism of sedimentation. A total of 474 fluvial aggradational cycles were identified within a kilometer-thick interval and show a fluctuating accommodation history with a very abrupt nature. The series of fluvial aggradational cycles was used to develop threshold autoregressive models based on 1) their thickness, 2) their paleosol thickness, 3) their sandstone content, and 4) their paleosol-to-sandstone ratio. For each model, results suggest no evidence of statistically significant cyclicity, contradicting the hypothesis that fluvial sedimentation was mainly driven by glacio-eustatic cyclothems. Additionally, a total of 7 lithologies were recognized through 1,655 beds. Evaluation of 8 spherical semivariograms suggests no evidence for cyclicity in the frequency, order, or distribution of the data based on lithologies, although some covariance was found at distances between 550 and 750 m suggesting similar processes controlling sedimentation in the lower and upper Joggins Formation. The Cumberland Basin is known to have been rapidly subsiding, mainly because of ductile deformation of salt deposits in the deeper basinal units. Our results suggest that Joggins records tectonically induced ponding of a part of the sedimentary basin, allowing more extensive preservation of abundant coal and organic-rich units, as well as still-standing fossil forests exposed along the cliffs. These new results suggest that tectonic subsidence of the Cumberland Basin during the Late Paleozoic Ice Age was a more important driver of fluvial sedimentation than previously thought. This novel application of the TAR methodology provides a mathematical description of the sediment accumulation history of terrestrial basins when applied to conformable sedimentary successions, along with the means of linking paleosol development to climatic processes.

Age of sediments on Danube terraces of the Pest Plain (Hungary) based on optically stimulated luminescence dating of quartz and feldspar

The numerical ages available for the sediments on the Danube terraces in the Pest Plain are scarce. In this study, we present quartz OSL and K feldspar post-IR IRSL290 ages for the sandy fluvial, aeolian and slope sediments collected from Danube terraces IIb, III and V.The feldspar post-IR IRSL290 ages without residual dose subtraction are older than the quartz OSL ages, except for one sample, but the two sets of ages are overlapping within one or two sigma errors.In the bleaching experiment under natural sunlight during summer, an unbleachable component ranging from 2.5±0.7 Gy to 5.2±0.3 Gy after 30 h exposure to bright sunshine is observed and it corresponds to 3−8% of the measured K feldspar post-IR IRSL290 equivalent doses. These facts indicate that residual dose subtraction would be necessary before age calculation, in most cases.The saturated fluvial gravelly sand of terrace V of the Danube is older than ~ 296 ka based on feldspar post-IR IRSL290 measurements. This age does not contradict the traditional terrace chronology and the earlier published age data of this terrace. The other studied sediments on the surface of the terraces V, III and IIb deposited much later than the formation of these terraces. They infer aeolian activity and fluvial sedimentation of small streams during the MIS 3 and MIS 2 periods. The age of the dated dune sands with coeval aeolian sediments in Hungary indicate the cold and dry periods with strong wind activity of the Late Weichselian.

Large-scale mass-wasting processes following the 232 CE Hatepe Eruption of Taupo Volcano, New Zealand - Sedimentary features and dispersal of reworked Taupo Ignimbrite in the Ongarue River valley

&lt;p&gt;The 232 CE Hatepe Eruption of Taupo Volcano, New Zealand (also referred to as Taupo Eruption), was one of the most violent and complex silicic eruptions worldwide in the last 5,000 years. The pyroclastic sequence was subdivided into 7 distinct stratigraphic units that reflect diverse eruption mechanisms with pumice fallout unit 5 (Taupo Plinian) and unit 6 (Taupo Ignimbrite) contributing the largest volumes, an estimated 5.8 km&lt;sup&gt;3&lt;/sup&gt; and 12.1 km&lt;sup&gt;3 &lt;/sup&gt;DRE respectively. The non-welded Taupo Ignimbrite was emplaced by a highly energetic flow over a near-circular area of 20,000 km&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt; around the vent, reaching distances of 80&amp;#177;10 km. It consists of an irregular basal layer and a thicker pumice-dominated main unit containing varying proportions of pumice clasts, vitric ash and dense components, overlain by a thin co-ignimbrite ash bed. The main ignimbrite unit shows two distinct facies, a landscape-mantling veneer deposit that gradually decreases from 10 m proximal thickness to 15-30 cm distally and a more voluminous, up to 70-m thick valley-ponded ignimbrite that filled depressions and smoothed out the landscape.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The sudden influx of vast volumes of loose pyroclastic material choked the drainage systems around the volcano, resulting in a large-scale geomorphic and sedimentary response. While previous work focused on major river catchments north to southeast of the volcano, we aim at characterising and quantifying landscape adjustment and remobilisation processes to the west, using stratigraphic, sedimentologic and geomorphic field studies of the volcaniclastic sequences along the Ongarue and Whanganui River valleys. Our working hypothesis involves a four-stage landscape response model based on previously described mass-wasting processes in the aftermath of large explosive eruptions: 1) large-scale remobilisation of ignimbrite veneer material from sloping surfaces by series of debris and hyperconcentrated flows, emplacing lahar deposits across the ignimbrite dispersal area and beyond, 2) cutting of steep channels into valley-ponded ignimbrite and resedimentation as lahar deposits downstream, 3) gradual widening of channels leading to establishment of an active channel with adjacent floodplains as sediment yields decrease and the landscape restabilises, represented by normal stream flow and flood deposits in the ignimbrite dispersal area and a shift from lahar to fluvial- dominated sequences downstream, and 4) return to pre-eruption sediment yields resulting in further downward incision to the original bedrock channel bed and prevailing fluvial sedimentation processes with remnants of primary and reworked deposits preserved as terraces along the valley walls.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Here we present initial results on the stratigraphy of the volcaniclastic sequence and the sedimentary characteristics and dispersal of the identified lithofacies associations, which range from debris-flow and hyperconcentrated-flow to pumiceous fluvial deposits. Tempo-spatial variations in deposit characteristics are due to differences in source material, flow type, and nature of the source area and depositional environment.&lt;/p&gt;

Multiproxy records on the fluvial successions of Assam-Arakan Basin: Implication for paleo-drainage evolution

&lt;p&gt;Assam-Arakan Basin comprises Cenozoic sedimentary successions, located in northeastern India is juxtaposed to both the Himalaya and Indo-Burman Ranges (IBR). The Upper Miocene-Pliocene (Tipam sandstone) and the overlying younger Upper Pliocene-Pleistocene units (Dupi-Tila/Namsang/Dihing) of this foreland basin are fluvial successions. Heavy mineral as detritus provenance indicator has been used as one of the multiproxy records on the fluvial sequences of Assam-Arakan Basin to unravel the drainage system that deposited the same in this basin. Previous workers have advocated that the paleo-Brahmaputra river had initially flowed east of Shillong Plateau before being deflected northwesterly taking the present-day course parallel to the Plateau. However, unequivocal evidence of paleo-Brahmaputra remains enigmatic. The study demonstrates the provenance for the fluvial sedimentary units of the above foreland basin using petrography and heavy mineral distributions. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Electron Probe Micro Analyzer (EPMA) analyses were employed to correctly identify the heavy mineral species and support the semi-quantitative analysis of heavy minerals in the basin. The outcome of the study provides new insights towards the paleo-drainage evolution of the river course accountable for the fluvial sedimentation in the Assam-Arakan Basin. Clast petrography and heavy mineral observations indicate the probable source from Lohit- Dibang valley. Initial analysis of detrital zircon U-Pb ages from studied samples reveals major age peaks at around 500 Ma and 1025 Ma with young ages between 16 Ma and ~140 Ma. These samples do not provide ages &lt; 10 Ma, signifying the sediments not derived from Namche Barwa massif, eroded by the Tsangpo-Siang-Brahmaputra river system. It is in contrast to similar sediments in the Siwaliks of NE Himalaya. The data supports our observation that the paleo-Brahmaputra seems not the cause for these deposits, at least during the Pleistocene. If Paleo-Brahmaputra got diverted during this period, it requires scanning the detritus from Tipam units and additional samples from Dupi-Tila/Namsang/Dihing units across the entire Assam-Arakan range to infer source and drainage system for these deposits. We tentatively propose that the Tipam and the younger Dupi-Tila/Namsang/Dihing units in the Assam-Arakan Basin were deposited by drainage flowing from Dibang-Tezu valley, that was initially linked to the Irrawaddy river system. The uplift along Naga thrust caused drainage migration, eventually meeting the present-day Brahmaputra course.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Keywords: Heavy mineral; Detrital zircon U-Pb ages; Paleo-Brahmaputra; Assam-Arakan Basin&lt;/p&gt;