The fluvial dynamics of the Arno River - 3. Sedimentary characteristics.

This paper deals with the sedimentary characteristics of the river, which resulted from the sampling campaign and gives an analysis of the sediments of the Arno River in its entire course. The analysis of these characteristics provides important information on erosion, transport and sedimentation processes. These processes are closely linked to the morphological-sedimentary characteristics of the bed and to the evolutionary dynamics of the water course. In particular, the fluvial dynamics of the Arno have been limited to a great extent, from a planimetric point of view, by the fact that the course of the river has been fixed by embankments and bank protection works. The dynamics have therefore been mainly of an altimetric type and consist of a generalised lowering process of the bottom. A generally high sedimentary deficit was found, evidence of this being the scarcity or absence of sedimentary bodies, bed erosion and the present bank failure phenomena.