New Datings of Deposits From Odra River Valley - Stratigraphic Consequences and Interpretation at Fluvial Succession

Abstract

Abstract This paper presents organic sediments age analysis in Odra river valley in Słubice, western Poland. In this middle reach of Odra valley reach the uppermost fluvial deposits contain several alternate layers of organic sediments. These deposits have been mostly interpreted as the Holocene fluvial (floodplain) sediments, even if visible admixture of organic matter is not observed. However, there is also another hypothesis. Geotechnical studies conducted in several locations in Słubice, have questioned this interpretation. The main argument was the values of preconsolidation ratio in the range of 0.8 to 5.4, which may suggest, that the analysed sediments were covered by an ice sheet. Also, based on the presence of a clay layer devoid of organic matter impurities in the top of organic deposits, the second one presumes an interglacial (possibly Eemian) age of the discussed fluvial/organic sediments (peats and silts). To verify these hypotheses, six samples from six different boreholes drilled in the Odra river valley, in the centre of Słubice were collected. The results of 14C dating and its interpretation allowed to determine the age of the tested material. All analysed samples from Słubice (Odra river valley) were formed within the last 10,000 years - in Preboreal, Atlantic and Subboreal. Such a result contradicts the earlier stratigraphic interpretations.