Significato stratigrafico e paleopedologico delle datazioni U/Th relative al cemento calcitico del conglomerato di Sotto Castello (Val Sabbia, Brescia). The stratigraphical and palaeopedological significance of the U/Th dates of the calcitic cement of the Conglomerate di Sotto Castello (Val Sabbia, Brescia - Northern Italy).

This paper discusses the stratigraphical and palaeopedological significance of some isotopic U/Th dates obtained from the calcitic cement of the Conglomerate di Sotto Castello. It seems to be originated from the precipitation of the CaC03 dissolved into the horizons of the overlying Quintilago vetusol, The results are as follows: > 350, 206 and 143.5 kY. The more ancient of which gives a minimum date for the precipitation of the calcitic cement and consequently also for the deposition of the Conglomerate di Sotto Castello as well as probably for the beginning of the development of the Quintilago vetusol, Therefore the gravel of Sotto Castello should be referred to the Early/Middle Pleistocene, while the beginning of the development of the Quintilago vetusols is to be referred to the Middle Pleistocene. The two more recent dates, which are not related to different phases of precipitation of the carbonate, show a decrease in the U content due to the geochemical evolution still active in the calcitic cement.