Subsidence due to peat oxidation and impacts on drainage infrastructures in
a farmland catchment south of the Venice Lagoon
G. Gambolati, M. Putti, P. Teatini
Dept. Mathematical Methods and Models for Scientific
Applications, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
G. Gasparetto Stori
Consorzio Bonifica Adige-Bacchiglione, Padova, Italy
ABSTRACT
Large agricultural areas
reclaimed in the past century, south
of the Venice Lagoon, have experienced
significant land subsidence
due to oxidation of peat organic
soils. This has exposed the region to
flood hazard particularly during
severe storms and has contributed to
increase the marginal management
cost of the infrastructures (ditches,
levees, pumping stations) designed
to operate the drainage system.
Direct measurements and indirect
evidence from the channel network
suggest a land settlement between
1.5 and 2 m over the past 70 years.
This paper provides an overview of
the problem with important information
on its most recent evolution.
