Geophysical survey on the tectonic and sediment distribution of Qinghai Lake basin

1 Introduction in China, with an area of 4400 km2 and a drainage area With the advancement of global change study, peo- of nearly 29,660 km2[2]. Occurring at a “climatic triple ple are paying more and more attention to the conti- junction” among the East Asian monsoon, Indian nental environment (in which we reside), its evolution Monsoon and the Westerly Jet Stream, it lies in the and its future tendency. As a component of the global transitional belt of the east monsoonal humid areas sys…     

Sediment characteristics and wind-induced sediment dynamics in shallow Lake Markermeer, the Netherlands

In 2007/08, a study was undertaken on the sediment dynamics in shallow Lake Markermeer (the Netherlands). Firstly, sediment characteristics were determined at 49 sites in the lake. Parameters such as median grain size and loss on ignition showed a spatial as well as water depth related pattern, indicating wind-induced sediment transport. Highly significant correlations were found between all sediment parameters. Lake Markermeer sediment dynamics were investigated in a sediment trap field survey at two permanent stations in the lake. Sediment yields, virtually all coming from sediment resuspension, were significantly correlated with average wind speeds, though periods of extreme winds also played a role. Sediment resuspension rates for Lake Markermeer were high, viz. on average ca. 1,000 g m⁻² day⁻¹. The highly dynamic nature of Lake Markermeer sediments must be due to the overall shallowness of the lake, together with its large surface area (dynamic ratio = [√(area)]/[average depth] = 7.5); wind-induced waves and currents will impact most of the lake’s sediment bed. Indeed, near-bed currents can easily reach values >10 cm/s. Measurements of the thickness of the settled “mud” layer, as well as ¹³⁷Cs dating, showed that long-term deposition only takes place in the deeper SE area of the lake. Finally, lake sediment dynamics were investigated in preliminary laboratory experiments in a small “micro-flume”, applying increasing water currents onto five Lake Markermeer sediments. Sediment resuspension started off at 0.5–0.7 cm/s and showed a strongly exponential behaviour with respect to these currents.     

Stable isotopes of water show deep seasonal recharge in northern bogs and fens

Ground water recharge is assumed to occur primarily at raised bog crests in northern peatlands, which are globally significant terrestrial carbon reservoirs. We synoptically surveyed vertical profiles of peat pore water δ¹⁸O and δ²H from a range of bog and fen landforms across the Glacial Lake Agassiz Peatlands, northern Minnesota. Contrary to our expectations, we find that local‐scale recharge penetrates to not only the basal peat at topographically high bog crests but also transitional Sphagnum lawns and low‐lying fen water tracks. Surface landscape characteristics appear to control the isotopic composition of the deeper pore waters (depths ≥0.5 m), which are partitioned into discrete ranges of δ¹⁸O on the basis of landform type (mean ± standard deviation for bog crests = ?11.9 ± 0.4‰, lawns = ?10.6 ± 0.1‰, fen water tracks = ?8.8 ± 1.0‰). Fen water tracks have a shallow free‐water surface that is seasonally enriched by isotope fractionating evaporation, fingerprinting recharge to underlying pore waters at depths ≥3 m. Isotope mass balance calculations indicate on average 12% of the waters we sampled from the basal peat of the fen water tracks was lost to surface evaporation, which occurred prior to advection and dispersion into the underlying formation. These new data provide direct support for the hypothesis that methane production in deeper peat strata is fuelled by the downward transport of labile carbon substrates from the surface of northern peat basins. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

大理地区全新世地层的划分及~(14)C年龄测定

本文就云南大理地区全新世地层剖面的~(14)C年代测定和孢粉分析资料说明,点苍山东麓的砂、砾石层的堆积时代是距今8980±90年—6050±90年。洱海沿岸的湖相沉积物的沉积时代是距今8465±115—25604±75年。洱源地区距地表埋深15米的泥炭层的~(14)C年代为距今11650±135年。该泥炭层可做为全新世底界的标志层。大理地区全新世气候演化是;早全新世温和稍湿;中全新世温暖湿润;晚全新世温和稍干     

Methanogenesis in the sediment of the acidic Lake Caviahue in Argentina

The biogeochemistry of methane in the sediments of Lake Caviahue was examined by geochemical analysis, microbial activity assays and isotopic analysis. The pH in the water column was 2.6 and increased up to a pH of 6 in the deeper sediment pore waters. The carbon isotope composition of CH₄ was between − 65 and − 70‰ which is indicative for the biological origin of the methane. The enrichment factor ε increased from − 46‰ in the upper sediment column to more than − 80 in the deeper sediment section suggesting a transition from acetoclastic methanogenesis to CO₂ reduction with depth. In the most acidic surface layer of the sediment (pH < 4) methanogenesis is inhibited as suggested by a linear CH₄ concentration profile, activity assays and MPN analysis. The CH₄ activity assays and the CH₄ profile indicate that methanogenesis in the sediment of Lake Caviahue was active below 40 cm depth. At that depth the pH was above 4 and sulfate reduction was sulfate limited. Methane was diffusing with a flux of 0.9 mmol m^− 2 d^− 1 to the sediment surface where it was probably oxidized. Methanogenesis contributed little to the sediments carbon budget and had no significant impact on lake water quality. The high biomass content of the sediment, which was probably caused by the last eruption of Copahue Volcano, supported high rates of sulfate reduction which probably raised the pH and created favorable conditions for methanogens in deeper sediment layers.     

湖泊水体微生物四醚膜脂化合物研究进展

来源于微生物膜脂的甘油二烷基甘油四醚类(GDGTs)化合物是近年来被广泛用于古环境定量重建研究的化合物之一,究其原因在于此类化合物对环境响应敏感,特别是温度与pH值等,据此而建立的一系列GDGTs指标有效定量重建海洋、湖泊、泥炭以及土壤等不同沉积载体的环境信息.目前已在全球范围广泛开展湖泊沉积物GDGTs的研究工作,相继建立的全球以及不同区域尺度的湖泊沉积物GDGTs校正方程,已被用于湖泊古环境的定量重建研究,有效记载古湖泊环境变迁信息.相较之下,基于湖泊水体GDGTs的调查工作则起步较晚,但越来越多的研究显示,不同类型湖泊水体普遍贡献GDGTs,然而究竟此类水生来源GDGTs是否与陆源以及湖泊沉积物GDGTs具有类似的分布,以及他们对环境因素的响应如何,这都为湖泊古温度定量重建研究带来不确定性.基于此,本文总结这10年来湖泊水体GDGTs研究工作的进展,首先阐述湖泊水体不同来源(古菌以及细菌)GDGTs的分布情况,研究发现水体不同层位GDGTs浓度以及各组分之间存在差异,并且水深在不同湖泊对GDGTs浓度以及各组分相对比例的影响存在差异.此外还总结湖泊水体中古菌来源isoGDGTs以及细菌来源brGDGTs的生物来源,并进一步分析环境因素对不同深度水体GDGTs分布的影响,虽然温度依然是影响水体中GDGTs分布的首要因素之一,然而湖泊水深、温度以及水体中溶解氧浓度等因素存在着一定的耦合关系,这些因素往往协同作用于水体GDGTs,因此会为评估环境因素对水体GDGTs的影响带来难度.     

The spatial distribution of sedimentary compounds and their environmental implications in surface sediments of Lake Khar Nuur (Mongolian Altai)

Lake sediments are valuable natural archives to reconstruct paleoclimate and paleoenvironmental changes which consist of inorganic and organic sediment compounds of allochthonous origin from the catchment and of autochthonous production in the lake. However, for robust paleo-reconstructions it is important to develop a better understanding about sedimentation processes, the origin of inorganic and organic sediment compounds and their distribution within the lake. In this context, modern process studies provide important insights, although environmental and anthropological changes can affect the spatial distribution of sediment compounds through time. Therefore, in this study the spatial distribution of grain size and geochemical proxies in 52 surface sediment samples from Lake Khar Nuur, a small high-altitude lake in the Mongolian Altai with a small and anthropogenically used hydrological catchment, is investigated. The results show a distinct sediment focussing in the two deep basins of the lake, which therefore act as accumulation zones. In those accumulation zones, total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (N) and their isotopic composition (δ¹³C_TOC, δ¹⁵N) as well as n-alkanes indicate that organic sediment compounds are a mixture of both allochthonous and autochthonous origin. While the recent catchment vegetation consists of grasses/herbs and the shrub Betula nana (L.) with distinct differences in their n-alkane homologue patterns, those differences are not reflected in the sediment surface samples which rather indicates that grass-derived n-alkanes become preferentially incorporated in the lake. Extensive anthropogenic activity such as grazing and housing in the southern part of the catchment causes soil erosion which is well reflected by high TOC, N and sulphur (S) contents and ¹⁵N depleted δ¹⁵N values at the central southern shore, i.e. increased allochthonous sediment input by anthropogenically-induced soil erosion. Overall, the surface sediments of Lake Khar Nuur origin from allochthonous and autochthonous sources and are focussed in the accumulation zones of the lake, while their distribution is both environmentally and anthropogenically driven.     

Radiocarbon and optically stimulated luminescence dating of sediments from Lake Karakul,Tajikistan

Lake Karakul in the eastern Pamirs is a large and closed-basin lake in a partly glaciated catchment. Two parallel sediment cores were collected from 12 m water depth. The cores were correlated using XRF analysis and dated using radiocarbon and OSL techniques. The age results of the two dating methods are generally in agreement. The correlated composite core of 12.26 m length represents continuous accumulation of sediments in the lake basin since 31 ka. The lake reservoir effect (LRE) remained relatively constant over this period. High sediment accumulation rates (SedARs) were recorded before 23 ka and after 6.5 ka. The relatively close position of the coring location near the eastern shore of the lake implies that high SedARs resulted from low lake levels. Thus, high SedARs and lower lake levels before 23 ka probably reflect cold and dry climate conditions that inhibited the arrival of moist air at high elevation in the eastern Pamirs. Low lake levels after 6.5 ka were probably caused by declining temperatures after the warmer early Holocene, which had caused a reduction in water resources stored as snow, ice and frozen ground in the catchment. Low SedARs during 23–6.5 ka suggest increased lake levels in Lake Karakul. A short-lived increase of SedARs at 15 ka probably corresponds to the rapid melting of glaciers in the Karakul catchment during the Greenland Interstadial 1e, shortly after glaciers in the catchment had reached their maximum extents. The sediment cores from Lake Karakul represent an important climate archive with robust chronology for the last glacial–interglacial cycle from Central Asia.     

Changing Contributions of Suspended Sediment Sources in Small Basins Resulting from European Settlement on the Canadian Prairies

Lake sediments provide an integrated record of the sediment yields and sources in the contributing basin. In the research area on the prairies of western Canada, the earliest sediments deposited in the larger lakes predate European settlement, allowing direct evaluation of basin response to settlement. Lake sediment cores were collected from an unnamed lake in the Stony Creek drainage basin in the aspen parkland region of eastern Saskatchewan. Pre- and post-settlement sediments in a central core were separated on the basis of an increase in Populus pollen associated with the southward advance of the aspen parkland ecotone caused by fire suppression following settlement. A wet chemical extraction procedure was used to separate the operationally defined organic fraction, the acid-soluble authigenic fraction, and biogenic silica from the clastic, non-carbonate, allogenic fraction of the lake sediment. Changes in the mineralogy and geochemistry of the clastic, allogenic fraction indicate that settlement resulted in an increased contribution of topsoil to the sediment load of Stony Creek. Elemental ratios, however, show that topsoil did contribute to the allogenic lake sediment fraction prior to settlement. Post-settlement changes in deposition rates of the allogenic fraction resulted from changes in land use rather than from climatic variability. Allogenic deposition rates reached a maximum in the 1950s and 1960s owing to an increase in the area under field crops and the increased use of high-powered agricultural machinery. Allogenic deposition rates decreased in more recent years because of a more extensive application of soil conservation measures. Post-settlement changes in deposition rates of individual elements within the allogenic fraction indicate that various sediment sources respond differently to changes in land use. Over the most recent 100 years, since the onset of European settlement, the erosional response of the basin appears to be controlled by land use changes rather than by climatic variability. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Sediment Yield of Kamchatka Krai Rivers into the Pacific Ocean and the Seas of Bering and Okhotsk

Sediment yield of Kamchatka Krai rivers into the Pacific Ocean and the seas of Bering and Okhotsk, is evaluated, including that from the drainage basins that are not covered by regular observations. Regression dependences of specific suspended sediment yield (SSSY) on factors determining it were constructed for erosion regions identified in Kamchatka Krai. The total average many-year yield of suspended sediments of Kamchatka Krai rivers into the Pacific is 11.4 × 10⁶ t/year, 73.9% of which is transported by rivers of the eastern coast and 26.1%, by those of the western coast. Among other factors, such distribution is attributed to the location of the majority of volcanoes on Kamchatka eastern coast. About one third of all sediments transported from Kamchatka Krai territory is discharged by the two largest rivers in the region, i.e., the Penzhina and Kamchatka.     

Anisotropy and depth‐related heterogeneity of hydraulic conductivity in a bog peat. II: modelling the effects on groundwater flow

Anisotropy and heterogeneity of hydraulic conductivity (K) are seldom considered in models of mire hydrology. We investigated the effect of anisotropy and heterogeneity on groundwater flow in bog peat using a steady‐state groundwater model. In five model simulations, four sets of K data were used. The first set comprised measured K values from an anisotropic and heterogeneous bog peat. These data were aggregated to produce the following simplified data sets: an isotropic and heterogeneous distribution of K; an isotropic and homogeneous distribution; and an anisotropic and homogeneous distribution. We demonstrate that, where anisotropy and heterogeneity exist, groundwater flow in bog peat is complex. Fine‐scale variations in K have the potential to influence patterns and rates of groundwater flow. However, for our data at least, it is heterogeneity and not anisotropy that has the greater influence on producing complex patterns of groundwater flow. We also demonstrate that patterns and rates of groundwater flow are simplified and reduced when measured K values are aggregated to create a more uniform distribution of K. For example, when measured K values are aggregated to produce isotropy and homogeneity, the rate of modelled seepage is reduced by 28%. We also show that when measured K values are used, the presence of a drainage ditch can increase seepage through a modelled cross‐section. Our work has implications for the accurate interpretation of hydraulic head data obtained from peat soils, and also the understanding of the effect of drainage ditches on patterns and rates of groundwater flow. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

太湖不同生态型湖区枝角类组成和丰度长期变化的差异性

枝角类作为淡水湖泊生态系统中的初级消费者之一,对生存环境的改变极为敏感.本文分析了太湖西、中和东部等湖区的钻孔沉积物、表层沉积物以及春夏秋季活体枝角类的组成与丰度.结果表明:活体枝角类组成以象鼻溞(Bosmina spp.)为优势种,秋季枝角类属种数量最多.太湖不同生态型湖区表层沉积物枝角类组成均以象鼻溞为优势种,其中西部与中心湖区的枝角类组成与丰度较为相似,种类单一,枝角类绝对丰度高;东部湖区枝角类属种较为丰富,绝对丰度低,优势种由浮游种象鼻溞以及沿岸种圆形盘肠溞(Chydorus sphaericus sl)和西方笔纹溞(Graptoleberis testudinaria)等种属构成.百年以来,太湖枝角类组成与丰度随着营养水平增加而改变,富营养指示种(Bosmina longirostris)丰度的增加与贫营养指示种(Bosmina longispina)丰度的下降,响应了湖区生态环境的演变过程.1970s末期,太湖西部与中心湖区在进入富营养化阶段,枝角类组成单一,象鼻溞占有绝对优势,与东部湖区相比,沿岸种、底栖种稀少.东部湖区在1960s以后,枝角类属种数量增加,但丰度下降,响应了1960s以来该区域营养水平提高、沉水植被生物量增加以及沼泽化加剧的环境过程.     

太湖富营养化湖区秋季水体和沉积物中硝化微生物分布特征及控制因素

微生物参与下的氮循环是富营养化湖泊十分重要的生物地球化学循环过程.采用基于amoA功能基因和16S rRNA基因的荧光定量PCR、PCR-DGGE与高通量测序等分子生物学技术,调查秋季太湖不同水体和表层沉积物中氨氧化古菌(AOA)、氨氧化细菌(AOB)和亚硝酸盐氧化菌(NOB)群落丰度和组成,探讨影响硝化微生物分布的关键环境因子.结果表明,中度富营养化的梅梁湾湖区水体表层、中层和底层水样和表层底泥中AOA amoA基因的丰度分别低于轻度富营养化的湖心区,而不同层水样中AOB amoA基因的丰度分别高于湖心区.梅梁湾湖区和湖心区水样中AOA群落组成基本相似,2个湖区表层沉积物样品中AOA群落组成亦基本相似,水体中AOA群落组成与表层沉积物中AOA群落组成有差异,AOA群落丰度显著受硝态氮、pH和DO影响;表层沉积物中AOB群落丰度有明显差异且显著受总氮含量影响,表层沉积物中NOB群落丰度也有明显差异且显著受亚硝态氮含量影响.太湖梅梁湾湖区和湖心区水体与表层沉积物AOA群落包括Nitrosopumilium和Nitrosotalea两大属;表层沉积物AOB群落主要包括亚硝化单胞菌(Nitrosomonas)和亚硝化螺菌(Nitrosospira)两大属,NOB群落主要包括硝化刺菌(Nitrospina)和硝化螺菌(Nitrospira)两大属,其中硝化螺菌属是淡水湖泊中比较少见的亚硝酸盐氧化菌.影响太湖水体和沉积物中AOA和AOB丰度的最主要环境因子为总氮、总磷与铵态氮.研究表明典型富营养指标(总氮、总磷、铵态氮、硝态氮和硝态氮等)是影响太湖梅梁湾和湖心区水体和沉积物中AOA或AOB丰度以及硝化微生物群落丰度的重要因素.     

The impact of pro‐glacial lakes on downstream sediment delivery in Norway

Glacier recessions caused by climate change may uncover pro‐glacial lakes that form important sedimentation basins regulating the downstream sediment delivery. The impact of modern pro‐glacial lakes on fluvial sediment transport from three different Norwegian glaciers: Nigardsbreen, Engabreen and Tunsbergdalsbreen, and their long‐term development has been studied. All of these lakes developed in modern times in overdeepened bedrock basins. The recession of Nigardsbreen uncovered a 1.8 km long and on average 15 m deep pro‐glacial lake basin during 1937 to 1968. Since then the glacier front has been situated entirely on land, and the sediment input and output of the lake has been measured. The suspended sediment transport into and out of the lake averaged 11 730 t yr^?1 and 2340 t yr^?1 respectively. Thus, 20% remained in suspension at the outlet. The measured mean annual bedload supplied to the lake was 11 800 t yr^?1, giving a total transport of 23 530 t yr^?1 which corresponds to a specific sediment yield of 561 t km^?2 yr^?1. A 1.9 km long and up to 90 m deep pro‐glacial lake basin downstream from Engabreen glacier was uncovered during 1890 to 1944. The average suspended sediment load delivered from the glacier during the years 1970–1981 amounted to 12 375 t yr^?1and the transport out of the lake was 2021 t yr^?1, giving an average of 16% remaining in suspension. The mean annual bedload was 8000 t yr^?1, thus the total transport was 20 375 t yr^?1, giving a specific sediment yield of 566 t km^?2 yr^?1. For Tunsbergdalsbreen glacier, measurements in the early 1970s indicated that the suspended sediment transport was on average 44 000 t yr^?1. From 1987 to 1993 the recession of the glacier uncovered a small pro‐glacial lake, 0.3 km long and around 9 m deep. Downstream from this, the suspended sediment load measured in 2009 was 28 000 t yr^?1, indicating that as much as 64% remained in suspension. Flow velocity, grain size of sediment, and morphology of the lake are important factors controlling the sedimentation rate in the pro‐glacial lakes. A survey of the sub‐glacial morphology of Tunsbergdalsbreen revealed that there are several overdeepened basins beneath the glacier. The largest is 4 km long and 100 m deep. When the glacier melts back they will become lakes and act as sedimentation basins. Despite an expected increase in sediment yield from the glacier, little sediment will pass these lakes and downstream sediment delivery will be reduced markedly. Beneath Nigardsbreen there was only a small depression that may form a lake and the sediment delivery will not be significantly affected. © 2014 The Authors. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.     

A modified landform development model for the topography of drained thermokarst lake basins in fine‐grained sediments

Permafrost degradation associated with the expansion of thermokarst lakes is commonly interrupted by catastrophic drainage. Subsequently, in tundra areas, permafrost aggradation in drained basins leads to uneven topography characterized by raised centres and wet, depressed margins. The genesis of such topography has been investigated in Old Crow Flats (OCF), a glaciolacustrine plain in the continuous permafrost of northern Yukon. The thermokarst lakes of OCF have a mean depth of only 1.5 m because excess ice is dominantly found only in the uppermost 10 m of the ground. Surface conditions were measured in three drained thermokarst lake basins, including relief, snow conditions, ground temperatures, near‐surface ground ice, and sediment stratigraphy. Four nearby lakes provided information on wave base, shore recession patterns, and bathymetry before drainage: the bottoms of these lakes were not raised in the centre. An elevation difference of up to 2 m was recorded between drained basin margins and centres but was not associated with variations in ice‐wedge density or segregated ice content. Hence basin topography was not controlled by differences in volumetric ground‐ice content between margins and centres. We propose that transport of fine sediment away from eroding lake margins during lake development is the primary mechanism for the genesis of depressed margins and raised centres in drained basins of OCF. Over time, the transport results in the deposition of more and finer sediment in the central parts of lakes, where the lake bottom has subsided below wave base, than at the shallow margins, where resuspension by wave action occurs frequently. This difference in sediment volume is revealed in the topography after drainage, when permafrost aggrades in the lake‐bottom sediment and underlying talik. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Sediment yields and sources in a welsh upland lake-catchment during the past 800 years

Estimates of suspended sediment yield over the past 800 years have been derived from a whole-basin study of lake sediments in Llyn Geirionydd, North Wales. Magnetic and physical sediment properties were used to correlate a suite of cores to a master chronology based on ²¹⁰Pb and ¹⁴C dates. The sources of sediment within the catchment were identified by comparing the magnetic and heavy metal properties of sediments, soils, and stream sediments. Mean suspended sediment yields range from 6 to 18 t km^?2 yr^?1 with high yields in the periods 1765-1830 and 1903-1985 corresponding to mining activities in the catchment. The impact of earlier deforestation, agricultural expansion, or climatic change on sediment yields is low, although there is evidence that agricultural activities increased levels of peak stream discharge. Afforestation in the 20th century does not appear to have significantly increased sediment yield. Sediment sources have remained fairly constant through time; they appear to be widespread and dominated by stream channel sides rather than point sources, except during the mining phases when spoil material has dominated the sediment load. Sediment loads to the lake today are still dominated by sediment derived from unvegetated spoil heaps.     

Interactions between groundwater seepage and sediment porewater sulphate concentration profiles in lake anna,Virginia

Most sulphur diagenesis models predict that SO₄^2- concentrations decrease exponentially with increasing sediment depth and are lower than that of the overlying water throughout the sediments. Low SO₄^2- concentrations (less than 0.2 mM) are common in the sediments of Lake Anna that receive acid mine drainage; however, sediment with as much as 20 mM SO₄^2- at about 20cm below the sediment surface is also seen in this section of the lake. A decision tree was proposed to investigate the cause of the high SO₄^2- concentrations at depth (HSD) in the sediment. The first possibility proposed was that an increase in the quantity of groundwater flowing through Lake Anna sediments may increase groundwater advection of SO₄^2- or oxygen which would induce sulphide oxidation. This hypothesis was tested by measuring groundwater flow. HSD profiles were found in a discrete region of the lake; however, stations having these profiles did not have higher groundwater flow than other sites sampled. Alternate explanations for the HSD profiles were that the region in which they occurred had: (1) unusual sediment chemical compositions; (2) a different source of regional groundwater, or (3) a lateral intrusion of high SO₄^2- groundwater. There were no differences in sulphide and organic matter concentrations between the two regions. The area which has HSD in the sediment covers a large area in the middle of the lake, so it is unlikely that it has a unique source of regional groundwater. The third alternative was supported by the fact that in all three sample years, HSD stations were located in the preimpoundment stream channel, which is a likely lateral flow path for groundwater containing high SO₄^2- concentrations.     

PAH-profiles in sediment cores from the Baltic Sea

To document the historical input the PAH-profiles of sediment cores in two different basins of the Baltic Sea, the Gotland Basin (GB) and Arkona Basin (AB), were analysed by means of GC-MS. 35 PAHs were quantified in all samples, and additionally, several marker PAHs, like Cyclopenta[cd]phenanthrene (CCP) for combustion processes and retene for terrigenous input, were quantified in selected samples. The preindustrial sediments (older than 200-250 years) in the GB core illustrate concentrations <100 ng PAH15 g(-1) d.w. Calculated PAH-ratios indicated combustion processes as the main sources for both basins. The Perylene concentrations within the sediment cores decrease with increasing depth, along with an increase in relative percentage, indicating slow diagenetic processes. The preservation and enrichment of the introduced PAHs was more pronounced in the GB core.