Geochemistry, grain size, VIS reflectance spectroscopy, mass accumulation, diatom and ostracod assemblages derived from lacustrine sediment cores and surface sediment samples from Schweriner See, NE-Germany

Productivity parameter, heavy metals, visible reflectance spectroscopy and diatom assemblages derived from lake sediment from Schweriner See, NE-Germany, were used to reconstruct eutrophication and contamination dynamics for the past 670 a cal BP on a sediment core. The timing of these changes corresponds to (unfiltered) sewage discharge into the lake basin and population dynamics within the catchment. Anthropogenic impact has been strong over the complete observed period with significant increases in eutrophication and contamination after the onset of the Industrialisation, which was dated to 1850+55/-80 within the catchment. Sewage quantity increased until 1988 and so did eutrophication dynamics. The well-dated record allowed to trace counter measurements, which can be divided in intended (e.g. building of a new sewage system) and coincidental measures (e.g. German Reunification in 1990). These contamination dynamics are in accordance with records from other archives from the southern Baltic Sea coast.