X-LAKE: Resolving chemical element variations in lake sediments through high-resolution XRF analyses

X-LAKE is a novel application where new limnological methodology will be coupled with geomorphological expertise for enhanced understanding of lake sediment variability. X-LAKE plans to apply XRF as a tool for detailed examination of selected sediment rec ords along the coast of Norway. Through XRF analyses it is possible to quantify chemical element variations at high temporal resolution. Chemical element variations can be linked to local erosion processes and to atmospheric deposition. Lakes are in both cases naturally sediment sinks storing the hidden history of the past. X-LAKE intends to close a gap in knowledge of natural chemical element variability in lakes from sub-arctic to high-arctic Scandinavia. Thus X-LAKE intends to underpin implementation o f new methodology by a series of detailed studies in order to ensure that the methodology can be applied as a quantitative tool. The project aims to study both distal-fed glacial lakes and lakes without input of melt-water. This is done in order to distin guish between chemical element variations liked to local erosional processes and those linked to atmospheric deposition. X-LAKE is an efficient project by doing re-analysis of already retrieved cores through other Norwegian research programs (NORPAST-2 an d NORPEC) for further extraction of information. The X-LAKE consortium and the collaboration with GFZ provide some new and exiting aspects by its interdisciplinary approach combining quaternary geology, limnology and statistical analyses. The main deliver able from X-LAKE will be annual to quadrennial resolved time series of chemical element variations from sub-arctic to high-arctic Scandinavia. Both the results and the methodology will give potential of envigourating the collaboration with the climate dyn amics and climate modelling communities through the potential for obtaining annually resolved records.