Sedimentation rates and pollution history of a dried lake: Al-Oteibeh Lake

Sediment accumulation rates as well as the distribution of selected elements in a dried Syrian lake (Al-Oteibeh Lake), near Damascus City, are reported. Five core samples from different locations of the lake were collected, and four major elements (Fe, K, Mg and Na) and six trace metals (Co, Ni, Cr, Pb, Zn, U and Cu) were analyzed. Sedimentation rates were determined applying the 210Pb dating method and found to vary between 0.100 and 0.793 cm year−1. The results showed that the constant flux constant sedimentation rate (CF: CS) simple dating model is applicable for dating recent dried sediment and recording the past historical pollution of the last 100 years. However, the method was found to be only applicable for dating trace and major elements, which cannot be leached to deeper layers by rainwater. In addition, the obtained records can be used to verify the date of water level declining.