VERTICAL-DISTRIBUTION OF ELEMENTS IN OVERBANK SEDIMENT PROFILES FROM BELGIUM, GERMANY AND THE NETHERLANDS

Major and trace element variations in overbank sediment profiles in th e border area of Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands are described. C -14 and pollen dating, as well as identification of artifacts, were us ed to evaluate whether the lowermost overbank sediments are pristine o r contain anthropogenic input. The variety of lithological units in th e different catchment areas is clearly reflected by the element concen trations and associations in the oldest overbank sediments. Areas wher e Pb-Zn mineralization occurs can be delineated by elevated Pb and Zn values in overbank sediments. The history of Pb-Zn mining in the study area, and the beginning of industrialisation, can be recognised on th e basis of typical element associations in the overbank sediment seque nce. The heavy-metal concentrations of the oldest overbank sediments c an be used as background values for stream sediments in polluted areas . It is, therefore, possible to estimate the degree of anthropogenic c ontamination during the course of history.