Multielemental determination by instrumental neutron activation analysis and recent sedimentation rates using Pb-210 dating method at Laguna del Plata, Cordoba, Argentina

Laguna del Plata (Cordoba, Argentina) is a small saline lake connected to L aguna Mar Chiquita. Its level fluctuations have changed notably through the centuries with both high level (HLP) and low level (LLP) periods. The radi onuclides Ra-226 and Pb-210 were analyzed in a core to determine dates and sedimentation rates. The elements As, Ba, Br, Co, Cr, Cs, Fe, Hf, Na, Rb, S b, Sc, Se, Ta, Th, U, Zn, Zr and rare earth Ce, Eu, La, Lu. Nd, Sm, Th and Yb were determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis. Statistical analysis of elemental concentrations (cluster analysis) reflects the assoc iation of the samples along the core according to the provenance of the sed iments and if they had been deposited during HLP or LLP.