Soil physical-biogeochemical analyses were carried out on profiles NEP1, NEP2 and NEP3. Soil TC and TN were determined by CNS analysis, and total organic carbon (TOC) was determined by the difference between total inorganic carbon (TIC) and TC. Carbonate (CaCO₃) content was measured volumetrically using a Calcimeter and on air-dried, sieved (< 2 mm) and ground (ball mill) samples. The pH-values were measured on samples of profiles NEP1, NEP2, NEP3, which had less than 2% CaCO₃ content.
Stable isotope ratios of δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N were analysed for the differentiation of C3 and C4 plants and the cultivation of legumes. The analyses were performed on air-dried, sieved (< 2mm) and ground (ball mill) samples. For ¹³C analysis, the soil samples were decarbonised with 10% HCl.
In the field, separate samples were collected for the NEP1 and NEP2 profiles (28 samples in total) for analysis of urease activity and microbial biomass carbon (Cmic). Samples were stored at -18°C. Urease activity (enzyme analysis) is used to provide information on the input of urea and animal excrement. The mutual relationship between urease and Cmic was used to show and understand the past and present input of urea into the soil.
The data set bundle comprises geochemical, XRF core scanning and pollen data from composite sediment core BIS-2000, which was compiled from two parallel sediment cores (BIS-1 and BIS-3) obtained near Bispingen, northern Germany (53.071528°N, 9.989861°E, 82.0 m). BIS-2000 comprises Last Interglacial (Eemian) to early Last Glacial (Weichselian) palaeolake deposits, which cover the section between 15.55 and 30.68 m composite depth.
The data set Bispingen BIS-2000 XRF contains results of XRF core scanning. Analyses were carried out at the GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences in Potsdam, Germany, on the section between 15.08 and 31.20 m composite depth. Split sediment core segments were scanned with an ITRAX XRF core scanner and measured intensities of silicon, calcium and titanium were used to calculate the log-ratios log(Si/Ti) and log(Ca/Ti).
The data set bundle comprises geochemical, XRF core scanning and pollen data from composite sediment core BIS-2000, which was compiled from two parallel sediment cores (BIS-1 and BIS-3) obtained near Bispingen, northern Germany (53.071528°N, 9.989861°E, 82.0 m). BIS-2000 comprises Last Interglacial (Eemian) to early Last Glacial (Weichselian) palaeolake deposits, which cover the section between 15.55 and 30.68 m composite depth.
The data set Bispingen BIS-2000 pollen contains pollen percentage values of selected taxa. Analyses were carried out at the University of Bonn, Germany, and at the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa, on the section between 18.19 and 30.68 m composite depth. Sample preparation followed the standard method described by Berglund & Ralska-Jasiewiczowa (1986), including treatment with cool HF and HCl, acetolysis, staining with safranine, and mounting in glycerol. Pollen counting was carried out using a light microscope at 400× magnification and pollen percentages were calculated based on the sum of trees/shrubs (arboreal pollen) and dwarf shrubs/herbs (non-arboreal pollen; excluding aquatic and wetland plants).
The data set bundle comprises geochemical, XRF core scanning and pollen data from composite sediment core BIS-2000, which was compiled from two parallel sediment cores (BIS-1 and BIS-3) obtained near Bispingen, northern Germany (53.071528°N, 9.989861°E, 82.0 m). BIS-2000 comprises Last Interglacial (Eemian) to early Last Glacial (Weichselian) palaeolake deposits, which cover the section between 15.55 and 30.68 m composite depth.
The data set Bispingen BIS-2000 geochemistry contains calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and total organic carbon (TOC) contents (expressed as per cent of sediment dry weight) as well as carbon-to-nitrogen ratio (C/N) data. Analyses were carried out at the GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences in Potsdam, Germany, on the section between 15.55 and 30.72 m composite depth. The CaCO3 content was calculated from the total inorganic carbon (TIC) content, which was measured using a STRÖHLEIN Coulomat 702. In addition, measurements of the total carbon (TC) and total nitrogen (TN) contents were carried out using a LECO CNS-2000 elemental analyser. TOC was calculated as the difference between TC and TIC and C/N was calculated as the mass ratio between TC and TN.