This dataset contains compound-specific hydrogen (δ2H) and carbon (δ13C) isotope compositions and concentrations of long-chain n-alkanes and fatty acids (n-alkanoic acids) from the ROT21 sediment record of Rotsee, Central Switzerland (47°04′10″N, 8°18′48″E, 419 m a.s.l.). Sediment cores were retrieved in October 2021 using a UWITEC gravity corer, and the dataset spans the past ~13,000 years based on 19 radiocarbon dates (terrestrial and aquatic macrofossils) integrated with 210Pb and 137Cs profiles (see De Jonge et al., 2025). Laboratory analyses were conducted between February 2023 and November 2024 at the University of Basel.
Sediment samples (~2–5 g) were sub-sampled, freeze-dried, spiked with internal standards (n-C19-alkanoic acid, n-C36-alkane, 2-octadecanone, and n-C21-alkanol), and extracted with dichloromethane/methanol (9:1, v/v) using an Accelerated Solvent Extractor (Dionex ASE 350, Thermo Fisher Scientific). Following saponification, neutral fractions were separated via silica gel chromatography, and fatty acids were converted to fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs). Both n-alkanes and FAMEs were further purified to isolate saturated compounds using AgNO3-impregnated silica gel columns, then analyzed and quantified by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC-FID). Peak areas were normalized to recovery standards to account for potential losses during sample handling, and compounds were identified by comparison with external standards.
Compound-specific δ2H and δ13C values were determined by gas chromatography-isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC-IRMS) and normalized to the VSMOW-SLAP (δ2H) and VPDB (δ13C) scales. Analytical precision was ±3-5 ‰ for δ2H and ±0.2–0.3 ‰ for δ13C.
The dataset was generated to reconstruct past hydroclimate and vegetation dynamics in Central Europe using plant wax δ2H records. Full methodological details are provided in the study: Central Europe hydroclimate since the Younger Dryas inferred from vegetation-corrected sedimentary plant wax δ2H values (Santos et al., 2026).
50-cm deep sediment cores were taken in saltmarsh, seagrass, mangroves and unvegetated areas around the German Bight, Malaysia and Columbia in 2022 and 2023. Up to 3 points per ecosystem were sampled along a transect, in total 93 cores were analysed. Carbohydrates were sequentially extracted using MilliQ-water and 0.3 M EDTA for later analyses. Extracts were acid hydrolysed (1 M HCl, 24 h, 100°C) and monosaccharides were analysed using anion exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection (HPAEC-PAD), according to Engel et al., 2011. Briefly, sample analysis was performed using a Dionex ICS-5000+ system with a CarboPac PA10 analytical column (2 × 250 mm) and a CarboPac PA10 guard column (2 × 50 mm). Neutral and amino sugars were separated under isocratic conditions with 18 mM NaOH, while acidic monosaccharides were separated using a gradient up to 200 mM NaCH₃COO.
Porewater was taken from 30 to 50 cm depths in saltmarsh, seagrass and unvegetated areas around the German Bight in 2022 and 2023. Up to 9 points per ecosystem were sampled along a transect. Polysaccharides >5kDa were upconcentrated using AMICON-filtration devide and afterwards freeze dried. Dired samples were resuspended in MilliQ-water and acid hydrolysed (1 M HCl, 24 h, 100°C). Monosaccharides were analysed using anion exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection (HPAEC-PAD, ThermoFisher Dionex ICS-5000+ system equipped with a CarboPac PA10 analytical column (2 x 250 mm) and a CarboPac PA10 guard column (2 x 50 mm)), according to Engel et al. (2011).