The fact that the TE concentrations in sediment cores of different lakes show a very similar behavior among each other leads to the conclusion, that they were mainly introduced via diffuse atmospheric deposition. estimated the atmospheric emission of TEs from anthropogenic sources in Europe per country for the year 1979. The order of emitted element concentrations from highest to lowest was Zn > Pb > Cu > As > Cr > Ni > Cd. This is similar to the order found throughout all lakes in this study, indicating that besides the geogenic background, the atmosphere or rather anthropogenic industrial activity is the primary source. Still, an influence of other anthropogenic activities in the vicinity of the lakes cannot be completely excluded. This includes direct run-off from settlements or input from treated or untreated wastewater and other surrounding waterbodies for example, although no clear indications were discernible for most lakes. The only exception is Lake ST, which has been impacted by the nuclear power plant Rheinsberg, see below.