We used stationary XRF spectrometry for analysing elemental composition of bank and streambed samples from Weiße Elster sub-basins (refined grids of 44 km). For XRF sample preparation freeze-dried catchment sediments (8 g) were seaved (2mm) to discard the gravel fraction and large organic matter. Further homogenization was undertaken by grinding the samples with a vibratory Retsch mill MM 200. We created uniform pellets by pressing the powdered samples with a carbon-based binding agent in a Vaneox press at 20 t for 2 min. We conducted elemental analyses in a He atmosphere using a Spectro Xepos energy dispersive XRF spectrometer. The XRF element data of the refined 44 km sampling grid of recent fluvial sediments in the direct proximity to the Salsitz transect are provided here. The data set has to be understood as a supplement or densification of the 8*8 km sampling grid of the Weiße Elster river catchment: doi:10.1594/PANGAEA.937926.

Measurement reproducibility; [character, unitless]:very good: very good reproducibility, highly reliable datavery good: very good reproducibility, highly reliable data; BUT: individual values are not secured, since concentrations are based on measurements with 1000 pulses, secured: Se (column AT/AU)/ samples WE_41A, WE_50C, WE_51B, WE_51D moderate: moderate reproducibility (values can definitely be used in terms of proportions within this data set), BUT: individual values are not secured, since concentrations are based on measurements with < 1000 pulses, not secured: Nb (column BF/BG)/samples WE_41C, WE_50Cpoor: data should be treated with caution, since the values were measured close to the detection limit!