The dataset Metals_Alorda-Montiel.csv includes data regarding sediment cores collected in the Mar Menor coastal lagoon. Each row corresponds to a sediment section id, which follows this structure: Corename depthmin - depthmax. Example: OPC1 0-1, which applies to the section from 0 to 1 cm from the core OPC1. The variables are Depth (in cm, and accounting for the medium depth of each section), Pb_210 (Pb-210 specific activity, in Bq/kg), Error_Pb_210 (Pb-210 specific activity error, in Bq/kg), Na (g/kg), Al (g/kg), Si (g/kg), P (mg/kg), S (g/kg), K (g/kg), Ca (g/kg), Ti (mg/kg), Cr (mg/kg), Fe (g/kg), Ni (mg/kg), Cu (mg/kg), Zn (mg/kg), As (mg/kg), Sr (mg/kg), Ag (mg/kg), Cd (mg/kg), Pb (mg/kg), Hg (mg/kg), Gravel (%), Sand (%), Silt (%) and Clay (%).

The purpose of this dataset is to show the data used in the article "A Century of Sediment Metal Contamination of Mar Menor, Europe's Largest Saltwater Lagoon".

METHODOLOGICAL INFORMATION

1. Description of methods used for collection-generation of data: Grain size fraction (gravel, sand, silt, clay) was determined using a particle-size analyzer. Pb-210 was determined with alpha spectrometry. Metals were analyzed with an Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer. Total mercury was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometric detection.

2. Instruments, calibration and standards information:

   Particle-size analyzer: Horiba Partica LA-950v2. Alpha spectrometry: Passivated Implanted Planar Silicon (PIPS) detectors (CANBERRA, Mod. PD-450.18 A.M). Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer: Agilent, 7900 model. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry: AMA-254.

   Standards for metals: Reference materials NIST 2702, IAEA 457 and MESS-3.

3. Quality-assurance procedures performed on the data: Standard measurements