Exploratory studies of loch-sediment chemistry and soil history from a 10, 000+ year old core from Loch Hellisdale, South Uist, Outer Hebrides

Energy dispersive x-ray microanalyses and total diatom counts of sediments from the remote Loch Hellisdale on South Uist reveal a pattern of soil changes, erosion and acidification that matches sequences identified elsewhere in upland Britain. The changes are the results of the interactions of climatic fluctuations, soil maturation, vegetation changes, peat spread and soil acidification and human impacts in the catchment. Chemical changes in the loch’s sediments also appear to reflect biological activity and decay processes within the loch. The abundances in the core of the infrequently studied elements Vanadium and Titanium appear to be indicative of physical erosion of sediments or soils in the catchment.