**6. Chemo-stratigraphy**

Chemical characterization of the sediments (BAF-3B; BAF37; BS) investigated applying ICP-Ms analysis and revealed abundances of selected elements (Al, K, Ti, Zr, Rb, Fe, Mn, Ni, V, Cu, Pb, Zn, Mg, Ca, Na, P, Ba, Sr). A selected statistical method is also applied using geochemical data, namely, "factor analysis" (FA). Accordingly, eigenvalues of I and II factors were determined from 16 variables (**Table 2**). Congruent factor load values indicate either the same geological sources or element enrichment processes [26]. However, several element contents (Cu, V, Pb, Zn) were below the detection limits (*bdl*) in the sediment–water interface sediments (core: BAF-3B). These values were not applied for FA approaches.
