The Application of a Combined Fingerprinting Method to Lake Sediments in the Central Highlands of Vietnam

The assessment of lake environments is crucial in tropical regions to ensure clean water access, while local lake sediments may serve as indicators of the local geology and environmental hazards. In this study, a multivariate approach was used to explore the sediment geochemistry of ten small lakes in Dak Lak province in Vietnam, which are characterized by contrasting elemental abundances. Specifically, multivariate analyses (CA and PCA) were applied to three datasets (bulk content, EFAl, and EFFe) of 57 elements and further combined with geochemical indicators and normalized rare earth element distribution patterns. The results enabled the identification of different groups of lakes with distinct geochemical fingerprints related to the major geochemical formations. The applied method can be effectively utilized to discriminate the provenance of surface sediment in water reservoirs, maintaining good coherence even with limited geochemical data. This study provides a foundation for sustainable land use and optimized irrigation in the Dak Lak region, which is under climate change stresses, such as longer and harder droughts.