This factoris characterized by heavy loadings of the rare-earth elements La, Ce, Sm and Tb. The next-highest loadings, though less than the arbitrary cutoff of 0.5, are displayed by Yb at 0.493 (also a rare earth) and Th at 0.361. This suggests a granitic provenance to the lake sediment, although other variables that would be expected to correlate with the rare earths in such an environment, (U, U in water, Rb) have loadings of absolute value less than 0.2. Scores of this factor also show a positive correlation with sample depth but not with lake area.