Organic matter in sediments of an acidic mining lake as assessed by lipid analysis. Part I: Fatty acids

► Fatty acid patterns in acidic mine pit lake sediments were studied. ► Microbial communities and sources of sedimentary organic matter were characterized. ► Fatty acid distribution in the surface sediment pointed to significant terrestrial input. ► Fingerprinting of viable bacteria was accomplished through signature fatty acid markers. ► Potential source taxa in the sediment were identified.