Silver and lead in high-altitude lake sediments: Proxies for climate changes and human activities

► We present trace-element contents and Pb isotopic ratios in sediments from high-altitude lake in the French Alps. ► Pb and Ag contents are dominated by input from a lead-silver vein located few meters from the lakeshore. ► Advances of glaciers produced sediments with high Ag-Pb contents and Pb/U ratios due to increased erosion of the vein. ► Reduced glacier activity led to the formation of organic-rich sediments with high U and As contents and low Pb/U ratios. ► Medieval mining activities are marked by huge Ag concentration peaks.