Land Cover and Sediment Geochemistry for Rio Santa Catchment, Peru

Land cover and sediment geochemistry data from the Rio Santa catchment in the Peruvian Andes, collected between 2019 and 2020. The dataset includes major and minor element concentrations determined by X-Ray Fluorescence, organic matter via loss-on-ignition, and particle size data for the wider catchment and Ranrahirca sub-catchment. Research was supported by the Natural Environment Research Council and Newton Fund grant NE/S013245/1.

Use Cases

• Analyze correlations between land cover types and sediment geochemistry, such as major element concentrations, to assess erosion impacts.
• Model organic matter content from loss-on-ignition data across the catchment to study carbon storage in Andean sediments.
• Use particle size data alongside XRF-derived element data to infer sediment transport and deposition patterns within the Ranrahirca sub-catchment.

Strengths

• Data collected during a dedicated 2019-2020 field campaign within the SIGMA: Peru project.
• Includes multiple analytical measurements per sample: XRF for elements, loss-on-ignition for organic matter, and particle size data.
• Provides coverage for both the wider Rio Santa catchment and the specific Ranrahirca sub-catchment for comparative analysis.

Limitations

• Sample size and row count are unknown, limiting statistical power assessments for machine learning.
• Data is static from a single two-year period, lacking temporal continuity for time-series analysis.
• Geographic scope is limited to one catchment in the Cordillera Blanca, Peru, reducing generalizability.

Provenance

Source

Environmental Information Data Centre.

Collection Method

Sediment samples collected in the field; geochemistry determined by X-Ray Fluorescence and loss-on-ignition.

Time Range

2019-2020.

Freshness

Last updated in March 2026, indicating recent metadata maintenance.

Geography

Rio Santa catchment, Cordillera Blanca, Peruvian Andes, including the Ranrahirca sub-catchment.