Stanol Data From Sediment and Catchment Soil Samples in Chisholm Lake, Alaska, 2021-2023

This dataset contains concentrations of stanols analysed by Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) from Chisholm lake, Alaska, USA (64.302268, -146.68733) sediment and catchment soil samples. This study aimed to improve understanding of long-term human impacts to this sub-arctic watershed and lake system by generating proxy records of human presence using fecal sterol analysis. The fecal sterol record spans the last ~2,500 years, facilitating comparisons with both historical and archaeological records from the region. Fecal sterols were extracted following the protocol outlined by Mackay et al. (2020; reference provided in methodology). Briefly, this involved extraction from the soils and sediments using microwave assisted extraction, saponification, Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) and silica gel column separation, methylation and GC/MS analysis. The research took place in 2021-2023.