XRF element data of fluvial deposits from the Weiße Elster catchment

We used stationary XRF spectrometry for analysing elemental composition of bank and streambed samples from Weiße Elster sub-basins (111 grids of 8*8 km). For XRF sample preparation freeze-dried catchment sediments (8 g) were seaved (2mm) to discard the gravel fraction and large organic matter. Further homogenization was undertaken by grinding the samples with a vibratory Retsch mill MM 200. We created uniform pellets by pressing the powdered samples with a carbon-based binding agent in a Vaneox press at 20 t for 2 min. We conducted elemental analyses in a He atmosphere using a Spectro Xepos energy dispersive XRF spectrometer.