A novel protocol for identifying storm derived waves on substrate reworking in lakes: implications for selection of optimal sites for paleolimnological research

Harvey Lake, located within the Atlantic region of Canada, endures many storms, including Hurricane Arthur in 2014, and likely archives lake sediment records including past storm signals. Lakes are often characterized by a single central site, rather than a suite of sites, due to cost and time constraints. This research sought to develop a novel geomatics protocol to optimize coring site selection using a multi-site (n = 96) characterization. Areas prone to resuspension were modeled using lake morphology and historical wind speed records (1953-2015). Modeled resuspension areas agreed with the spatial distribution of sedimentary proxies (i.e., grain size and Itrax-XRF). End member mixing analysis identified a very coarse grain end member that likely reflects the deposition of resuspended sediments. In addition to the central basin, our approach highlighted Herbert's Cove as a suitable coring target as it was in closer proximity to a source of allochthonous sedimentation.