## 1 Introduction  
Holocene archives of the Eastern Mediterranean region are shaped by complex topography and climate heterogeneity, combined with increasing human impact on the landscape since the Mid-Holocene. Since geodynamic forces do not change drastically during the lifespan of archives such as lakes and lagoons, sedimentation processes seem to be mainly controlled by climatic modulations and anthropogenic interference. Studies conducted in the Eastern Mediterranean on lacustrine environments [1; 2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7; 8; 9; 10; 11] and lagoons [12; 13; 14; 15; 16; 17] present intricate patterns of alternating sedimentological facies, mirroring global or local-scale paleoclimate/paleoenvironmental events and changes. Depending on the prevailing conditions in a lake catchment, accumulation of annual sedimentation layers (varves) may occur. The importance of annually laminated sediments in paleoclimate studies has been highlighted by many authors (for an extensive review, see [18] and [19]) since they can provide high-resolution chronostrigraphic records. Recent studies conducted on varved sediment records [20] focus on lake water conditions [21; 22], pollen records [23], sediment characteristics [24; 25] and analogue approaches [26]. The lack of bioturbation on the lake bottom, stratification of the water column, lack of tectonic activity and gravity originated sediment relocation are some of the most common parameters controlling laminae preservation. Hence, the conservation of such delicate structures is rare and, most of the time, difficult, due to the high number of factors that have to remain constant; hence, varve sequences are often incomplete or interrupted, e.g., [27; 28; 29; 30]. In Greece, Holocene carved sediment archives have only been recorded in the Aetoliko lagoon [31; 32; 33]. Changes in precipitation and solar irradiance were reflected in varve thickness and isotopic composition, with a significant climatic transition during the 18 th century [34]. The main reasons behind the deficiency of varved records could be attributed to (1) complex topography and atmospheric patterns that lead to the spatial and temporal diversion of climate and (2) extensive tectonic activity disturbing regular sediment accumulation. Differentiating sedimentological facies in such complex sediment sequences requires high-resolution analyses with the combined use of different techniques. Non-destructive X-ray-based systems like X-ray fluorescence (XRF) scanning and computed tomography (CT)/u-computed tomography scanning (uCT) have been widely used since their introduction in the last decades, as common and hence standard techniques, because they can potentially provide information concerning elemental distribution [35; 36; 37; 38; 39; 40; 41], sediment structural characteristics [42; 43; 44; 45; 46], density [47] and porosity [48; 49; 50; 51; 52; 53] without disturbing/destroying the sediment sequence. Both X-ray-based systems are subject to the same principles since they emit X-rays onto a sediment sample. During the elemental analysis, the XRF system measures the wavelength of the electromagnetic waves produced by secondary electrons of each element. In contrast, in CT scanning, the system calculates the absorption of the X-ray beam from each atom it passes (attenuation coefficient). The interaction between radiation/matter and the absorption/fluorescence ratio (Compton/Rayleigh) is highly dependent on sample thickness, density, elemental composition, and X-ray energy [54]. In this study, we present a partly laminated sediment record from Vouliagmeni coastal lake, located at the eastern part of the Gulf of Corinth in Greece, covering the last 12,000 years BP. Preliminary results of this study focusing on CT scan analysis were published in [55]. The core location is one of the most seismically active regions in the world [56]. Combined with the general lack of laminated records in Greece, this signifies the importance of this sediment record in Eastern Mediterranean paleoenvironmental research.