The sediments deposited in the anoxic Great Ghost Lake in southern Taiwan, China were undisturbed due to the lake's unique hydrological and geographic conditions. As a result, past cli-matic and environmental records were well preserved. The distinctive white laminations appeared in the generally black sediments are characteristic of lower organic-matter content. and lower C/ P,N/P,S/P and Si/Al ratios,but higher Si/P, Fe/C, Mn/C,Fe/Mn and Mg/Al ratios. These indicate times of cooler/driver climate,poorer plant growth around the drainage area, low-er water-level and more oxidized conditions in the soil and in the water column. On the other hand.the organic-matter-rich black sediments were deposited in a warmer/wetter climate under a more reduced condition. In addition, the variations in the Mg/Al rations seem to reflect at least 12% changes in salinity or water volume, or 2m changes in the water level.