Abstract:Two plateau lakes (Lugu Lake and Erhai Lake) with different conditions are selected to show 210Pb geochemical behavior. 210Pb and 137Cs vertical profiles in sediments are measured by the Multichannel Analysis System (Caberra 100) in order to attain creditable sediment accumulation rates. By the Fe-Mn circulation, 210Pbex vertical distribution in the sediments of Lugu Lake and Erhai Lake shows three types of distribution characteristics. But this has no influence on the 210Pbex dating result. Sediment accumulation rates of Lugu Lake and Erhai Lake are 0. 050 -0.051 g·cm a and 0.044 -0.045 g· cm-2a-1 respectively by 210Pbex method which repsents the average sediment accumulation result on 100-year scale. The discrepancy between the 137Cs vertical distribution characteristics and the depositional fluxes is probably caused by the Cs diffusion in early-diagenesis process. However, the Cs diffusion does not change the location of Cs peaks. Sediment accumulation rate of Lugu Lake is 0. 045 土 0. 004g · cm-2a-1 by 137Cs time marker (1964), and that of Erhai Lake is 0. 048 ± 0. 003g·cm-2a-1 (1964), 0. 047 ± 0. 002g-cm-2a-1(1975), and 0. 046 ± 0. 005g· cm-2a-1(1986) respectively which reflects the average sediment accumulation result.