Total sedimentation rates, organic and inorganic carbon sedimentation rates, and C:N ratios were measured monthly from May 2006 until August 2013. Data were collected in sediment traps deployed at the deepest points of six gravel pit shallow lakes (Beeston, Church, Clifton, Coneries, Tween, and Main) at the Attenborough Nature Reserve, UK (52.883, -1.233). All collected sediment was homogenized and freeze-dried before analysis. Total sedimentation rates were estimated as follows: total sedimentation rate = (sediment weight/area sediment trap)/deployment time. The total carbon and nitrogen content were measured in subsamples of the sediments collected in the traps on an elemental analyzer (vario ISOTOPE select) in elemental CN measuring mode. Inorganic carbon was removed from subsamples of the sediments through an acidification treatment to quantify total organic carbon. Inorganic carbon content was estimated as the difference between total carbon measured before and after acidification. Organic and inorganic carbon sedimentation rates were calculated based on the percentage of organic or inorganic carbon relative to the total sedimentation rates. Organic carbon and nitrogen masses were converted to molar masses to calculate the C:N ratios. See all details in Franco-Cisterna et al. under revision in L&O.