Through sampling and measuring samples of ten modern sedimentary column cores (from 0 to 38 cm) in different sections of the Dianchi Lake, the authors determined the elements, the total phosphorus (TP) and the magnetic susceptibiity values (χ) by different methods. On such a basis, the vertical distribution of the elements, TP and χ in the lake sediments were studied, with a discussion on their environmental significance. It is indicated that the elements are increasingly concentrated and enriched with the depth. From the bottom to the surface of each sedimentary column core, Al2O3, Fe2O3, K2O, TiO2, Cu, Co, Ni, Pb, Zn, Cd, Sr, U, Zr and TP increase slowly, P2O5 and CaO increase similarly and reach the maximum at 12～0 cm, MgO, Na2O, MnO, Cr, V, Rb, Sc, Th, Cs and Ba vary steadily and decrease in the top sediments, and the rare elementsdecrease slowly. These changes show different tendencies, and χ values increase slowly too. These changes reflect the differences of material sources in different periods. Statistical analysis shows that the migration and enrichment of the elements were disturbed strongly by human activities. According to the previous 137 Cs dating results, the sedimentary accumulation rates of the Dianchi Lake in the past 150 years was estimated. It is found that the sedimentary pollution began at the early 1960s, and the pollution of Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, Cr and some otherheavy metals occurred considerably during the period of more than 30 years after the late 1960s. Meanwhile, some sedimentary environmental change events from the late 1920s to the late 1930s were gained. It is demonstrated that the environmental pollution of the sediments in the Dianchi Lake was caused mainly by industrialization, municipal construction, and social and economic development. The resultsobtained provide a new means for understanding the environmental evolution and the pollution process of the Dianchi Lake.