REE Geochemistry of Surficial Sediments from the Yellow Sea of China

REE geochemical studies of surficial sediment samples from the Yellow Sea of China have shown:(1)The average content of RE2O3 in the Yellow Sea sediments is 175 ppm,close to that in the East China Sea sediments.The REE distribution patterns in the Yellow Sea sediments are also similar to anomalies.These REE characteristics are typical of the continental crust.(2)The contents of REE are controlled mainly by the sediment grain size,i.e.,REE contents increase gradually with decreasing sediment grain size.REE are present mainly in clay minerals.In addition,REE contents are controlled obviously by heavy minerals.REE abundances in heavy minerals are much greater than those in light minerals.(3)Correlation analysis shows that REE have a close relationship with siderophile elements,especially Ti,which has the largest correlation coefficient relative to REE.Terrigenous clastic materials subjected to weathering and transport are suggested to be the main source of REE in the Yellow Sea sediments.

REE geochemistry of surficial sediments from the Yellow Sea of China

REE geochemical studies of surficial sediment samples from the Yellow Sea of China have shown: (1) The average content of RE₂O₃ in the Yellow Sea sediments is 175 ppm. close to that in the East China Sea sediments. The REE distribution patterns in the Yellow Sea sediments are also simliar to those in the East China Sea sediments, both being characterized by negative slopes and negative Eu anomalies. These REE characteristics are typical of the continental crust. (2) The contents of REE are controlled mainly by the sediment grain size. i. e., REE contents increase gradually with decreasing sediment grain size. REE are present mainly in clay minerals. In addition, REE contents are controlled obviously by heavy minerals. REE abundances in heavy minerals are much greater than those in light minerals. (3) Correlation analysis shows that REE have a close relationship with siderophile elements, especially Ti, which has the largest correlation coefficient relative to REE. Terrigenous clastic materials subjected to weathering and transport are suggested to be the main source of REE in the Yellow Sea sediments.