DISTRIBUTION AND PROVENANCE OF HEAVY MINERALS IN SURFACE SEDIMENTS OF THE QINGDAO OFFSHORE AREA

Based on the data of 127 offshore sediments and 22 river sediments from Qingdao coastal area, we studied the distribution patterns and mineral provenance of the heavy minerals. The study area is characterized by a heavy mineral assemblage consisting of hornblende-epidote-biotite-limonite-authigenic pyrite. Three mineral assemblage provinces are recognized using cluster analysis. The offshore area around the Tianheng-Qianliyan Islands (Province 1) has a hornblende-epidote-limonite-biotite-actinolite assemblage, derived mainly from the Wulong River, partly influenced by the Yellow River. The offshore area to the east of Laoshan cape (Province 2) has a hornblende-epidote-limonite-garnet assemblage, largely attributed to relict sediment and coastal erosion. The nearshore area of Haiyang-Rushan (Province 3) has a hornblende-authigenic pyrite-biotite-hydrobiotite-epidote-limonite assemblage, indicating mixed sources of the Rushan River, the Yellow River and coastal erosion, dominated by materials from the Yellow River.