IMPLICATIONS OF REE FOR PROVENANCE IN THE YALU ESTUARY AND ITS ADJACENT SEA AREA

In this paper, rare earth elements (REE) composition and their differentiation patterns are stu-died,geochemical parameters established, and the significance of its provenance implications discussed for the sediments in the Yalu River Estuary and coastal waters. Results show that the total REE of the sediments is high, and the REE composition and differentiation patterns are similar to those of other rivers in the world. LREE are enriched and HREE deficient;the distribution patterns of REE are mainly controlled by source rocks, and factors,such as weathering, grain size and heavy minerals are subordinate;the differentiation of REE composition in the sediments of Yalu River is much weaker than that in the continental crust,so it can be used to represent the average composition of the continental crust. In addition, the REE composition of the sediments in the Yalu Estuary is consistent with the figure from Changjiang and Yellow rivers and different with those from the rivers of Korea. Its differential parameter is similar to the rivers in China,but different with the rivers in Korea. Therefore,the REE composition of the sediments from the Yalu Estuary,may indicate the materials from the hinterland,and be used as a repsesentative of the chemical composition of the terrigenous sediments doposited offshore.