Abstract: With the data of rare earth elements (REE) of the sediments from the core QDZ03 acquired off the southern Shandong Peninsula recently, we discuss the REE composition and its bearing on provenance of the sediments in this paper. According to the vertical change in REE, grain size and color with age, the core QDZ03 can be divided into 5 segments, including 2 marine and 3 continental segments. The total of REE in the marine is higher than that in the continental facies. The total REE of the core changes between 83.87~219.26μg/g, with an average at 167.55μg/g, which is the same as the north American shale, but higher than those of the upper crust and the Yellow River sediment. Based on the distribution patterns of REEs,using the D/F discrimination function of Ce-La and correlation of LREE/HREE and ΣREE, we infer that the source of core QDZ03 has an obvious change before and after late Pleistocene. Before late Pleistocene, there might be a mixed-source or the sediments have affected by the later environment. The main source after late Pleistocene is mainly from the Yellow River and the local small rivers, especially for the deposits of recent 2000 yr, which are close to the Yellow River sediment.