Elemental geochemistry and provenance of surface sediments from the Laizhou Shoal
莱州浅滩表层沉积物元素地球化学特征及物源识别

Surface sediments collected in the Laizhou Shoal were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer. Chemical analysis was performed to investigate the characteristics of elemental geochemistry of the Laizhou Shoal. The content of each element was normalized by that of Al. The composition of the study area was influenced by regional dynamic conditions. The elemental contents of samples from the western area were slightly higher than samples from the eastern area. However, the tiny fluctuations of all samples reflected they had the same provenance. Compared with the Yellow River, the contents of most major elements and some metal elements, such as Al, Fe, Ca, Mg, Cu and Zn, in the Laizhou Shoal were slightly higher, while the contents of most trace elements were slightly lower. The characteristics of the contents of six major elements and 24 trace elements indicate the sedimentary geochemical composition of the Laizhou Shoal is very similar to the Yellow River, indicating the surface sediments of the Laizhou Shoal partly come from the Yellow River. The differences of elemental characteristics between the Laizhou Shoal and the Yellow River may result form geological background, dynamic conditions, element migration and human activities.