Some Features of Rare-Earth Element Distribution in Surface Sediments of the Bay of Tonkin (South China Sea)

Abstract

The peculiarities of the distribution of rare-earth elements (REEs) in the surface bottom sediments in the Gulf of Tonkin (South China Sea) are considered. According to the results of granulometric analysis, the sediments are mainly represented by pelitic silt, silty pelite, and miktites. The REE contents normalized to the chondrite composition show the absence of cerium anomaly, the presence of negative europium anomaly and significant fractionation of light and heavy REEs. The values of indicator ratios La_N/Yb_N, Cr/Th, Th/Co, La/Sc, and Th/Sc indicate the predominance of rocks of intermediate and acidic composition in the erosion areas, due to which sediments were formed. The values of the Ce/La and (Fe + Mn)/Ti ratios characterize the surface sediments as typically terrigenous without the admixture of endogenous exhalative material. The Eu/Sm ratio values indicate low permeability of the sediments for upward fluid flows, which is consistent with the measured methane concentrations. The analysis of correlations indicates the dominance of the terrigenous source of REEs and that clay minerals and iron hydroxides play a significant role in the migration and accumulation of REEs.