Rare earth element and yttrium geochemistry in sinking particles and sediments of the Jiaozhou Bay, North China: Potential proxy assessment for sediment resuspension.

ABSTRACT

To exploit the resolving ability of rare earth element and yttrium (REY) in resuspension binary mixing model, and discover potential new REY-related resuspension proxy, this preliminary research studied the geochemical signature of REY in different Jiaozhou Bay samples including surficial/core sediments and settling trap-collected particles. Close quantitative relation for bulk concentration in particles, sediments and fine-grained fraction of major river sediments around the Yellow Sea, approved the priority contribution of catchment detrital materials. Moreover, common characteristics occurred for compartment-specific partitioning REY signatures in six operated-defined fractions, and multiple REY normalization pattern indexes (i.e. Y/Ho divergence, and Ce/Eu anomalies). All constrain the application of REY in resuspension discrimination of marginal shallow seas. However, linearity with different slopes and intercepts were plotted for the MREE bulge index versus HREE/LREE figure in reducible amorphous Fe-oxides fraction, which could provide new discrimination perceptions.