Abstract
The small muddy areas developed in the southern Shandong Peninsula have attracted increasing attention from researchers because of complex changes in sediment sources driven by sea-level fluctuations and land-sea interactions since the late Pleistocene. This study investigates the evolution of sediment sources and their responses to environmental changes since the late Pleistocene, using core WHZK01 collected from the nearshore muddy area in southern Weihai for rare earth element (REE) analysis. In doing so, this work highlights the changing patterns of material sources and the primary control factors. The results reveal that the sedimentary deposits in core WHZK01 exhibit distinct terrestrial characteristics. Discriminant function analysis (FD) and source discrimination diagrams both suggest that the primary sources of these deposits are the Yellow River and adjacent small and medium-sized rivers, although the sources vary among different sedimentary units. Furthermore, the DU3 layer (17.82–25.10 m) displays typical riverine sedimentation, dominated by terrestrial detrital input, primarily from the local rivers, namely the Huanglei and Muzhu Rivers. The material in the DU2 layer (14.91–17.82 m) is mainly influenced by a mixture of the Qinglong and Yellow Rivers. The DU1 layer (0–14.91 m) is influenced by sea-level changes during the Holocene, with the Yellow River being the primary source, although there is also some input from local rivers. The changes in sea level during the Holocene and the input of Yellow River material carried by the coastal currents of the Yellow Sea are identified as the main controlling factors for the changes in material sources in the study area since the late Pleistocene, with small and medium-sized rivers also exerting some influence on the material sources. The above mentioned findings not only contribute to a better understanding of the source-sink systems of the Yellow River and adjacent small and medium-sized rivers but also deepen our understanding of the late Quaternary land-sea interactions in the Shandong Peninsula.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Alley, R. B., Mayewski, P. A., Sowers, T., Stuiver, M., Taylor, K. C., and Clark, P. U., 1997. Holocene climatic instability: A prominent, widespread event 8200 yr ago. Geology, 25: 483–486.
Bi, D., Zhai, S., Zhang, D., Xiu, C., Liu, X., Liu, X., et al., 2019. Geochemical characteristics of the trace and rare earth elements in reef carbonates from the Xisha Islands (South China Sea): Implications for sediment provenance and paleoenvironment. Journal of Ocean University of China, 18: 1291–1301.
Bi, S., Kong, X., Zhang, Y., Zhang, X., and Ma, X., 2016. Geochemical characteristics of REEs of shallow sediments in the mud area of southern DingZi Bay and their provenance implications. Marine Geology & Quaternary Geology, 36: 153–162 (in Chinese with English abstract).
Boyton, W., 1984. Geochemistry of the rare Earth elements: Meteorite studies. In: Developments in Geochemistry. Henderson, P., ed., Elsevier, Amsterdam, 63–114.
Chaillou, G., Anschutz, P., Lavaux, G., and Blanc, G., 2006. Rare earth elements in the modern sediments of the Bay of Biscay (France). Marine Chemistry, 100: 39–52.
Chen, X., Li, R., Lan, X., and Wang, Y., 2018. Stratigraphy of late Quaternary deposits in the mid-western North Yellow Sea. Journal of Oceanology and Limnology, 36: 2130–2153.
Cullen, J. L., 1981. Microfossil evidence for changing salinity patterns in the Bay of Bengal over the last 20000 years. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 35: 315–356.
Dou, Y., Li, J., and Yang, S., 2012. Element compositions and provenance implication of surface sediments in offshore areas of the eastern Shandong Peninsula in China. Haiyang Xuebao, 34: 109 (in Chinese with English abstract).
Elderfield, H., and Greaves, M. J., 1982. The rare earth elements in seawater. Nature, 296: 214–219.
Fang, T., Liu, S., Wu, K., Zhang, H., Cao, P., Huang, M., et al., 2024. Sediment provenance variations driven by sea level in the eastern Arabian Sea since the MIS 9 period: Evidence from geochemical proxies. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 266: 106121.
Folk, R. L., and Ward, W. C., 1957. A study in the significance of grain-size parameters. Journal of Sedimentary Petrology, 27: 3–27.
Hu, G., Xu, K., Clift, P. D., Zhang, Y., Li, Y., Qiu, J., et al., 2018. Textures, provenances and structures of sediment in the inner shelf south of Shandong Peninsula, western South Yellow Sea. Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science, 212: 153–163.
Kong, X., Liu, J., Li, W., Zhang, X., and Liang, Y., 2007. Geochemistry of REE and provenance of surface sediments in the littoral area of the northeastern Shandong Peninsula. Marine Geology & Quaternary Geology, 27: 51–59 (in Chinese with English abstract).
Li, D., Xu, X., Liu, X., Cheng, H., Xu, S., and Jiang, X., 2023. Grain size and geochemistry characteristics of core S01-10 from the central Okinawa Trough since 14 ka: Indications for sediment source and the East Asian winter monsoon. Marine Geology, 460: 107053.
Li, J., Liu, S., Feng, X., Sun, X., and Shi, X., 2016. Rare earth element geochemistry of surface sediments in mid-Bengal Bay and implications for provenance. Marine Geology & Quaternary Geology, 36: 41–50 (in Chinese with English abstract).
Lim, D., Jung, H. S., and Choi, J. Y., 2014. REE partitioning in riverine sediments around the Yellow Sea and its importance in shelf sediment provenance. Marine Geology, 357: 12–24.
Liu, J. P., and Milliman, J. D., 2004. Reconsidering melt-water pulses 1A and 1B: Global impacts of rapid sea-level rise. Journal of Ocean University of China, 3: 183–190.
Liu, J., Liu, Y., Yin, P., Gao, F., Cao, K., and Chen, X., 2022. Composition, source and environmental indication of clay minerals in sediments from mud deposits in he southern Weihai offshore, northwestern shelf of the South Yellow Sea, China. Journal of Ocean University of China, 21: 1161–1173.
Liu, J., Saito, Y., Kong, X., Wang, H., and Zhao, L., 2009. Geochemical characteristics of sediment as indicators of post- glacial environmental changes off the Shandong Peninsula in the Yellow Sea. Continental Shelf Research, 29: 846–855.
Liu, J., Saito, Y., Kong, X., Wang, H., Xiang, L., Wen, C., et al., 2010. Sedimentary record of environmental evolution off the Yangtze River Estuary, East China Sea, during the last 13000 years, with special reference to the influence of the Yellow River on the Yangtze River Delta during the last 600 years. Quaternary Science Reviews, 29: 2424–2438.
Liu, J., Song, H., Yin, P., Zhang, Y., and Cao, Z., 2018. Characteristics of heavy mineral assemblage and its indication of provenance in the mud area off the southern coast of Weihai since the late Pleistocene. Haiyang Xuebao, 40: 129 (in Chinese with English abstract).
Liu, J., Wang, H., Li, S. Q., and Jin, X. M., 2004. Postglacial transgressive sedimentary records of muddy sedimentary areas in the north of the South Yellow Sea. Marine Geology and Quaternary Geology, 24: 1–10 (in Chinese with English abstract).
Liu, J., Yin, P., Chen, X., Cao, Z., Wang, S., Wu, Z., et al., 2016a. Sedimentary environmental evolution of mud area off the southern coast of Weihai since late Pleistocene. Marine Geology and Quaternary Geology, 36: 199–209 (in Chinese with English abstract).
Liu, J., Zhang, Y., Yin, P., Song, H., Bi, S., and Liu, S., 2016b. Distribution and provenance of heavy minerals in surface sediments of the Qingdao offshore area. Marine Geology and Quaternary Geology, 36: 69–78 (in Chinese with English abstract).
Liu, N., and Meng, X., 2004. Characteristics of rare earth elements in surface sediments from the middle Okinawa Trough: Implications for provenance of mixed sediments. Marine Geology and Quaternary Geology, 24: 37–43 (in Chinese with English abstract).
McLennan, S., 1989. Rare earth elements in sedimentary rocks: Influence of provenance and sedimentary processes. Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry, 21: 169–200.
Meng, Y., and Fu, M., 2006. Capacity change of marine sediments with and without organic matter for absorption of rare earth elements. Journal of Tropical Oceanography, 25: 20 (in Chinese with English abstract).
Miao, X. M., Zhu, L. H., Liu, Z. J., Hu, R. J., Jiang, S. H., and Zhang, Z. H., 2018. Distribution pattern and source of trace elements in the surface sediments offshore the northestern Shandong Peninsula. Periodical of Ocean University of China, 48(S1): 82–92 (in Chinese with English abstract).
Nesbitt, H. W., 1979. Mobility and fractionation of rare-earth elements during weathering of a granodiorite. Nature, 279: 206–210.
Ning, Z., Han, Z. Z., and Lin, X. H., 2019. Provenance response of detrital minerals from medium and small rivers in offshore southern Shandong Peninsula. Marine Geology Frontiers, 35: 57–68 (in Chinese with English abstract).
Qiu, J., Liu, J., Saito, Y., Yang, Z., Yue, B., Wang, H., et al., 2014. Sedimentary evolution of the Holocene subaqueous clinoform off the southern Shandong Peninsula in the western South Yellow Sea. Journal of Ocean University of China, 13: 747–760.
Qiu, J., Zhang, Y., Kong, X., Xu, G., and Wang, S., 2015. Shallow acoustic stratigraphy of late Quaternary in the coastal and offshore areas of southern of Shandong Peninsula. Marine Geology & Quaternary Geology, 35: 1–10 (in Chinese with English abstract).
Song, Y. H., and Choi, M. S., 2009. REE geochemistry of finegrained sediments from major rivers around the Yellow Sea. Chemical Geology, 266: 328–342.
Taylor, S. R., and McLennan, S. M., 1985. The continental crust: Its composition and evolution. The Journal of Geology, 94(4): 632–633.
Tripathy, G. R., Singh, S. K., and Ramaswamy, V., 2014. Major and trace element geochemistry of Bay of Bengal sediments: Implications to provenances and their controlling factors. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 397: 20–30.
Wang, A. M., Wu, X., Bi, N., Ralston, D. K., Wang, C., and Wang, H., 2022. Combined effects of waves and tides on bottom sediment resuspension in the southern Yellow Sea. Marine Geology, 452: 106892.
Wang, A. P., Yang, S. Y., and Li, C. X., 2001. Elemental geochemistry of the Nanjing Xiashu loess and the provenance study. Journal of Tongji University, 29: 657–661 (in Chinese with English abstract).
Wang, S., Magalhães, V. H., Pinheiro, L. M., Liu, J., and Yan, W., 2015. Tracing the composition, fluid source and formation conditions of the methane-derived authigenic carbonates in the Gulf of Cadiz with rare earth elements and stable isotopes. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 68: 192–205.
Yan, M., Chi, Q., Gu, T., and Wang, C., 1997. Chemical composition of upper crust in eastern China. Science in China Series D: Earth Sciences, 40: 530–539 (in Chinese with English abstract).
Yang, S. Y., and Li, C. X., 1999a. Research progress in REE tracer for sediment source. Advances in Earth Science, 14: 164 (in Chinese with English abstract).
Yang, S. Y., and Li, C. X., 1999b. REE geochemistry and tracing application in the Yangtze River and the Yellow River sediments. Geochimica, 28: 374–380 (in Chinese with English abstract).
Yang, S. Y., Jung, H. S., Lim, D. I., and Li, C. X., 2003. A review on the provenance discrimination of sediments in the Yellow Sea. Earth-Science Reviews, 63: 93–120.
Yang, Z. S., and Liu, J. P., 2007. A unique Yellow River-derived distal subaqueous delta in the Yellow Sea. Marine Geology, 240: 169–176.
Zhang, X., Bi, S., Zhang, Y., Yang, Y., Liu, S., Kong, X., et al., 2016. Provenance analysis of surface sediments in the Holocene mud area of the southern coastal waters off Shandong Peninsula, China. Acta Oceanologica Sinica, 35: 124–133.
Zhang, X., Han, Z., Ai, L., Liu, J., and Ning, Z., 2018. Characteristics and significance of heavy minerals in the surface sediments of the Holocene mud of the Yellow Sea. Periodical of Ocean University of China, 48: 108–118 (in Chinese with English abstract).
Zhang, X., Zhang, Y., Kong, X., Li, A., Liu, S., Chu, H., et al., 2014. Rare earth elements analysis for provenance study of surface sediments off South Shandong Peninsula. Marine Geology & Quaternary Geology, 34: 57–66 (in Chinese with English abstract).
Zhao, Y., 1983. Some geochemical patterns of shelf sediments of the China Seas. Chinese Journal of Geology, 18: 307–314 (in Chinese with English abstract).
Zhu, Y., Bao, R., Zhu, L., Jiang, S., Chen, H., Zhang, L., et al., 2022. Investigating the provenances and transport mechanisms of surface sediments in the offshore muddy area of Shandong Peninsula: Insights from REE analyses. Journal of Marine Systems, 226: 103671.
Acknowledgements
The corresponding author Jinqing Liu, is deeply grateful to his alma mater, Ocean University of China, and his supervisors, for their steadfast guidance and comprehensive support during his master’s and doctoral studies from 2009 to 2016. As the university celebrates its centennial, we extends our heartfelt congratulations and wish it continued prosperity and celebrated achievements. This study was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province (No. ZR2022MD114), and the Project of Global Earth Observation on Asian Delta and Estuary Corresponding to Anthropogenic Impacts and Climate Changes (No. 2019YFE0127200).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding authors
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Zhang, Z., Liu, J., Yin, P. et al. Changes in Sediment Sources in the Southern Muddy Area of Weihai, China, Since the Late Pleistocene: A Record from Rare Earth Elements. J. Ocean Univ. China 23, 1221–1232 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11802-024-5951-z
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11802-024-5951-z