Geochemical compositions of different size fractions of Korean river sediments

Abstract

Korean and Chinese river sediments have been known to differ distinctively in rare earthelement (REE) composition. In comparison with Chinese river sediments, bulk Korean riversediments tend to be enriched in light REEs (LREE) due to their linkage to felsic igneous sourcerocks. Based on REE composition of bulk sediments, previous studies have suggested thatsignificant proportions of fine-grained shelf sediments in the Korean territorial sea are originated from Chinese rivers. REE composition of river sediments, however, may be variable depending on size fractions because of different mineral composition of different size fraction.eir linkage to felsic igneous sourcerocks. Based on REE composition of bulk sediments, previous studies have suggested thatsignificant proportions of fine-grained shelf sediments in the Korean territorial sea are originated from Chinese rivers. REE composition of river sediments, however, may be variable depending on size fractions because of different mineral composition of different size fraction.