REE geochemistry has been studied with respect to sea-floor sediments in the continental shelf of East China Sea. The average content of RE2O3 is derived as 175 ppm based on 68 samples of the continental Y and La-Lu in the abovementioned shelf sediments, The absolute concentrations of sediments are shown in Table 3. The REE distribution patterns of the sediments demonstrate a distinct depletion in Eu and a negative slope. It is considered that the fragments of Mesozoic intermediate-acid igneous rocks widely distributed in southeastern China are the main souree of REE in sea-floor sediments of the continental shelf.
