Abstract: 147 surface sediment samples and 46 river samples were collected from the offshore area of the South Shandong Peninsula and surrounding rivers for study of the distribution pattern of major elements and its controlling factors. The results show that the main elements of SiO₂, CaO and K₂O are lower than the average of these elements in other coastal areas, whereas Al₂O₃, MgO, TFe₂O₃ and heavy metal elements are higher. Grain size of surface sediments, input of surrounding rivers and human activities are the main reasons for the element distribution pattern.