Abstract: Based on the major elements abundances of the sediment samples from 187 stations in the Yangtze River Estuary and its adjacent offshore areas,R-mode cluster analysis and R-mode factor analysis have been carried out for the major elements in the sediments. The main controlling factors were discussed. Al₂O₃,MgO,K₂O and Fe₂O₃ have similar distribution patterns, whereas SiO₂ is negatively correlated with these oxides. The distribution of CaO and CaCO₃ in the southeast parts of the Yangtze River Estuary and its adjacent area shows a clear link with the source materials related to the biogenic process, whereas the distribution of TiO₂ indicates the direction of sediment transportation. R-mode factor analysis could be used to reveal the main factors which control the element distributions in the surface sediments of the study area.