Control factors of sedimentary dynamic environment zones and element composition of surface sediments in surrounding waters of Weihai

To gain a deeper understanding of modern sedimentation, sedimentary environment, and evolution in the Yellow Sea, the grain size, element geochemical characteristics, and the control factors of surface sediments in the waters around Weihai were analyzed, and the sedimentary dynamic environment discussed. We found that the silt is the major component in the sediments, and its amount gradually increases from shore to sea. The silt content in the northern, eastern, and southern waters of Liugong Island is generally more than 60%. The content of sand fraction decreases gradually from shore to sea. According to the grain size characteristics, the sedimentary dynamic environment in the study area can be divided into five zones or types; and water power gradually weakens from shore to sea. Coastal coarse-grained sediments are affected by river and coastal erosion, and fine-grained materials come from the Yellow River and are controlled by the coastal current around Shandong Peninsula. Most of the common trace elements in surface sediments are affected by particle size, CaO is mainly by carbonate debris, Sr by marine biological factor, K₂O, NaO, SiO₂, Ba and other elements by provenance property, and MnO₂ by particle size and oxidation state jointly.