Similarity measurement algorithm of REE distribution curve and its application for provenance discrimination of sediments in the Yellow Sea

Rare earth element (REE) distribution curves are often used to specify sediments provenance. The REE distribution curves of sediments from the same source are often similar in shape. However, currently, the similarity discrimination of REE distribution curves still relies on visual discrimination by the human eye, which is highly subjective and cannot achieve quantitative discrimination. Therefore, a unified measurement method is needed to realize the quantitative calculation of the similarity of REE distribution, based on which statistical analyses such as clustering and classification were carried out and the information of provenance in REE perspectives was fully explored. An algorithm for measuring the similarity was proposed, and it is independent of the absolute abundance of REE and can effectively map the differences in the shape of REE distribution curves. The clustering results based on this algorithm show that the Yellow River and the Yangtze River are the main provenances of the muddy area in the central part of the South Yellow Sea. The Yellow River clay fractions can be transported to 33 °N of the Yellow Sea by alongshore current, while the Yangtze River clay fractions be carried northward by the Yellow Sea Warm Current as far as to 36 °N of the Yellow Sea. The West Korea Coastwise Front limits the influence of the rivers in the Korean Peninsula to its east. In addition to receiving the supply from the rivers in the Korean Peninsula, the southeast Yellow Sea mud also receives the supply of fine-grained sediments from Chinese rivers.