Abstract:

The stream sediment samples were collected from 12 provinces in South China covering 230 million km2. About 100 samples within each 1∶50000 map sheet were mixed to make up one composite sample. 5244 composite samples were submitted for analysis. The 76 elements were analyzed including 39 elements originally analyzed in the RGNR Projects, and 37 new elements. The analytical scheme is based largely on ICPMS, ICPAES and XRF, supplemented with other techniques. The lowest levels of detection of all elements are less than their crustal abundances. The background values of 76 elements were calculated in Southern China and compared them with the average of national stream sediments, the flood plain sediments, and national sediments and soil. Hg, Cd are highly enriched, REE, As, B, Co, Ni, Pb and other 24 kinds of elements are enriched in Southern China, Na2O, CaO, Ba, and Sr in the sediments are depleted in Southern China.

Key words:  abundance, stream sediment, 76 elements