RARE-EARTH ELEMENT GEOCHEMISTRY IN SEDIME NTS AND NODULES OF THE GUATEMALA DEEP, PACIFIC-OCEAN - INFLUENCE OF EARLY DIAGENESIS PROCESSES

The behavior of REE in sediments, surface and buried nodules of the Gu atemala Deep, Pacific Ocean is considered. The REE composition in nodu les and sediments corresponds to the hydrothermal-sedimentary oceanic deposits. Their characteristic features include the depletion of Ce an d enrichment in heavy REE. Such REE composition is a result of hydroth ermal Fe supply to the sediments and nodules. It was shown that REE co mposition in reactive part of sediments is determined by REE compositi on in Fe-oxyhydroxides and Fe-phosphates. These mineral phases could b e assumed as a source of material for nodules.