Rare earth element composition and mass accumulation rates at DSDP Hole 92-598

Site 598 provides an ideal sample suite for this purpose. Samples are lithologically "simple," primarily consisting of a hydrothermal component and biogenous carbonates.

Also, the composition of the hydrothermal component appears unchanged through time or space, and the site appears to have undergone minimal diagenetic alteration. The shale-normalized REE patterns are similar to the pattern of seawater, varying only in absolute REE content. The REE content increases with distance from the paleorise crest and exhibits a pronounced increase in sediments deposited below the paleolysocline.