Major and trace element geochemistry of beach sands from northern Kyushu, Japan

The geochemical compositions of beach sand samples from seventeen locations in northern Kyushu were determined by X-ray fluorescence analysis.The results show that SiO 2 , Al 2 O 3 and CaO were the three most abundant elements, with contents averaging 77.24 wt%, 10.62 wt% and 4.76 wt%, respectively.Concentrations of K 2 O, Na 2 O and Fe 2 O 3 were next in abundance.The high SiO 2 contents reflect the abundance of quartz, and high K 2 O and Na 2 O contents relative to Al 2 O 3 indicates presence of significant K-feldspar and sodic plagioclase.Correlations between CaO, Sr and MgO are attributed to abundance of biogenic carbonate material.The combination of these mineral phases leads to dilution of all other elements, and nearly all trace elements (including heavy metals) are present at levels well below those in average Upper Continental Crust.