In this study, a total of 274 surface sediments from the offshore area of Shandong Peninsula were collected and analyzed for grain-size, total organic carbon (TOC), and major elements. The results show that SiO₂ is the highest major element, followed by Al₂O₃ as the second. The results of correlation and R-factor analysis suggested that the distribution of major element in the surface sediments from the offshore area of Shandong Peninsula can be classified to three groups. These three groups may probably represent terrigenous, marine biogenous and marine authigenic sediments respectively. The chemical weathering index of the surface sediments varies from 50~65, depending upon their provenance. The CIA and TiO₂/Al₂O₃ values suggest that the Huanghe sediments are mainly deposited along the offshore area of Shandong Peninsula, controlled by the coastal currents and the sea bottom geomorphology.