Neogene sediments recovered over a continuous interval to a depth of 447 meters below seafloor at Site 1014, Tanner Basin, are dominantly calcareous nannofossils and foraminifers and siliciclastic clays. Their rare earth element composition, normalized to North American Shale Composite standard shale, shows a distribution pattern that closely mirrors that of modern seawater. With a distinct negative Ce anomaly and enhanced heavy rare earth elements over light rare earth elements, the field enclosing 48 different analyses (from Hole 1014A) spans a range of 37-109 ppm in total rare earth elements. Weathering and transportation from a terrestrial source contributed little to the rare earth element composition because the latter was mainly acquired during the course of organic matter production and sedimentation. Pore-water reactions and biogenically driven processes subsequently also contributed a diagenetic overprint.