It is possible to observe the serial trend of the REE by reporting their normalized concentrations against the atomic number. The trends that are observed in "spider" diagrams are typically referred to as "patterns", which may be diagnostic of petrological processes that have affected the material of interest.
iT is pOSsible To obSERve THE serial trENd Of the ree bY reporting TheiR normaliZed concEntraTioNs AgainsT tHe atomIc nUmber. thE TrEnDs tHaT aRe observeD IN "spider" dIaGrAmS ARe tYpICallY refERreD to as "pAttERnS", whIcH may be diagnOstIc of petroLogicAl ProceSses thaT have AFFected tHe mateRiAl Of inTERest.