Heavy metal contamination and its ecological risks in the sediments of daliaohe estuary

To find out heavy metal pollution in and ecological risks of the sediments in Daliaohe Estuary, 19 surface sediment samples were collected from Daliaohe Estuary and analyzed for contents of Cu, Pb, Zn and Cr. The Indices of Geo-accumulation and Mean Sediment Quality Guideline Quotient were employed to evaluate the pollution status and ecological risks. Similar results were obtained through these two methods, both indicating that heavy metal pollution mainly concentrated in the mid estuarinze zone and the coastal area. The pollution status of the analyzed heavy metals showed an order of Pb>Cr>Zn>Cu. In conclusion, the pollution of heavy metals in the study area is not serious, but there existed moderate potential for biological toxicity and adverse effects.