The current pollution status and potential ecological risk assessment of heavy metals in surface sediments of Lianzhou Bay of Guangxi

The surface sediments of Lianzhou Bay were sampled and the heavy metal contamination was monitored.Distribution and contents of the heavy metals were comparatively analyzed,and the pollution and ecological risk assessment of heavy metals in the surface sediments was investigated by applying the single factor index and Hakanson potential ecological risk index.The results showed that the average contents of heavy metals Cu,Zn,Pb,Cd,Hg were lower than the first level of heavy metals in marine sediment regulated in the GB 18668-2002 and the contents were relatively higher in the southern region of Lianzhou Bay.The overall contamination level of heavy metals in the surface sediments of Lianzhou Bay was intermediate,and the pollution levels of heavy metals followed the order: Cd Cu Pb Zn Hg.The overall level of potential ecological risk of heavy metals in the sediments was low,while the single potential ecological risk of heavy metals followed the order: Cd Hg Cu Pb Zn.Cd was the key factor of potential ecological risk.