Heavy metals in surface sediments of the continental shelf of the South Yellow Sea and East China Sea: Sources, distribution and contamination

- Heavy metals in the sediment of the continental shelf of the SYS and ECS were analyzed.
- The sediments are characterized by low levels of heavy metals.
- The anthropogenic inputs of Cd and Pb are the most significant.
- Heavy contamination occurred along the eastern coast of Shandong Peninsula and southwest of the Changjiang River mouth.

The heavy metals in surface sediments of the continental shelf of the South Yellow Sea (SYS) and the East China Sea (ECS) collected in 2016 were analyzed to assess the heavy metal distributions, contamination status, and likely sources. The metal concentrations generally met the China Marine Sediment Quality criteria. However, the enrichment factor and geoaccumulation index values clearly showed elevated Cd and Pb concentrations in the region. Cd and Pb contamination occurred mostly to the southwest of the Changjiang River mouth and to the east of the Shandong Peninsula because of rapid economic and industrial development. The results are likely to be useful for authorities responsible for sustainable coastal zone management.