Source characterization and spatio-temporal evolution of the metal pollution in the sediments of the Basque estuaries (Bay of Biscay)

► Spatio-temporal evolution of metal pollution in sediments was performed. ► Processes occurring at different spatio-temporal scales were observed. ► A long-term decontamination process was observed in the most polluted systems. ► Spatial-scale processes were predominant in the less polluted systems.