BaselineTrace metals in the surface sediments of the intertidal Jiaozhou Bay, China: Sources and contamination assessment

- The trace metal concentrations in the intertidal Jiaozhou Bay are analyzed.
- The area's sediments are characterized by high levels of trace metals.
- Possible trace metal sources are discussed.
- The anthropogenic inputs of Cd and Pb are the most significant.

The major (Al) and trace metal (Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr, Cd, and As) concentrations in 29 surface sediment samples from the intertidal Jiaozhou Bay (JZB) are evaluated to assess the contamination level. The results show that the overall sediment quality in the area has been obviously impacted by trace metal contamination. The geoaccumulation index and the enrichment factor values indicate that no Cr or Cu contamination has occurred on the whole, only a few stations have been polluted by As, and some areas have been polluted by Cd, Pb, and Zn. Principal component analysis suggests that the Cu, Pb, Zn, and Cd are derived from anthropogenic inputs and that Cr, As, Cu, and Zn are influenced by natural weathering processes. Cu and Zn may originate from both natural and anthropogenic sources. The contamination in the northeastern JZB is higher than that in other areas of the bay.