Heavy metals contamination levels at the Coast of Aliağa (Turkey) ship recycling zone

► This is the first study information about pollution of heavy metals in sediment of the Aliağa Bay. ► Sediment were investigated to evaluate an environmental risk assessment from metals contamination. ► The TEL/PEL analysis suggests that sediments were likely to be contaminated by heavy metals. ► The metal pollution are due to unmanaged shipping activity, shipbreaking industry, steel works and petrochemical complex in Aliağa Bay.