Content and distribution of trace metals in surface sediments from the northern Bering Sea, Chukchi Sea and adjacent Arctic areas

► Compared to other sea area in the Arctic, there are still few studies on the environmental behaviors of pollutants in the study area. ► The study provided a good coverage of trace metals concentrations in surface sediments over a wide geographical extension of the Arctic and northern Pacific oceans. ► The accurate assessment of the current trace metal contamination in the study area was evaluated by geoaccumulation index. ► The study investigated the relationship between trace metal concentrations and some physical-chemical parameters of sediments.