Distribution and pollution assessment of trace elements in marine sediments in the Quintero Bay (Chile)

•Assessing levels of pollutant in sediment collected in Quintero Bay Chile.•Comparison of approaches (EF and PCA) to identify possible sources of major and trace elements.•Identification of sources contaminants in marine sediment.

The aim of this study was to assess the levels of heavy metal pollution in the clay/silt fraction (<63 μm fraction) of marine sediments from Quintero Bay, Chile. For this, sediment samples were collected from 14 sites from the bay and analyzed for major and minor element determination. The metal concentrations found suggest an anthropogenic origin related with Cu, Se, Mo, As, Sb and Pb. The mineralogical characteristics of the samples were determined by XRD and selected samples were examined by SEM to determine morphological differences. The results showed heavy metal-bearing particles such as Cu, Zn, As and Pb, which are most likely associated with by the copper smelter.