Distribution characteristics and potential risk assessment of heavy metals in seawater and sediment of Liaodong Bay

Distribution of heavy metals (Hg, Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd and Cr) in the seawater and sediments were studied based on data from two oceanographic surveys carried out in Liaodong Bay in May and October 2016. The results showed that the values of heavy metals in seawater represent a uniform distribution, while no trends were detected for spatial distribution. High values of heavy metals in sediment were generally distributed nearshore areas in October. Concentrations of Pb, Zn, Hg in seawater were higher than the national guideline values of Mar. sediment quality of China. Values of Cu, Zn, Cd and Hg were higher than the national guideline values of Mar. sediment quality of China in October, while quality was in good condition in May. Correlation analysis showed that TOC was mainly contributed for the variations of heavy metals. The potential ecological risk analysis of heavy metals indicates that Hg, Cd and Cu should be listed as the priority contaminant metals in Liaodong Bay.