Heavy metal concentration profiles and pollution assessment in the Jiangsu offshore area, China

The concentration profiles of various major and trace heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr, Cd, As, Hg, Ni, Li, and Co) were investigated along a 40.1-m-long sediment core in the offshore Jiangsu area of China, to assess their depositional trends and contamination levels. All metals, except Cd, exhibited similar profiles with high average concentrations during the Marine Isotope Stage 2–4 period. The sediment trace-metal concentrations were primarily related to grain size and sediment sources, with almost all heavy metals (except Cd) being positively correlated. Enrichment factors, geoaccumulation indices, and principal component analysis indicated no elemental enrichment or contamination. The high EF and Igeo values of As, Hg, and Li may be related to their background values.