Heavy Metalspatial Distribution and Pollution Assessment in the Surface Sediments of the North Western Black Sea Shelf

22 surface sediment samples were collected in August 2018 from the Romanian inner shelf (Nord-Western Black Sea). Concentrations of some metals (Al, Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn, As, Pb, and Hg), TOC content, and grain size of sediment samples were determined by specific techniques. The order of accumulation of heavy metals was Zn]Cr]Ni]Cu]Pb]As]Hg. Multivariate analysis indicated that As, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb, and Hg concentrations had similar behavior and they were positively correlated with the clay content, whereas Al and Cr concentrations presented close patterns and they were negatively correlated with the water depth. Sediment pollution assessment indices (enrichment factor, contamination factor, and geo-accumulation index) suggested no/low pollution for most of the metals analyzed, excepting for Pb and Hg (moderate pollution). Values of pollution indices highlighted a higher sediment pollution with Pb and Hg along the Danube s plume direction, in the oil platform area (eastern edge of the Portita Bay), and partially in the Constanta and Mangalia area, suggesting the influence of port activities, tourism, urban wastewater discharges, oil and gas extraction.