Spatial distribution and contamination assessment of heavy metal pollution of sediments in coastal reclamation areas: a case study in Shenzhen Bay, China

Background With the continuous advancement of global urbanisation, humans have begun to overutilise or improperly utilise the natural resources of bay areas, which has led to a series of ecological and environmental problems. To evaluate the spatial distributions and potential ecological risks of heavy metals in sediments of Shenzhen Bay, China, an analysis of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn regarding their content, correlation (Pearson coefficient), pollution degree, and potential ecological risks was conducted. Results The heavy metal contents in the sediments decreased in the order of Zn > Cu > Cr > Pb > As > Cd, with contents of 175.79 mg kg −1 , 50.75 mg kg −1 , 40.62 mg kg −1 , 37.10 mg kg −1 , 18.27 mg kg −1 , and 0.20 mg kg −1 , respectively. The results showed that the overall sediment quality in Shenzhen Bay generally met the China Marine Sediment Quality criteria, and the heavy metal contents were significantly lower than those reported in the same type of bay area worldwide. Furthermore, the order of grade of potential ecological risk of the heavy metals was as follows: As and Cd were found to pose moderate ecological risks, with their potential hazard indices reaching a high level, whereas the potential ecological hazard indices of Cu, Pb, Zn, and Cr were all at relatively low levels. Conclusions The potential hazard indices of the heavy metals decreased from the inner bay toward the outside. The accumulation and content of the analysed heavy metals in the Shenzhen Bay sediments are mainly controlled by historical land-source pollution and land reclamation projects. This study presents the current state of sediment quality in Shenzhen Bay. The results may assist in the definition of future bay area management measures specifically targeted at monitoring heavy metal contamination.