Evaluation of elemental composition of sediments from the Adriatic Sea by using EDXRF technique

723 sediment samples collected along the eastern Adriatic coast have been analyzed using Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence. Factor Analysis and GIS have been used for the evaluation of the resulting data base containing information on K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Br, Rb, Sr, Y, and Pb concentration levels in order to find spatial relationships in distribution of measured elements. This study can be used to identify background values and to evaluate sediment quality standards. ► Sediment samples from the Adriatic Sea were analyzed for 16 chemical elements. ► Anomalies in distribution of elemental concentrations have been determined. ► FA was used to find factors related to concentration distributions. ► Chromium is naturally elevated in the eastern Adriatic Sea up to 410μgg−1.