Distribution and metal contamination in core sediments from the North Al-Wajh area, Red Sea, Saudi Arabia

Forty-one bottom sediment samples were collected from three cores at the mouth of Wadi Haramel, Wadi Antar, Wadi Dumaygh, north of Al-Wajh, Red Sea, Saudi Arabia, to evaluate the levels of heavy metal contamination, using the enrichment factor (EF), geoaccumulation index (Igeo), contamination factor (Cf), soil pollution index (SPI), and multivariate statistical analysis (hierarchical cluster analysis and principal component analysis). Fe, Al, Pb, Mn, Cu, Ni, Co, Cd, Sr, V, Hg, and Total Organic Matter (TOM%) were quantified by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The vertical distribution of the heavy metals concentrations increased upwards indicating high heavy metals input. The results of enrichment factor and soil pollution index calculations indicate a strong anthropogenic supply of Cd and Sr (SPI = 1.10, 2.70, EF = 18.25, 17.99 respectively) while Cu and Ni show moderate anthropogenic input from urban, industrial activities and some new projects in the northern coast of Saudi Arabia. •Fe, Al, Pb, Mn, Cu, Ni, Co, Cd, Sr, V, Hg, and total organic matter (TOM%) were quantified.•We use the enrichment factor, geoaccumulation index, contamination factor, soil pollution index.•Multivariate statistical analysis (hierarchical cluster analysis and principal component analysis) also used.•Strong anthropogenic supply of Cd and Sr was documented.•Cu and Ni show moderate anthropogenic input.