Distribution, contamination and provenance of heavy metals in sediments from the nearshore area of Weihai City, eastern Shandong Peninsula, China

We analyzed eight heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr, Cd, Hg, As, and Ni) in 85 seabed sediments off the coast of Weihai City, eastern Shandong Peninsula, China, to reveal their distributions, enrichment status, and pollutant sources. Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr, As, and Ni were enriched in all bays in both the inner and outer waters. However, Cd and Hg were more abundant in Weihai Bay, followed by Rongcheng Bay and Chaoyang Port, with denser populations and more developed industries near the coast. Most areas exhibited slight contamination with As and Pb, with relatively severe contamination in localized areas. Moreover, Weihai Bay showed slight contamination with Cd, Zn, and Hg. Heavy metals are largely influenced by the discharge of anthropogenic pollutants along the coast. It is recommended to implement strict control measures on the discharge of waste into the sea, and ensure the sustainable development of the marine ecological environment. •85 surface sediments were used to assess the enrichment of heavy metals.•Slight enrichment of As and Pb occurred in most areas.•Cd, Zn and Hg showed slight contaminations in Weihai Bay due to human activities.•Cu, Cr, As, and Ni in most areas had adverse effects on aquatic organisms.•Pb in Weihai Bay and outside Jinghai Bay had occasional bio-toxicities.