Distribution and pollution assessment of heavy metals in the intertidal zone environments of typical sea areas in China

The heavy metals (Cu, Cr, Zn, Cd, Pb) were analysed for 217 surface sediment samples collected across 14 typical intertidal zone areas in China. The data reveals the heavy metals spatial distribution patterns and correlations among their concentrations. Cu, Zn, Cd and Cr showed similar trends of spatial variation and the correlations between the concentrations of every two heavy metals were significantly positive except for the correlation between Pb and Cr concentrations. By using Nemerow index method, Enrichment factor and Sediment Quality Guidelines, it is found that Hangzhou Bay and Jiulong River Estuary were polluted, Yingluo Bay and Dongzhaigang Bay were Cd-rich areas. Except Beidaihe shoal, Sishili Bay and Yingluo Bay that were not exposed to any ecological risk of heavy metals and had no adverse biotoxic effects, the other 11 typical intertidal zone areas were exposed to moderate ecological risk of heavy metals in the sediment with potential adverse biotoxic effects.