ABSTRACT: Thirty samples of surface sediments (0-5 cm) from the northern Beibu Gulf were analyzed to determine the spatial distribution, potential risks and sources of six heavy metals (Cr, Cu, Zn, As, Cd and Pb). The concentrations (mg/kg, dw) of Cr, Cu, Zn, As, Cd and Pb were 15.38 ± 6.06, 6.54 ± 3.23, 41.86 ± 17.03, 6.92 ± 2.75, 0.04 ± 0.02 and 17.13 ± 6.38, respectively. Higher levels of Cr, Cu, Cd and Zn were observed in the western part of the study area. According to the potential ecological risk indexes and sediment quality guidelines, the measured metals were assessed at low contamination levels, with Pb posing the largest ecological risks. The results of positive matrix factorization (PMF) indicated that Cr and Zn mainly originated from natural geological background sources, while Cu, As,
