SOURCE OF HEAVY METAL CONTAMINATION IN HEINI BAY SEDIMENTS: A CASE STUDY USING FACTOR ANALYSIS

Based on the measured concentrations of heavy metals and organic matter in the surface sediments of the Heini Bay, Shandong, factor analysis was carried out to evaluate the source of heavy metal contamination. Results show that there is Pb, Zn and Cd contamination in the Heini Bay; the contributions of the first three principal components account for 44.656%, 19.068% and 18.098% respectively. It is deduced that degradation of organic matter, ship pollutions and environmental background are the major sources of heavy metals contamination in Heini Bay sediments.