The distribution, contamination status, and ecological risks of heavy metals in Tahaddart estuary were investigated. 24 surface sediment samples and two cores were collected and analyzed for major (Al and Fe), heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn), and grain size composition. The heavy metals assessment was carried out using different environmental indices. The results indicated that the spatial distribution patterns of Al, Fe, and Zn were mainly determined by the distribution of the finer grained fraction (<63 μm) in the sediment. In contrast, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Pb concentrations were controlled by anthropogenic activities (vehicular traffic from Highway Bridge and thermal power plant). The distribution of heavy metals in sediment cores showed an upward enrichment in heavy metals with high concentration found in the uppermost may related to the increasing in human activities. The pollution indexes confirmed that the Tahaddart estuary sediment was considerably to high contaminated by heavy metals near to different anthropogenic inputs. Similarly, the potential ecological risk index and the biological risk index present 21% probability of toxicity posing potential risk to the aquatic organisms. These results provide basic information that can be used to protect and improve the quality of this ecosystem.

研究了塔哈达特河口重金属的分布，污染状况和生态风险。收集了24个表面沉积物样本和两个岩心，并分析了其中的主要（铝和铁），重金属（砷，镉，铬，铜，镍，铅和锌）和晶粒尺寸组成。重金属评估是使用不同的环境指数进行的。结果表明，Al，Fe和Zn的空间分布格局主要取决于沉积物中较细颗粒部分（<63μm）的分布。相反，As，Cd，Cr，Cu，Ni和Pb的浓度由人为活动（公路桥和火力发电厂的车辆流量）控制。沉积物核中重金属的分布表明，最上部的高浓度重金属富集向上，这可能与人类活动的增加有关。污染指数证实，Tahaddart河口沉积物在不同的人为输入附近受到重金属的严重污染。同样，潜在的生态风险指数和生物风险指数显示出21％的毒性可能性，对水生生物构成潜在风险。这些结果提供了可用于保护和改善该生态系统质量的基本信息。潜在的生态风险指数和生物风险指数显示出21％的中毒概率，会对水生生物构成潜在风险。这些结果提供了可用于保护和改善该生态系统质量的基本信息。潜在的生态风险指数和生物风险指数显示出21％的中毒概率，会对水生生物构成潜在风险。这些结果提供了可用于保护和改善该生态系统质量的基本信息。