To investigate the distribution, source, contamination, and ecological risk status of heavy metals in the Red Sea-Gulf of Aqaba coast, Saudi Arabia, 33 surface sediment samples were collected for Fe, Zn, Sb, Co, Cu, Hg, Pb, Mn, Cr, Ni, Cd, As, and TOC analysis using ICP-MS. Three single and three multi-element contamination indices were used to assess the sediment quality. Evaluation of the three single pollution indices suggested some contamination or anthropogenic inputs with Cu, Cd, Hg, and, to a great extent, As. The potential ecological risk indicated low ecological risk at all sites for Pb, Zn, Ni, Cu, Co, Cr, and Sb; and considerable risk for Cd, Hg, and As. Moreover, the average values of Hg and As were higher than those recorded in the sediment quality guidelines. The multivariate statistical tools revealed that Fe, Mn, Cd, Cu, Co, Zn, and Cr were mostly of terrestrial origin, derived from weathering of the nearby Pre-Cambrian basement rocks, Tertiary, and Quaternary sedimentary rocks; while As, Sb, Hg, Ni, and Pb were mostly attributed to anthropogenic activities from traffic emissions, industrial activities, and the dredging of marine sediments. The results of this work will guide the future projects of environmentally sustainable development in northwest Saudi Arabia.

为了调查沙特阿拉伯亚喀巴海岸红海海湾中重金属的分布，来源，污染和生态风险状况，共收集了33个表面沉积物样品中的铁，锌，锑，钴，铜，汞，铅，使用ICP-MS对Mn，Cr，Ni，Cd，As和TOC进行分析 使用三个单元素污染指数和三个多元素污染指数来评估沉积物质量。对这三个单一污染指数的评估表明，铜，镉，汞和很大程度上是砷的某些污染或人为输入。潜在的生态风险表明所有地点的铅，锌，镍，铜，钴，铬和锑的生态风险均较低；以及镉，汞和砷的巨大风险。此外，汞和砷的平均值高于沉积物质量指南中记录的平均值。多元统计工具显示，Fe，Mn，Cd，Cu，Co，Zn，Cr和Cr大部分为陆源，来自附近的寒武纪前基底岩，第三纪和第四纪沉积岩的风化。砷，锑，汞，镍和铅主要归因于交通排放，工业活动和疏sediment海洋沉积物等人为活动。这项工作的结果将指导沙特阿拉伯西北部未来的环境可持续发展项目。