The distribution and enrichment of trace metals in sediments of the South China Sea along the entire coast of Vietnam were described. The concentrations of Cr, Ni, Zn, and Pb in the sediments showed a significant positive correlation with fine-sized fractions and TOC. In contrast, the concentration of As was not positively correlated with particle size and other metals. The relatively positive correlations of Cd with Fe, Al, Ti, Sc, TOC, P, Cr, Ni, Zn, and Pb indicated that it comes from different sources. Ecotoxicological indexes of all elements showed low values, except for Cd in the southwestern part of the South China Sea area, which is likely related to the influx of suspended matter from the Mekong River.
2021. V. 173, Part A. Art. no. 113045

Trace metals in Laptev and East Siberian Sea sediments were analyzed to examine the element distribution pattern and to assess sediment contamination using contamination indices. The maximum Cr, Zn, Ni, Cu, and As concentrations occurred in the deeper parts of the East Siberian and Laptev Seas and the estuarine shelves of the Lena and Yana Rivers, and a high Cd content was observed in the sediment of the eastern part of the East Siberian Sea. The increased Cd concentration could be a result of the large number of phytoplankton supplied by the highly productive waters of the Bering Sea and the sorption capacity of Cd precipitation on Fe and Mn oxyhydroxides in seawater. The mean enrichment factors and geoaccumulation index values for Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd showed no contamination by these metals at any sampling locations; however, slight As enrichment was found, possibly originating from natural sources.
2021. V. 173, Part A. Art. no. 112997