High-resolution sedimentary records of heavy metals in Guangzhou section of the Pearl River, South China

The sedimentary feature and variation of heavy metals in ca. 100 years, especially in the last three decades, in the riverbed of Guangzhou section of the Pearl River were revealed by the sedimentary heavy metal fluxes and total organic carbon (TOC) in a 210Pb-dated sedimentary core. It is suggested that the historical changes of heavy metal contamination can be recorded by pollutant sedimentary fluxes rather than by their concentrations. The heavy metal contamination in the river section was divided into 6 sedimentary historical stages of 3 groups, which correspond to the economic development and regional urbanization process.