Contamination Evaluation of Heavy Metals in a Sediment Core from the Al-Salam Lagoon, Jeddah Coast, Saudi Arabia

The Al-Salam Lagoon is one of the recreational sites along Jeddah coast, showing environmental impacts urbanization coast. A sediment core (220 cm) was collected from intertidal zone to evaluate heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Pb) geochemical indices (contamination factor, geo-accumulation index, pollution load index). In organ-ic-rich muddy sediments (0–100 cm), there a high content index ~3, indicting anthropogenic with Cu contamination (CF:12) moderate Fe, Pb (CF: <3). organic matter washed through surface run-off land deposited as urban waste. Down core, consistent concentration, CF, Igeo trends indicate common pollutant source variations over time. section (70–40 matter, metal Igeo, PLI value (≥5) suggest an uncontrolled load. decreased stable indicators toward measures taken control Below 110 cm, carbonate-rich have low metals, unpolluted depositional environment. negative implies geogenic indicates no inferred (~1.0) CF PLI.