In this study, total and available contents of seven typical heavy metals (Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd and Pb) were determined in mangrove wetland sediments in Dongzhai Harbor, and the distribution characteristics and bioavailability of these heavy metals in sediment were analyzed. The results showed that all the metals contents in this area were higher than in mangrove wetlands in Yalong Bay and Sanya Bay, but lower than the average level in mangrove wetlands in South China and other areas in the world, which was at a moderate to low level. The contents of heavy metals in surface layer of sediment significantly differed among barren shoal, the edge and inside of forest. All the metals were obviously accompanyingly deposited in the columnar sediments, which indicated a strong homogeneous source. The available contents of seven heavy metals in the surface sediments were extracted by EDTA, which had the order of CuCrZnNiAsPbCd. All the maximum ratios of available to total content of elements appeared in surface or -middle to upper layers, except Ni. There was significant positive correlation between available and total contents of target metals.
