Abstract
The present investigation aimed to assess metal pollution status (Fe, Al, Cu, Zn, Mn, Cd and Pb) in sediments of four cities along the northeastern coast of Libya. The mean metal concentrations in sediment samples from highest to lowest showed the following order Al > Fe > Mn > Zn > Cu > Pb > Cd. All metal concentrations were lower than their background values except for Cd at sites 1, 2 and 3. Sediment quality guidelines showed that biological hazardous effects are related to 25% of Cd samples while other studied metals are biologically safe. The overall evaluation indicates moderate to severe pollution status with Cd along sites 1 and 3 while other metals showed marginal or safe limits. Metal pollution status along the coastline of major cities proved indisputably to be due to anthropogenic activities. The geoaccumulation index (I-geo) showed efficient indication of individual metals while the potential ecological risk index (RI) could clearly discriminate the risks posed by metal mixtures.