Forty-four surface sediments from Doam Bay were analyzed for total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), total metal (Al, Fe, Mn, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn) and further chemical partitioning of metals were carried out in some samples. The TOC (0.32~3.10%) and TN (0.03~0.26%) values of the samples were similar to those of other coastal area. The C/N ratios ranged from 7.9 to 11.9 with an average 9.3 which revealed that contribution of terrestrial organic matters was relatively rare. Contents of analysed metals showed a level lower than threshold effects level (TEL) in sediment quality guidelines. Based on the chemical speciation of metals, the lattice fractions were found in the order Cr > Cu > Ni > Zn > Pb > Mn, while Mn and Pb are the ratio of the non-lattice fractions accounted for more than 50%. The average baseline values were obtained relative cumulative frequency curves and linear regression analysis. The respective baseline concentrations for Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, Cr and Mn were 11.8, 23.1, 26.8, 76.6, 56.7, 585 mg/kg, respectively. Based on geoaccumulation index (I geo ) with a baseline values of Mn showed that face the contamination phase from estuarine stations. However, in case of Zn and Pb, although there is no sign of contamination, it could be release from sediment when there is a change in the environment, which is caused from the high ratio of non-lattice fractions.
