a b s t r a c tA total of 220 surface sediments and eight sediment cores were analyzed to study the distribution and transport of Hg in Chinese marginal seas. Spatial distribution showed a general offshore decreasing trend towards the outer continental shelf. Vertical profiles of sediment cores displayed a general increasing trend from bottom to surface layers. Coastal land-based discharges and river-derived inputs are probably the main sources of Hg in coastal sediments of China seas, while TOC, pH, ocean currents and sediment characteristics could play important roles in the transport and spatial distribution of Hg in sediment. The influence of TOC on Hg concentration is more significant than that of pH. The mud deposits on the coastal shelves are main sinks of Hg in the region. The results showed that sedimentary Hg was affected by regional anthropogenic activities and riverine runoffs, and was also influenced by long-range atmospheric transport and ocean current circulations.