Contamination trends of trace metals and coupling with algal productivity in sediment cores in Pearl River Delta, South China.

Highlights: [•] Sediment cores were collected from reservoir sediments of the Pearl River Delta. [•] Cu, Zn, Ag, Cd, and As were significantly accumulated during last three decades. [•] Heavy metals were strongly associated with algal organic matter in the sediments. [•] Principal component analysis was used to assess the enrichment of heavy metals. [•] Sedimentary process of heavy metals was affected by primary productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]