该研究中，在三峡库区沉积物的八种重金属Cr，Ni，Cu，Zn，As，Cd，Pb和Hg的测定结果显示，Cd的平均浓度明显高于四川省土壤背景值。四种重金属污染评价结果分别是：地积累指数评价方法计算结果表明Cd处于“轻微到重度污染”等级；潜在生态风险评价方法计算结果表明Cd和Hg处于“危险到极大潜在风险”等级；生物有效性评价结果显示超过80%含量的Cd和Hg存在于可交换态中，即沉积物中最不稳定的一种化学存在形式；用酸可挥发性硫化物，同步浸提金属的测定值进行评价，其结果显示，如不考虑沉积物种的有机碳含量，评估结果中危害程度将会超过实际情况。另外，该研究中，三峡库区沉积物重金属质量评价基准的建立，为今后进一步评价三峡地区沉积物中重金属污染情况提供了理论依据。

Our investigation of heavy metals, such as Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Pb and Hg in sediments in Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) area, observes that the mean concentrations of Cd in sediments of TGR were obviously higher than those in background values. The assessment by Geo-accumulation Index indicates that Cd rank in the “moderately to heavily contaminated” level. And the potential ecological risk assessment result shows that Cd and Hg exhibited dangerous and considerable potential ecological risk. Concerning the chemical bioavailability, more than 80% of Cd and Hg in the sediments was in the most labile fractions, which are weakly bound with the sediment. Sediments with [SEM]–[AVS] > 0 might have no biological toxicity based on ([SEM]–[AVS])/foc, [SEM]–[AVS] overestimated the heavy metal toxicity in the TGR. In addition, the Sediment Quality Guidelines established in this study provide a scientific basis for further evaluation of heavy metals toxicity in the TGR.