Abstract: In order to study the characteristics of the distribution and sources of hydrocarbons in organic matter in the surface sediments of the intertidal zone in Maowei sea, Guangxi. Six samples of surface sediments which were collected from the intertidal zone of the Maowei sea in October 2019 were analyzed in terms of the contents of the n-alkanes and PAHs. The results show that the content of n-alkanes (dw) in the surface sediments of intertidal zone of Maowei sea is 1835.6×10⁻⁹～5661.6×10⁻⁹, and the content of PAHs (dw) is 39.45×10⁻⁹ ～138.12×10⁻⁹. Generally, the contents of n-alkanes and PAHs in the surface sediments of intertidal zone of Maowei sea is low. The parameter ratio analysis shows that the n-alkanes mainly come from terrestrial herbaceous plants、woody plants and floating plants, whereas PAHs are characterized by high level of macromolecular compounds. The results of component analysis suggest they mainly come from the combustion of coal, grass, tree, and so on. The assessment report of the ecological risk about PAHs using the ERL/ERM shows that the overall risk of PAHs is in a low level.