Abstract: The possible correlation between TOC and COD in the eight channels of Pearl River Estuary (Yamen, Hutiaomen, Jitimen, Modaomen, Hengmen, Hongqimen, Jiaomen and Humen) was analyzed based on data obtained from the survey in May, 2012.Results indicated that contents of TOC ranged from 1.15 mg/L to 2.30 mg/L and averaged 1.53 mg/L, while contents of COD changed between 1.19 mg/L and 2.99 mg/L and averaged 1.84 mg/L, respectively.The highest average contents of both TOC and COD were simultaneously observed in Yamen.TOC correlated well to COD in Glucose solution in our investigation, with linear regression equation cTOC=0.677cCOD+0.278 (=0.956).Composition of organic contaminants, content of suspended solid matter and mineral reductive matter all might have effect on the correlation between TOC and COD.Sea water quality standard of TOC was build based on our study to introduce a new way for marine environment quality assessment and environmental management.