Abstract: Based on the data collected from 1992 to 2013 in Shenzhen bay, the content, source, relationship, pollution degree and potential ecological risk of seven heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Hg and Zn) were analyzed.The temporal and spatial distribution of heavy metals in Shenzhen bay were different.During the period of 1992~2013, the contents of heavy metals especially in the inner bay areas increased initially and then decreased, and the contents were much higher in 2000~2009.In addition, the contents of Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Hg and Zn decreased from the inner bay to the open sea.The enrichment factors of Cu, Pb, Zn and As were higher than other heavy metals, and Cu, Pb, Zn and As were mainly contributed from human activities.The correlation of Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn was significant, indicating similar pollution sources and migration processes.Pb, Zn and Cu were within the slightly polluted degree, while As, Cd, Cr and Hg were belong to the non-polluted degree.The potential ecological risk of heavy metals in the sediment of Shenzhen bay was also very low, with the highest potentially ecological risk of Hg and followed by As and Cd.