Abstract: The concentrations of eight heavy metals in sediment in Arctic and subarctic areas of the Bering Sea, the Chukchi Sea, and the Canada Basin were determined using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. Then, the geochemical and spatial distributions, as well as the correlations, of the eight elements were studied. The results showed that the Zn, Bi, Pb, Cu, Ni, Co, and Cr concentrations were strongly correlated, which indicated they had similar sources and spatial distribution characteristics. The concentrations of the above seven elements in sediments in the Bering Sea and the Chukchi Sea were lower than those in the Canada Basin. However, the spatial distribution of Cd obviously differed from that of the other seven elements. Finally, the Hakanson Potential Ecological Risk Index and the Nemerow Comprehensive Pollution Index were used to evaluate the potential ecological risk of the eight metals. The results showed that the Hakanson Index of the Arctic area reached 43.1, which indicated that this area has a slight risk of ecological damage. Co posed the greatest ecological risk. The results of both methods showed the same distribution trend of the ecological risk of the heavy metals. The Bering Sea had the lowest ecological risk, while most of the Chukchi Sea was relatively risk-free and the Canada Basin had the highest ecological risk. The degree of heavy metal pollution showed a gradually decreasing trend from high to low latitudes, and the degree of pollution of the Western Hemisphere was greater than that of the Eastern Hemisphere.

Key words: Bering Sea, Chukchi Sea, Canada Basin, Heavy metals, Spatial distribution, Potential ecological risk