This study was performed to source apportionment and health risk assessment of potentially toxic elements (As, Cd, Ni, and V) in sediments of the Southern Caspian Sea, Iran. In so doing, a total of 36 sediment samples were collected from 12 sites in Khazar Abad, Caspian Sea, and the contents of analyzed elements were determined using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICPOES). Source apportionment and health risks of elements were assessed based on a statistical method for source identification and model provided by the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Based on the Results obtained, total mean values of modified pollution index (MPI), modified ecological risk (MRI), and contamination severity index (CSI) ranged from 2.78 to 10.6, 77.9 to 197, and 0.790 to 1.96, respectively, showing ‘moderately to severely’ pollution, ‘moderate to considerable’ ecological risks, and ‘very low severity’ to ‘low to moderate severity’ levels. The average hazard index (HI) values of PTEs for the residents/tourists all were within the safe limit. Also, the carcinogenic risk of As and Ni for children and adults was at the acceptable level. Based on the matrix factorization receptor model (PMF) model, natural sources, fossil fuel combustion/leakage, and agricultural activities were the major sources of sediment contamination. In conclusion, a precise investigation related to the source-oriented ecological-health risks caused by sediment contamination is recommended for future studies.
