Concentrations of Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb and Zn
have been measured, by atomic absorption spectrophotometry,
in the fine fraction (<63 μm) of surface
sediments collected in 30 sites in the Palermo Gulf
(Sicily, Italy) in order to assess the levels and the
spatial distribution of these elements. Enrichment
factors calculated with respect to clean areas have
been considered to discriminate between levels due to
background or to pollution contributions. The sampling
stations, which form a grid inside these areas,
are characterized by geographic proximity and by the
presence of pollution sources. Ratio matching technique
along with hierarchical clustering, minimum
spanning tree and principal component analysis have
been used for the statistical analysis of data, allowing
to better describe the spatial distribution of metal
levels. Our work allowed to assess the anthropogenic
contribution to the pollution of the area under
investigation through industrial and domestic wastes,
presence of an harbour area and river inflow
