The concentration and distribution characteristics of six heavy metals(Mn, Zn, Pb, Cu, Cr, Ni)were analyzed in 384 surface sedi-ments samples from Xiang Jiang River(Zhuzhou-Xiangtan-Changsha Reach, hereinafter referred to as Chang-Zhu-Tan Reach). Heavy metal pollution in the sediments from those areas were analyzed and evaluated by using geo-accumulation index method and potential ecological risk index method. The results indicated that the concentrations of heavy metals in the sediments from Chang-Zhu-Tan Reach which had dif-ferent variati...