///Through a comprehensive analysis of the geochemical characteristics of the Quaternary sediments from 44 cores in the Pearl River delta plain in combination with grain sizes of the sediments, the authors studied the cadmium content of the Quaternary sediments in this area, which included distribution characteristics, source of high values, migration and enrichment. The result shows that: 1)the main enrichment areas are Xijiang River and Beijiang River alluvial plains, and Tanjiang River and Dongjiang River alluvial plains constitute the background area; 2) the main factors that control the cadmium content of sediments in this area seem to be the source material, sediment grain size, sedimentary environment and organic matter; 3) weathering products of Cd-rich rocks, especially the well developed lead-zinc polymetallic ore deposits in the Xijiang River and Beijiang River basin, constitute the main source of cadmium high-value zone; and 4) the cadmium high-value zone of the Quaternary sediments in the Pearl River delta plain can be divided into northwestern and southeastern districts.
