Abstract: To investigate the pollution status and derving mechanisms of heavy metals in surface sediments of Lingdingyang, Pearl River Estuary, 22 surface sediment samples were collected in summer 2018 within the area. The spatial distribution, ecological risks, and influencing factors of seven heavy metal elements (Hg, Cd, Pb, Cr, As, Zn, and Cu) were analyzed, and the main sources and contribution rates of these heavy metals were quantitatively apportioned. The results showed that the concentrations ranges of Hg, Cd, Pb, Cr, As, Zn and Cu were 0.019～0.192, 0.028～0.969, 9.600～85.100, 11.000～134.000, 6.330～34.700, 32.700～206.000, and 7.500～172.000 mg/kg, with mean values of 0.080, 0.278, 37.241, 31.368, 15.679, 95.155, and 43.455 mg/kg, respectively. The spatial distributions of these heavy metals were similar, with higher concentrations in nearshore area and lower conentrations in offshore area. And the metal values in the western region were higher than those in the eastern region, which may be associated with the anthropogenic polluttion, such as industrial and agricultural activities, and domestic sewage discharges in coastal area. Geological accumulation index indicated that the study area exhibited mild to moderate pollution levels. Based on the comprehensive potential ecological risk index, the overall risk level was low except for Cd of moderate risk. The Pearson correlation analysis and principal component analysis revealed that Hg, Cr, Zn, Cu originated from the same or similar pollution sources. Quantitative identification of the main sources and their contributions using the positive matrix factorization (PMF) model showed that industrial sources contributed the most, followed by agricultural and natural sources, while transportation sources contributed the least. The findings of this study can provide scientific support for integrated land-sea pollution prevention and control in the Pearl River Estuary.