Abstract: Concentrations of heavy metals in the riparian sediments of Zhuzhou section of Xiangjiang River were analyzed using ICP-MS machine, so as to give an evaluation of the heavy metal contamination of the river.The results showed that the content of Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb in the sediments varied greatly and the distribution was uneven, and these elements had a varied concentration in sediments, and the concentration degree of heavy metals was apparently deepening from the upper segment to the lower part of the river in the city area.The potential ecological risk assessment shows that the average of the ecological risk coefficient (Eir) of Pb in sediments reaches 183.40, posing a harsh ecological risk.The ecological risk of heavy metal in order of severity is Pb> Cu> Ni> Zn> Co> Mn> Cr> V > Ba.The results of cluster analysis show that the9 heavy metal elements can be divided into 3 categories:Zn, Pb, Cu, Co, and Ni are mainly from human sources;Ba, V, and Cr, mainly from natural sources;Mn, from both natural and human sources.