Abstract: A comparative analysis on the content and distribution of heavy metals in surface sediments of Dongding temporary marine dumping area and its adjacent sea area was conducted in 2005, 2010, 2013 and 2015, and the pollution status and the potential ecological risk of heavy metals in Dongding temporary marine dumping area were studied using Hakanson potential ecological risk index method.The results showed that the concentrations of heavy metals in the surface sediments were relatively low and in accord with the first class of the marine sediment quality of National Standards.The concentrations spatial distribution of Cd and Cu is uneven, but the spatial distribution of Pb, Zn, Hg and As varied slightly.The accumulating degree of As, Pb and Zn appeared high among all these heavy metal in surface sediments, and that of Cu, Hg and Cd lower.The overall level of potential ecological risk of heavy metals in the sediments was light;the levels of potential ecological risk of heavy metals were followed from high to low by As > Pb > Hg > Cd > Cu > Zn, As, Pb and Hg were the key factor of the potential ecological risk in surface sediments.