Abstract: In order to explore the historical variation and potential ecological risk of heavy metal pollution of lake Shengjin in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, a sediment core was drilled and analyzed from the sediments. Based on AMS14C dating results, the historical distribution characteristics and main sources of heavy metal pollution in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River during the past millennium were analyzed by using the enrichment coefficient and potential ecological risk index method combined. the results show that the mean contents of As, Mn, Pb, Cu, Zn, Cr, V and Ni are 19.2, 623.7, 28.6, 42.4, 115.7, 83.7, 153.1 and 46.5 mg/kg respectively. The comprehensive potential ecological risk (RI) of heavy metals in the sediments of Lake Shengjin gradually increased over time. The potential ecological risk of element As before 1600 A.D.is a slight ecological hazard, after 1900 A.D.,which rises to medium ecological hazard, and the elements Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn, V and Cr are all slight ecological hazards. The order of potential ecological risk of elements is As > Cu > Ni > V > Pb > Cr > Mn > Zn, As and Cu are the main contributing factors. before 1600 A.D., the element As was slightly enriched and the anthropogenic pollution was small. After 1600 A.D., which was moderately enriched and the proportion of anthropogenic sources increased significantly. Before 1600 A.D., the element Cu fluctuated, and after 1600 A.D., the stable variation range was moderately enriched. The remaining heavy metals Mn, Pb, Ni, Cr, Zn, V enrichment degree is small, after 1900 A.D., there is a certain degree of anthropogenic sources. The results of multivariate statistical analysis showed that the heavy metals before 1600 A.D.,were mainly deposited in the natural state, 1600-1900 A.D.,were the combined effects of human activities and natural deposition, and human activities after 1900 A.D.,were the main sources of heavy metal pollution. Among them, industrial pollutant emissions, mining and agricultural activities are the main influencing factors of heavy metal pollution sources. Based on the above findings, the possible ecological risks of Lake Shengjin basin in the future were analyzed, which provided a useful reference for the ecological environment protection and sustainable development of the lake basin in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River.