Sediment cores from the central Algerian coast were collected to investigate the distribution, sources and risk of trace metals. The local geochemical background of metals was defined from the core S collected in an uncontaminated area of the coast. The anthropogenic inputs in Algiers Bay elevated Ag, Cd, Pb and Zn concentrations as their maximum were 3.1, 3, 2.1 and 1.8 times the background values, respectively. Meanwhile, increased contents of Arsenic (up to 21.1 mg/kg) were detected in all sites. Correlations and PCA suggest that lithogenic sources controlled metal deposition, while most sediment arsenic was agriculture-derived. Organic matter acted as a sink or source for some trace metals. According to EFs, the study area showed slight to moderate enrichment with respect to Ag, As, Pb, Cd, Zn and Cu, whereas they remained uncontaminated with Cr, V, Co and Ni. This study provides a needed baseline for future environmental investigations.