Salt lakes have a signi cant effect on the regional climate, environment, and ecology in semi-arid regions characterized by lower rainfall and high evaporation. However, under the stresses of global change and human disturbance, anthropogenic pollution is the main factor threatening the lake ecological environment. Surface sediment samples collected from four salt lakes in the Ordos Plateau were used to investigate the salinity, concentration, pollution status, potential sources of heavy metals, and in uencing factors. The surface sediments of Beida Pond and Gouchi Pond were weakly alkaline (pH < 9) owing to Na 2 SO 4 , whereas those of Chaigannaoer and Hongjiannao were strongly alkaline (pH > 9) owing to Na 2 CO 3 . The concentration range of Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb in the sediment samples collected from the salt lake in the Ordos followed the order of Cr > Zn > Ni > Pb > Cu > As > Cd. The Cr values were higher in Chagannaoer and Hongjiannao, but the Ni, Cu, and Zn values were higher in Beida Pond and Gouchi Pond. The geoaccumulation index (I geo ) and enrichment factor (EF) consistently indicated that Cr posed the greatest potential ecological risk and that Ni, Cu, and Zn pollution was more severe in Beida Pond and Gouchi Pond than in Chagannaoer or Hongjiannao. However, Er and RI indicated these heavy metals were a low risk to the environment. Risk assessment code (RAC) revealed that Pb and Cr exhibited no mobility and had low potential bioavailability risk, although Zn, Ni, and As were categorized as medium risk. Cu had the highest mobility and high risk. Principal component analysis for Beida Pond and Gouchi Pond revealed that the source of Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb might be associated with water -soluble elements in aqueous migration, and the source of Cr, Pb, and As might be lithospheric minerals carried by dust storms. Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Cr, and Pb in Chagannaoer and Hongjiannao may be derived from surface runoff, and chemicals from these sources may eventually accumulate in sediments. Pearson's correlation analysis indicated that pH was the main environmental factor controlling the distribution of heavy metals in Chagannaoer and Hongjiannao.