Heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd) were studied in Lake Poyang's tributaries. Water quality met fisheries standards, but sediment had high metal levels, especially in Rao River and Xin River estuaries. Pollution order was Pb>Cd>Zn>Cu in water and Cu>Zn>Pb>Cd in sediment. Cu, Zn, Cd showed similar pollution patterns in sediment. Ecological risk was high for Cd and medium for Cu, Zn, Pb. Benthic organisms were at risk in polluted estuaries.