Concentrations of metals, organic carbon (OC), total nitrogen (N), total phosphorus(P) and forms of phosphorus as well as activities of ²¹⁰Pb and particle size were determined on two cores from northern Taihu Lake, China. The sediments are dominated by silts and clayey silts, which become finer upward. Results of ²¹⁰Pb analysis indicate strong disturbance and erosion at the sampling sites. Concentrations of metals are:Cu, 15.8-35.6 mg/kg;Zn, 61.0-136.4 mg/kg;Ni, 26.6-46.2 mg/kg;Li, 36.7-69.0 mg/kg;V, 88.3-142.0 mg/kg;Ti, 3929.2-5508.9 mg/kg; Mn, 840.9-2369.8 mg/kg;Fe, 2.88-6.24 %;Al, 5.17-10.13 %. Levels of Cu, Zn, Ni, Li, V, Fe and Al show significant positive relationships with the fraction of clay and their down-core variations are therefore caused mainly by particle size. When compared to the mean contents of shale, these metals show no significant anthropogenic pollution. The ratio of OC to N (C/N) range from 9 to 20, suggesting a dominance of detrital input of organic matter. The dominant pool of phosphorus is the detrital form. In both cores, organic phosphorus increases toward the surface layer, implying either higher organic phosphorus input in recent years or its better preservation.