Eleven cores were collected from the Cauvery basin. Radiometric dates were used to determine modern sediment accumulation rates. Sediment accumulation rates ranged from 0.4 to 4 mm yr-. Heavy metal concentration decreases with the increase of depth. The heavy metal concentrations at certain depths are attributed to the irregular input of metals and their remobilization. Heavy metal accumulations have been computed using sediment accumulation rates, and accumulation rates show an additional anthropogenic input of metals and sediments in the recent past. Factor analysis and correlation analysis show the diverse source and accumulation mechanism influencing the metal distribution in the basin.