[Objective] This study was conducted to explore the spatial distribution of carbon and nitrogen in the sediments of Xiangxi River, which was the biggest tribu- tary near the Three Gorges Dam. [Method] Sediment samples were collected using customized cylindrical samplers at three sites along Xiangxi River estuary in May, 2015 to measure the contents of total carbon, total nitrogen and an isotope of car- bon δ^13C. [Result] The total carbon content in the sediments varied from 1.74% to 3.52%, and the total nitrogen content varied from 0.1% to 0.3%. The average total carbon content in the sediments near the estuary was lower than in the upstream. The total carbon content in the sediments near the estuary gradually decreased with depth increasing. However, the variations in total nitrogen content in both horizontal direction （along the river from the estuary to the upstream） and vertical direction were not so obvious as in total carbon content. The isotopic analysis showed the δ^13C value increased with depth increasing. The overall δ^13C near the estuary was lower than that in the upstream. [Conclusioal The results will provide scientific refer- ences for the distribution of biogenic elements in sediments of Xiangxi River and the evolution process of aquatic ecosystem.
