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Data comprising of 30 variables obtained from 15 sediment samples of Visakhapatnam shelf have been subjected to R-mode factor analyses so as to interpret the geological provenance of the sediment and the sources of pollution. About 71.5% of variance has been accounted for three factors which include (i) sedimentation factor including fine grained alumino-silicates, clays, hydrous Fe and Mn oxides and organic matter, (ii) pollution factor including discharge of domestic sewage and industrial effluents, loading/unloading of Zn-Pb ore concentrates in harbour and occurrence of heavy and sulphide minerals, and (iii) biogenic factor including carbonate phase occurring with shell debris.