Objectives: The geochemical characteristics of organic- rich shales in Wufeng and Longmaxi Formations of Yuelingping profile in Chengkou County, northern margin of Sichuan Basin have been studied, which purpose is to further understand the watermass conditions and the main factors controlling organic matter enrichment during the sedimentary period of this shale successions. Methods: The Al—Co×Mn and Co×Mn—Cd/Mo are proxies which based on Mn, Co, Cd and Mo elements can effectively distinguish the two kinds of marine end- member depositional environments that promote organic carbon burial: continental margin open/upwelling environment and restricted marginal basin environment. These methods are mainly used in this paper. Conclusions:The results indicate that the enrichment of Mn and Co in the Wufeng Formation is low, and the enrichment of Mo increased significantly from bottom to top. Longmaxi Formation has an overall loss of Mn, low Co enrichment, and significantly reduced Mo enrichment from bottom to top. Using the Al—Co×Mn method, it is found that the restriction environment of the Yueliangping profile mainly occurs in the early stage of Wufeng Formation, the late stage of Longmaxi Formation and the vicinity of Guanyinqiao Member of Wufeng Formation, while the watermass of the middle—late stage of Wufeng Formation and the early—middle stage of Longmaxi Formation are mainly in the open/upwelling environment. The values of Co(mg/kg)×Mn(%) in profile are all less than the average shale value of 1. 615; the Cd/Mo ratios of Wufeng Formation are larger than the normal sea water value of 0. 006, all less than the average shale value of 0. 308, and those of Longmaxi Formation are generally less than the normal sea water value. The use of the Co×Mn—Cd/Mo joint chart shows that the organic matter enrichment of Wufeng Formation and Longmaxi Formation in the Yueliangping profile is mainly controlled by the preservation conditions, which is consistent with the correlation analysis between U/Th, V/Cr, P/Ti, Ba/Al and TOC. The discriminant proxies based on the metal elements Mn, Co, Cd and Mo have a good effect on judging the sedimentary environment and main controlling factors of organic matter enrichment in organic rich shale from the Paleozoic continental margin.