Purpose <p>Mangrove rhizosphere sediments are strong sinks for trace metals, yet conventional sampling and analytical approaches often lack the resolution to capture the fine-scale biogeochemical processes driving metal immobilisation. This review evaluates the limitations of common methodologies used to study trace metal speciation and partitioning in mangrove sediments and provides recommendations for best practices.</p> Methods <p>A systematic quantitative literature review was conducted on peer-reviewed articles published between 1991 and 2026. Searches across four databases yielded 667 articles, of which 187 met the selection criteria and were coded to evaluate global methodological trends and identify key limitations and opportunities for improvement.</p> Results <p>Most studies were conducted in Asia, followed by Brazil and Australia, with <i>Avicennia marina</i> the most frequently studied species. The most frequently reported metals were Cu, Zn, Pb, Fe, Ni, Cr, Cd, and Mn, reflecting industrial relevance and toxicity. Sequential extraction methods were applied in 45% of studies; however, anoxic sample handling, critical for preserving redox-sensitive phases, was rarely reported. High-resolution techniques such as DGT and DET were seldom used despite their capacity to resolve fine-scale biogeochemical processes.</p> Conclusion <p>Conventional sampling and analytical approaches often fail to capture the fine-scale, redox-driven processes driving trace metal sequestration and partitioning in mangrove sediments. Adoption of methods to preserve in-situ redox conditions and the application of high-resolution analytical approaches to study fine-scale biogeochemical processes will enhance our understanding of trace metal mobility and ecological risk in mangrove ecosystems.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>