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Abstract The quality of aquatic ecosystem is of great interest to the entire world. Introduction of different waste products into estuaries and seas especially that in industrial and population centers has led to a significant increase in the contamination levels by different pollutants (Tessier and Campbell, 1988).Estuaries and coastal areas have industrial activities because of the ease of transport. Moreover, the sea offers a convenient place for the disposal of waste substances (UNEP/IOC/IAEA, 1988), where at least 40% of all marine contaminants come from land-based sources (GESAMP, 1987). Growth in industries, increase in agricultural and many other human activities caused by increasing human population have resulted in rapid increase in inputs of large numbers of man-made chemicals into the environment. Among these anthropogenic pollutants, major concern has been directed to persistent organic pollutants (POPs), due to their persistence, high bioaccumulation potential and harmful biological effects to wildlife and human (Jones and Devoogt, 1999).Since Alexander the Great founded Alexandria in year 332 B.C, it has witnessed great gross and prosperity. By connecting the island of Pharos with Alexandria main land by a causeway called the Heptastadium, about 1,200 m long. Two parts of Alexandria shores waters become almost separated from the sea by heptastadium forming two harbours, an Eastern Harbour and a Western one. The Eastern harbour (EH) was the commercial harbour until the early fifties of the past century. Since then the Western harbour(WH) became the main commercial seaport. The city of Alexandria, with its industrial activities and high population density of about 3.7 million, has a heavy impact on Mediterranean littoral by the direct discharge of unprocessed sewage and industrial waste composed of many different pollutants. Among these activities, the EH is one of the embayment which has ecological, economic and touristy importance on the southeastern Mediterranean coast. It is eutrophic semi-closed bay exposed to sewage disposal of the central part of Alexandria city, which is pumped into the Mediterranean Sea. |