Abstract
In this study, sea water samples were collected from the Red Sea coastal seawaters along Jeddah transect at seven zones (outside Sharm Obhor, Al-Noras, Al-Arbaeen Lake, Al-Shabab Lake, outside Al-Shabab Lake, Jeddah port and Al-Khumra) during autumn 2011. Concentrations of the heavy metals Cadmium (Cd) - Lead (Pb) - Iron (Fe) - Copper (Cu)- Zinc (Zn) were measured in the suspended particulate matter (SPM) at these zones. Al-Khumra zone attained significantly the highest heavy metal concentrations in (SPM), followed by Jeddah port zone. In Sea water at Al-Noras zone registered the highest concentration of Zn 5.59 (mg/kg dry weight), after Al-Khumra and Jeddah port 59.14, 25.01 (mg/kg dry weight) respectively, while Jeddah port and Al-Khumra seawaters gave the highest Cu concentrations 9.87, 29.43(mg/kg dry weight) respectively. The highest concentration of Iron (Fe) was remarkably recorded at Al-Khumra zone coastal seawater giving an average of 1968.52(mg/kg dry weight), also Zn concentration at Al-Khumra reached comparatively high value up to 59.14 (mg/kg dry weight), The other zones, Inside Al-Shabab and Al-Arbaeen zones have coastal seawaters with comparatively low heavy metal concentrations at its coastal seawaters. In general Al-Khumra area attained the highest heavy metal concentrations in the coastal sea water of the Red Sea.