Abstract
Five fish species (Mackerel, Bream, Red mouth grouper, common Pandora and Parrotfish) and two benthic invertebrates (Shrimp and Crab) were collected from Red Sea coasts in Yanbu city in Saudi Arabia. Concentrations of 14 organochlorine pesticides (DDT and its metabolites, HCH isomers, Chlordane, Heptachlor and HCB) and seven PCB congeners (28, 52, 101, 118, 153, 138 and 180) were studied. The mean concentrations of PCBs and OCPs in marine biota were 23 ng.g(-1) lipid wt and 651.7 ng.g(-1) lipid wt, respectively. Levels of studied chemical pollutants were significantly higher in industrial area (IA) when compared with Yanbu al Bahr (YB) and the Sharam area (Sh) reflecting the effects of the industrial activities on OC concentrations in marine organisms. However, these levels were clearly lower than the maximum residue values for human consumption fixed by the international organizations (FAO/WHO/FDA). In consequence, the consumption of marine products from Red Sea in KSA is generally safe as regarded to OCs. Levels of contamination by OCs were also markedly lower in invertebrate species when compared to fish species due may be to the lower lipid contents in these benthic organisms.