Environmental assessment of toxic heavy metals in bottom sediments of the Sharm Obhur, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The concentrations, spatial distributions, pollution level, and health risks of heavy metals in sediments of the Sharm Obhur, Northern Jeddah, Saudi Arabia were evaluated. Average concentrations were found to be: Cr > Zn > Ni > Cu > As>Pb with the highest concentrations found near the head of the sharm, and decreasing towards the mouth. Environmental indices, together with the statistical analyses, showed that the sharm experiences a low to moderate degree of pollution.