The levels of trace metals (Ni, Co, Cu, Fe, Zn, Cd and Pb) were determined in ten macroalgal species (green algae: Enter omorpha compressa and Cladophora albida; brown algae:, Sargassum dentifolium, Cystoseira yrica, Padina pavonia; red algae: Acanthophora najadiforrnis, Laurencia papillosa, Ceramium tenuissima, Polysiphonia figariana, Hypnea cornuta) collected from six sites along Bitter lakes (Suez Canal, Egypt). The relative abundance of trace metals in algal species decreased m the order (Fe> Zn> Ni> Cu> Pb> Co> Cd). The highest concentration of Co ( 1.17 jig/g dry wt.) and Pb ( 8.00 ug/g dry wt.) were found in brown algae C. myrica, while Cd ( 1.00 ug/g ) and Cu ( 16.92 ug/g dry wt) were "recorded in P. pavonia and S. dentifolium^ respectively. In red algae, the highest value of Ni (9.28 ug/g dry wt.), Zn (36.50 ug/g dry wt.) and Fe (502.20 ug/g dry wt.) were observed in A. najadiformis, P. figariana^and H. cornuta, respectively. According to the local variation of metals in the investigated area, the highest values of most metals (Ni, Cu, Fe, Zn and Pb) were recorded in front of Fayed (site III) which is the biggest village in the bitter Lakes area and receives agricultural and domestaic drains in addition to the effluent from the vessels crossing the Suez Canal. Inter - elemental relationships were studied and showed positive significant correlation (p < 0.05) between Ni - Fe (r = 0.63), Ni - Zn (r = 0.47), Co - Fe (r = 0.52), Zn - Cd (r = 0.41) and between Zn-Pb(r = 0.49).
The present study recommended that the pollution sources at Fayed, which considered as fishing and recreational marine area, must be controlled. As well as, some algal species can be used as a good target for monitoring metals pollution in Bitter Lakes.