Abstract: Egyptian coastal seawater of Mediterranean Sea receives great amount of discharged waters. In this study, fluoride contents in seawater, sediment, and bottom fauna were monitored. Its contents in seawater in 2000, 2001 and 2006 were approximately twice of that recorded during 1996. Fluoride concentrations in sediments showed a decrease pattern during 1996 to 2006. In contrast, its concentrations in algal and fish species gave an increase. This study showed that the fluoride contents in the fish muscle were lower than the permissible limit in USA. Interestingly, average fluoride contents in crustacean species decreased during 2001 to 2006, respectively. Its contents in both gastropod and bivalve shells are relatively similar. Accordingly, there is a great change in the recorded fluoride concentrations in seawater, sediment and marine species during the period of investigation.
 

Key words: Fluoride monitoring; coastal seawater; sediment; marine organisms; Mediterranean Sea; Egypt; during 1996 to 2006