Evaluation of risks associated with PAHs, pesticides, and heavy metals in the red sea at Jazan harbors and nearby marine regions including halophile analysis

The current study assess the degree of pollution in two harbors (Madaia and Saha) located in the southwestern Red Sea, Saudi Arabia with potential impacts on the intervening control coastline. This study deals with the integration between polluted and non-polluted areas. The general physicochemical study, PAHs determination, Pesticide residue evaluation, the most important heavy metals analysis and halophiles investigation are accomplished. 1) According to PAHs determination, 1-methyl-Naphthalene was predominant at Madaia Harbor, 2-methyl-Naphthalene at Saha Harbor, and Acenaphthene at the control coastline. 2) According to pesticide residue evaluation, twenty-one pesticide residues were analyzed, with terbufos, methyl parathion, and malathion detected at the highest concentrations across all sites. 3) According to heavy metal analysis, As, Hg and Pb record the highest concentration at Control coastline. 4) According to halophiles investigation, slight to moderate levels of halophilic bacteria were observed at both harbors, while halophilic yeasts were present at all study sites. Correlation and simple linear regression analyses indicated that pollution at the control coastline was negatively influenced by discharges from both harbors, with Saha Harbor being the primary source, although Madaia Harbor also had significant impacts.