RESUMO
The benthic flora and fauna were estimated in the western sector of Abu Qir Bay [Egypt] which is subjected to the influx of sewage effluents and industrial wastes-Also considerable amounts of drain water are constantly discharged along the southern margin of the bay from lake Edku. Quantitative hauls were performed at the different habitats during autumn [November] and winter [February]. The dredged area per each station was 30 m per haul. Results illustrated that the distribution of benthos in the estimated area is greatly affected by the degree of pollution as well as k prevailing hydrological conditions. The green algae Caulerpa prolifera and Codium elongatum appeared as the most common species in the pollution. The algae hauled at the offshores were less frequent but included members. of chlorophytes. phaeophytes and rhodophytes as well as the phanerogame zostera nana. The algal community was on general more abundant on autumn than in winter. the bottom animals appeared more sensitive to pollution than the algal jiora. Thus, their lowest counts were recorded at the inshore stations and the fauna was mainly represented by the molluscs Mactra glauca, tellina radiata and Neverita Josephinia. The area of the lake sea connection was generally poor in benthos due to the wide fluctuation f the water chlorosity. The offshores harboured more diversified fauna including polychaetes, molluscs and crustaceans