JERUSALEM, Dec. 12 (Xinhuanet) -- Most Israel's coastal streams are moderately to severely polluted by toxic metals in many marinas, a study on the quality of coastal water in 2003 said Sunday.

    The study, prepared by Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research Ltd. and commissioned by the ministries of environment andinfrastructure, noted no decrease in pollution levels over the pastdecade.

    Testing of the water in coastal streams revealed high levels of carcinogenic toxic metals, such as mercury, cadmium and nickel, from industrial waste.

    Sewage pipes and environmental issues were also emitting pollutants at the Rishon Letzion beach, near Tel Aviv.

    Fish checked for mercury levels at various points along the coast were found fit for human consumption according to the Israelistandard.

    The researchers noted, however, that the Israeli standard for mercury is double the amount permissible elsewhere.

    They recommended equalizing permissible levels with those found elsewhere and determining the same standards maintained in other countries for additional pollutants.

    The study also found that agricultural fertilizer pollution in streams was considerably higher than in other places in the world.

    Much higher than permissible levels of the toxic chemical TBT, an additive to boat paint, was found in the Herzliya, Tel Aviv and Haifa marinas -- 450 nanograms per liter as opposed to the permissible 2 nanograms per liter. TBT has been found to cause the growth of male genitalia in female animals.

    Rani Amir, head of the sea and coast department of the environment ministry, said Israel is preparing a plan to treat stream pollution in estuaries, as well as stream channels, as required by the Barcelona Convention for the protection of the Mediterranean, to which Israel is a signatory.

    The environment ministry hopes the plan will result in significant drops in marine and stream pollution within 10 years. Enditem