Human impact along the Italian coasts has caused alterations to the quality of the sea water which receives various polluting substances. The aim of the present work was to perform a check of the physical and chemical parameters of sea water and to determine the presence and distribution of substances, chosen as indicators of chemical pollution, in an area affected by sewage of various origin. In February and July 1997 two cruises were carried out along a part of the Calabrian coast where industrial activity is linked to olive processing. Results showed normal oscillations in physical parameters, whereas the high concentration of Total Phenols, obtained during the first survey, indicates possible contamination caused by waste waters from the production of olive oil.