The Moroccan Mediterranean Coastline: A Potential Threatened by the Urban Discharges

Abstract

The Mediterranean coastline of Morocco is an exceptional and ecologically fragile marine area. It is characterized by a large diversity of living aquatic resources, and subjected to pollution, originated by industrial activities, domestic discharges, coastal touristic installations, etc., drown through drainage channels, emissaries, rivers, etc. The impact of this pollution on the hydraulic network and consequently on the coast, is harmful and may involve water quality degradation. The pollutant discharges to the Mediterranean coast is very high. The effluents generated by Tangier sea port and iseveral rivers such as Mghogha, Souani, Lihoud, F'nideq, and Martil can be considered as important pollution sources based on its anoxic and reductive potential, the low dissolved oxygen contents and high oxydable matter rates.