Trace metals in urbanized coasts: The central Atlantic of Morocco as a case study

This study describes the contamination, accumulation, and ecological risk assessment of five trace metals (Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, and Cr) in sediments of an urbanized beach in the central Atlantic coastline of Morocco. The two-year investigation (2018 and 2019) included six sampling sites along a 6 km coas...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Marine pollution bulletin 2023-01, Vol.186, p.114455, Article 114455
Main Authors: Ben-Haddad, Mohamed, Abelouah, Mohamed Rida, Lamine, Imane, Hajji, Sara, Noureddine, Slimani, Rangel-Buitrago, Nelson, Ait Alla, Aicha
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anthropogenic
Cadmium
case studies
Coast
coasts
Contamination
Ecosystem
ecosystems
environmental assessment
Environmental Monitoring
Geologic Sediments
marine debris
marine pollution
Metals, Heavy - analysis
Morocco
Pollution
risk
Risk Assessment
Sediment
sediments
sewage
Trace Elements - analysis
Trace metals
traffic
urbanization
Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis
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Summary:This study describes the contamination, accumulation, and ecological risk assessment of five trace metals (Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, and Cr) in sediments of an urbanized beach in the central Atlantic coastline of Morocco. The two-year investigation (2018 and 2019) included six sampling sites along a 6 km coastal reach. In both years, none of the studied trace metals exceeded the background or the sediment quality guidelines (SQGs). The eco-toxicological indices revealed low degree of contamination, unpolluted ecosystem, and low ecological risk of metals. However, Cd exceeded the background value and some SQGs following the increase of anthropogenic activities in 2019. Likewise, it indicated unpolluted to moderately polluted sediment as well as moderate ecological risk. Overall, it is highly recommended to mitigate the avoidable anthropogenic activities (marine litter generation, sewage discharge, intense urbanization, and vehicle traffic on the beach) that lead to the elevation of metal pollution in the study area. •Study of trace metals carried out in surface sediment along an urbanized coast in Morocco•Globally, indices revealed low degree of contamination and no metal pollution in sediments.•Cd recorded moderate levels of both contamination and ecological risk in the second year.•Trace metals levels increased following the intensification of anthropogenic activities.•Sewage discharge, marine litter, and vehicles traffic are potential sources of metals.
ISSN:0025-326X
1879-3363
DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114455