1. FIRST VERTICAL EXPLORATION OF ORGANOMETALLIC CONTAMINATION OF SEDIMENT AT THE FISHING PORT OF SAFI (WEST OF MOROCCO)
- Author
-
RAFIQ, FATIMA, TECHETACH, MOHAMED, BOUNDIR, YOUNES, ACHTAK, HAFID, MANDRI, BTISSAM, BENHAMDOUN, ABDELLALI, CHERIFI, OUAFA, and DAHBI, ABDALLAH
- Subjects
Safi fishing port ,column of sediment ,metal contamination ,pollution indices ,ecological risk - Abstract
This work investigates the level of metallic trace elements (MTEs) and organic matter (OM) vertical contamination in the sediments of the Safi fishing port (Atlantic coast of Morocco). The choice of the site, never dredged since its construction and operation, constitutes a first scientific study on a national scale. Two sampling campaigns were carried out on 40 cm deep columns of sediment. The particle size profile of the sediment was studied and the organic matter and MTEs (Cd, Cu and Zn) contents were quantified. The results showed a homogeneous sediment profile over the entire depth with a dominance of medium and fine fractions. The average contents of MTEs revealed a significant state of contamination as well as a non-uniform distribution along the column. The recorded values are several times higher than the standards established by the legislation in force for the dredging operation. In addition, the eco-toxicological risk at the port, estimated through the calculation of various pollution and ecological risk indices, seems obvious. The correlations between MTEs and OM pointed out to probably similar origin for Cd and Zn, which is different from that of Cu. On the other hand, these analyses conclude that these metals are likely to bind to ligands other than OM. In addition, and according to the HCA analysis, the high organometallic concentrations recorded the sediment column could possibly be the result of four episodes of contamination emanating from human activities inherent in the activity of the entire port since its creation. The sediments of the fishing port therefore constitute a real threat to the marine environment, as various pollutants are likely to be released during a potentially future dredging operation., Moroccan Journal of Chemistry, Vol 10, No 1 (2022): in progress
- Published
- 2021
- Full Text
- View/download PDF