1. The present environmental scenario of the Nador Lagoon (Morocco).
- Author
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Ruiz F, Abad M, Olías M, Galán E, González I, Aguilá E, Hamoumi N, Pulido I, and Cantano M
- Subjects
- Abattoirs, Animals, Arsenic analysis, Geologic Sediments analysis, Industrial Waste, Metals, Heavy analysis, Mining, Morocco, Nitrites analysis, Particle Size, Phosphates analysis, Population Density, Quaternary Ammonium Compounds analysis, Seawater analysis, Sewage, Sulfates analysis, Crustacea, Environmental Monitoring methods, Water Pollutants, Chemical analysis
- Abstract
In this paper, we present a multivariate approach (waters, sediments, microfauna) concerning the environmental state of the Nador Lagoon (NE Morocco). The normal water quality parameters (salinity, pH, nutrients) of the dominant marine flows are altered by local fecal water effluents, urban discharges, sewages derived from a water treatment station, and residues originated in a slaughterhouse. The geochemical analyses carried out in surficial sediment samples show very high concentrations of all metals studied near an old iron mine and moderate contents between Nador and its treatment station. Ostracods are good bioindicators of these environmental impacts, with the presence of a highly brackish assemblage in the quieter, more confined areas or the appearance of opportunistic species under hypoxic conditions. In addition, these microcrustaceans are absent in polluted bottom sediments or areas with high hydrodynamic gradients, whereas they decrease in both density and diversity if the subaerial exposure increases.
- Published
- 2006
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