Spatial Distribution and Contamination Level Assessment of Marine Sediment of the Safi Bay (Moroccan Atlantic Coast)
Abdenaim Minoubi,
Nezha Mejjad,
Khalid El Khalidi,
Mohammed Bouchkara,
Ahmed Fadili,
Mohamed Chaibi,
Bendahhou Zourarah
Affiliations
Abdenaim Minoubi
Laboratory LIRBEM, Department of Life and Earth Sciences, Higher Normal School, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech 40000, Morocco
Nezha Mejjad
National Center for Energy, Sciences and Nuclear Techniques, Rabat 10000, Morocco
Khalid El Khalidi
Associated Unit URAC 45, Marine Geosciences and Sol Sciences Laboratory, Department of Geology, Faculty of Sciences, Chouaib Doukkali University, El Jadida 24000, Morocco
Mohammed Bouchkara
Associated Unit URAC 45, Marine Geosciences and Sol Sciences Laboratory, Department of Geology, Faculty of Sciences, Chouaib Doukkali University, El Jadida 24000, Morocco
Physical Geography Laboratory, Department of Natural Sciences and Geography, Polydisciplinary Faculty, Cadi Ayyad University, Safi 46000, Morocco
Bendahhou Zourarah
Associated Unit URAC 45, Marine Geosciences and Sol Sciences Laboratory, Department of Geology, Faculty of Sciences, Chouaib Doukkali University, El Jadida 24000, Morocco
This study assesses the spatial distribution and contamination level of heavy metals in Safi Bay surface sediments. In this order, 28 surface sediment samples were retrieved from the study area and analyzed using the x-fluorescence method. To assess the contamination of the examined sediment, we used geo-ecological indices such as contamination factor (CF), degree of contamination (DC), geo accumulation index, and pollution load index (PLI). The results show that only Pb and Cd present moderate and considerable contamination in some sampling sites, while other elements (Cr, Cu, Zn, and Ni) indicate no contamination and low contamination by these elements. The inhomogeneous distribution of metal concentrations along the bay suggests different heavy metal sources. Given the ecological and socioeconomic importance of the study area, there is a need for a further analysis of both sediments and biological samples for a better understanding of the contamination levels and origin of metals, in addition to the sustainability of Safi Bay.
