Physico-chemical Analysis of the MEHDIA Estuary (GHARB –MOROCCO)
Abstract
In Morocco, superficial flows are dependent on rainfall and exhibit high spatial variability. In general, the water resources available to Morocco are limited and subject to extreme cyclical variations. Similarly, the qualitative situation of the waters is far from satisfactory. Indeed, population growth accompanied by rapid urbanization that causes many disturbances to natural environments. Industrialization, the irrational use of fertilizers and pesticides and the lack of awareness of the population towards the protection of the environment, lead as much to an imbalance of the ecosystem and generate polluting elements that can affect the physico-chemical quality biological and aquatic environments, but also alter the uses of water; water collection, swimming ... etc. The sub-basin of OuedSebou drains the Mehdia region and is particularly affected by the problem of continuous development of the agricultural sector. Indeed, the discharges of water-gardens, pesticides and fertilizers drained by rainwater and irrigation and dirt environment, in addition to the domestic discharges generated by the small town Mehdia and the city of Kenitra are dumped directly into the OuedSebou. The present research on the Mehdia region is aimed at the prospection of the hydrobiology of the waters of the Sebouwadi. The study will be based on physicochemical analysis of the mouth of Mehdia and the determination of seasonal fluctuations of these parameters between the low water period and the flood period.
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Introduction
In Morocco, superficial flows are dependent on rainfall and exhibit high spatial variability [1-2]. In general, the water resources available to Morocco are limited and subject to extreme cyclical variations [3]. Similarly, the qualitative situation of the waters is far from satisfactory [4]. Indeed, population growth accompanied by rapid urbanization that causes many disturbances to natural environments [5]. Industrialization, the irrational use of fertilizers and pesticides and the lack of awareness of the population towards the protection of the environment, lead as much to an imbalance of the ecosystem and generate polluting elements that can affect the physico-chemical quality biological and aquatic environments [6], but also alter the uses of water; water collection, swimming ... etc [7]. The sub-basin of OuedSebou drains the Mehdia region and is particularly affected by the problem of continuous development of the agricultural sector [8]. Indeed, the discharges of water-gardens, pesticides and fertilizers drained by rainwater and irrigation and dirt environment, in addition to the domestic discharges generated by the small town Mehdia and the city of Kenitra are dumped directly into the OuedSebou [9]. The present research on the Mehdia region is aimed at the prospection of the hydrobiology of the waters of the Sebouwadi. The study will be based on physicochemical analysis of the mouth of Mehdia and the determination of seasonal fluctuations of these parameters between the low water period and the flood period.
Conclusion
Adjacent agricultural activities occur in the waters of the Lower Sebou sub-basin by significant concentrations of nitrates and sulphates that enter the water stream by runoff and leaching of nitrogenous and phosphorus fertilizer and phytosanitary products [26-27]. The upstream-downstream distribution of physicochemical parameters reflects degraded situations of water quality in salts and chlorides in relationships.
The present work has revealed the poor quality of the waters of the lower Sebou but remains incomplete and needs to be deepened by analyzes of trace heavy metals and pesticides to provide the scientific and technical bases for decision makers [28-30].
