Temporal Analysis of Groundwater Quality in Al Hoceima, Morocco: A Comparative Study of a Well Over Two Periods

This study assesses the groundwater quality of the Ghiis Nekkour aquifer in northern Morocco, focusing on a specific well in the Al Hoceima region. This water source is vital for the local population. The research compares the groundwater quality during two distinct periods and characterizes its physicochemical and bacteriological properties. The study reveals that physicochemical analysis shows moderate water quality, with electrical conductivity values ranging from 2441 μS/cm to 2456 μS/cm, and turbidity levels below 0.61 NTU. Chemical analysis indicates calcium concentrations ranging from 181 mg/l to 195 mg/l, magnesium concentrations from 136 mg/l to 143 mg/l, ammonium concentrations of 0.05 mg/l, chloride concentrations from 453 mg/l to 478 mg/l, and nitrate concentrations of 40 mg/l. Bicarbonate concentrations vary from 789 mg/l to 856 mg/l. However, bacteriological analysis shows water contamination by coliform bacteria, intestinal enterococci, and Escherichia coli. The study emphasizes the urgent need to take measures to remedy this contamination and ensure the safety of the water source for the region’s inhabitants

Application of the water quality index (IQEs) to assess the quality of groudwater in the Ghiss-Nekkour aquifer, Al-Hoceima, Northern Morocco

The determination of water quality with simple, accurate and easily understood expressions by managers and decision-makers has become a crucial situation in the environmental context, in order to help stakeholders make appropriate decisions. The aim of this study is to assess the quality of groundwater in the Ghiss-Nekkour aquifer, located in northeastern Morocco, using the Water Quality Index (WQI). The method is based on the analysis of 11 different physico-chemical parameters (pH, EC, Ca2+, Na+, Mg2+, K+, HCO3-, SO2-4, Cl-, NO3-, NO-2) of this groundwater. By applying this WQI, the water was classified into four categories (Water: good quality, poor, very poor, unsuitable for consumption). The study showed that the water from most wells is unsuitable for domestic consumption and requires treatment

Characterization of sludge from the Fez wastewater treatment plant

The Fès wastewater treatment plant is of the activated sludge type. It has been in service since 2014, and receives 155,400 cubic meters per day of domestic wastewater from numerous urban and rural communities: Fès, Ras El Ma, Oulad Tayeb and Ain Chkef. On the one hand, this WWTP generates clean, purified water which is discharged into the receiving environment without any harm to the environment, and on the other, it produces huge quantities of residual sludge, i.e. 5,100 t/year. The aim of this study is to characterize the sludge from the Fez wastewater treatment plant, following sludge treatability tests by monitoring the various analytical parameters. To be able to choose the right technique for the type of sludge to be treated. In our case, for sludge from the Fez wastewater treatment plant, physico-chemical characteristics were carried out for COD, BOD5, TSS, total nitrogen and phosphorus, showing the sludge’s richness in nutrients. The characterization of the sludge from the Fez wastewater treatment plant showed the potential of this product to be valorized

Exploring salinity origins in the Ghiss-Nekor aquifer, northern Morocco: A multivariate statistical analysis

The Ghiss-Nekor coastal aquifer is characterized by high salinity stemming from multiple sources, remains poorly investigated. This study aims to address this knowledge gap by employing both univariate (descriptive statistics) and multivariate statistical analyses, including correlation matrix and principal component analysis (PCA). Groundwater samples were collected from 52 sites across the study area and meticulously analyzed for pH, TDS, EC, and the ions such as Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, NH4+, HCO3-, NO3-, NO2-,Cl-, SO42-, PO43-, and SiO2. Descriptive statistics, notably standard deviation (SD), highlight the diverse sources contributing to salinization, among which seawater intrusion (SWI) emerges as a significant factor. Correlation matrix analysis underscores multiple pathways for salinization, implicating SWI, salt dissolution, chemical weathering, secondary salt leaching, and anthropogenic activities. PCA elucidates 81.05% of the total variance in physicochemical parameters, with strong loadings observed for EC, Na+, Cl-, and Mg2+, corroborating the influence of SWI and suggesting evaporation processes. Moreover, PCA reinforces the potential influence of both geogenic and anthropogenic factors in salinization within the study area. This comprehensive investigation provides valuable insights into the elevated salinity levels observed in the Ghiss-Nekor aquifer, contributing to a deeper understanding of its hydrogeochemical dynamics

Assessment of Trace Metal Contamination in Bivalve, Mytilus galloprovincialis, By Bioconcentration Factor (BCF) in the Moroccan Mediterranean Coast Environment

This study investigates the pollution of Morocco’s Mediterranean coastal zones by trace metals, highlighting its significance due to detrimental impacts on marine ecosystems and potential health risks through the food chain, exacerbated by the expansion of coastal areas in recent years. It focuses on measuring concentrations of trace metals such as copper, cadmium, lead, and chromium in the bivalve Mytilus galloprovincialis and surrounding seawater across three sites along the northern Moroccan Mediterranean coast. This research aims to evaluate metal bioaccumulation levels using the Biota Concentration Factor (BCF). Seawater samples were examined using both flame and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry, while bivalve tissue samples underwent analysis through Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry. Findings indicate that M. galloprovincialis significantly accumulates trace metals, with concentrations in descending order: Pb, Zn, Cr, Cu, and Cd. Conversely, the seawater metal concentration sequence was Zn, Cu, Cr, Cd, and Pb. The study applied BCF thresholds from Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH) and the US EPA’s Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), categorizing metals as “bioaccumulative” (BCF between 1000 and 5000) and “very bioaccumulative” (BCF over 5000). This distribution provides insights into the toxicity and bioaccumulation of metals, underscoring the environmental and health implications for the marine ecosystem and species like M. galloprovincialis

Valorizing Olive Oil Mill Wastewater: Transforming Waste into Natural Soaps

In this research, the main objective is to find a solution to the problem of olive mill wastewater (OMWW). This solution involves the recovery of liquid waste produced by the crushing units, which contain a significant amount of oily residues despite their initial treatment. The concept is based on separating these discharges into aqueous and oil phases and using the latter to manufacture natural soaps. The liquid waste from the extraction of olive oil has a significant content of oily residues, characterized by a very high acidity (2.73%), exceeding the value of edible olive oil, as well as a high saponification index (186.2 mg KOH/g), making it an ideal source of fat for saponification. The results of the valorization of the OMWW in soap manufacturing reveal several significant elements. First, following the characterization of cold and hot products, a clear preference emerges in favor of soaps made using the cold process. In addition, the production yield is notable, with a rate of 94% for cold saponification and 89.9% for hot saponification, highlighting the efficiency of the process. Finally, the study highlights the importance of the quantities of fatty acids used in the formulation of soaps. An optimal formula is identified, comprising 40% oils recovered from the OMWW, 30% olive oil, 20% cocoa oil, and 10% castor oil, demonstrating the need for a precise balance to obtain quality soaps. This study solves the problem of the OMWW by reusing them to make natural soaps, thus reducing industrial waste. It also opens up new economic opportunities by creating a profitable and environmentally responsible production chain, promoting the transition to a circular economy

Initial Discovery of Microplastic Presence in the Gastrointestinal Tract of Certain Fish Species in Al-Hoceima Bay

The accumulation of plastic waste in ocean environments is a critical ecological issue impacting marine wildlife and human health. This study assesses the presence of microplastics in the gastrointestinal tracts of fish from Al-Hoceima Bay, a key part of the Mediterranean marine ecosystem. Using Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, we analyzed 90 individuals from two different species, finding that 33% of the examined fish contained microplastics. Specific occurrences were 26% in mackerel and 40% in gilthead sea bream. These findings highlight significant contamination even in commercial fishing areas, raising urgent questions about the long-term ecological effects and health risks. Therefore, the need for effective plastic waste management policies is critical to protect our marine ecosystems and food safety

Assessing the Efficacy of Commercial Activated Carbon Adsorption in Removing Emerging Contaminants from Wastewater

Powdered activated carbon was used in different studies for evaluation in micropollutants removal. In this study, powdered activated carbon was tested to evaluate its removal efficiency for about 46 micropollutants. A total of 33 compounds were found in raw wastewater. The PAC was found to be efficient towards total suspended solids elimination. Powdered activated carbon reached high removal percentage for heavy metals (90%), while the majority of the other compounds it varied between 60 and 80%. The impact of advanced treatments combination with conventional treatments could lead to high removals

Mapping the spatiotemporal evolution of seawater intrusion in the Moroccan coastal aquifer of Ghiss-Nekor using GIS-based modeling

The impact of seawater intrusion on coastal aquifers is a major concern in managing groundwater resources. The unconfined coastal aquifer of Ghiss-Nekor, located in a semi-arid area, is particularly vulnerable to seawater intrusion (SWI) because of excessive groundwater pumping and climate change impacts. Therefore, the main goal of the present work is to track the spatiotemporal evolution of SWI in the Ghiss-Nekor aquifer by analyzing data from the years 2015 and 2022 using appropriate geochemical approaches. Accordingly, a range of geochemical techniques were employed, including the Piper diagram, Chadha's diagram, Gibbs diagram, Stiff diagram, major ions variation maps, Hydrochemical Facies Evolution Diagrams (HFE-D), and seawater fraction (fsea). As a result, Gibbs diagram clearly indicates the contribution of seawater to the salinization of the Ghiss-Nekor aquifer. Further information is provided by the Piper, Chadha, and Stiff diagrams, which reveal that 29%–38% of the wells studied display Na–Cl water type, a characteristic feature of seawater facies. Additionally, statistical analysis shows a significant increase in salinity levels between 2015 and 2022. Furthermore, the spatiotemporal analysis using the differential mapping technique (DMT) confirmed the increase of salinity, particularly near the shoreline. Additionally, the HFE-D showed that the region impacted by SWI increased from 14% to 20% between 2015 and 2022, and the maximum fsea value rose from 14.84% to 25.77% over the same time frame. Our findings reinforce the assumption that SWI is worsening over time in the Ghiss-Nekor aquifer. In summary, the techniques used in this study were effective in tracking the spatiotemporal evolution of SWI in the aquifer and in quantifying it. The results of this study can inform the development of effective strategies for managing SWI in coastal aquifers

Investigating Microplastics in the Mediterranean Coastal Areas – Case Study of Al-Hoceima Bay, Morocco

The issue of microplastics pollution is gaining increasing attention as a global environmental concern. These tiny particles, measuring no more than 5mm in size and coming in various shapes, can affect all types of marine ecosystems as they are easily consumed by a wide range of marine species. Al-Hoceima Bay, with its semi-enclosed nature and heavily affected anthropized coastline, was chosen as the study area for this research. The main objective was to investigate the presence of various microplastic types in Al-Hoceima Bay by implementing a sampling strategy along the coastline. This comprehensive approach was applied on a local scale within the bay (located in the northwest Mediterranean). Three stations were established in the bay, each located at different levels: the supralittoral, medilittoral and interlittoral. Microplastics were collected from these locations and classified into four categories based on their abundance. Digital microscopy was used to count the plastic particles and they were identified by Fourier transform-attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). Results showed a higher presence of microplastics in water at 114 particles/L compared to sediment at 70 particles/L. The classification of samples revealed fibers as the most prevalent form, followed by fragments and films being the least commonly found. The abundance of fibers was found to be higher in water 90%, while in sediment it was 31%, however, fragments and leaves were found in higher concentrations in sediment. Polypropylene and polyethylene were identified as the major polymers used in the microplastics analyzed