Sources of Bathing Water Pollution in the West Coast of Tangier, Morocco: Effects of Industrial Zones

• Main Authors: El Khalil Cherif, Farida Salmoun, Nordine Nouayti
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2019-07-01
• Series: Proceedings
• Subjects: bathing waters; Boukhalef River; physical–chemical; heavy metal analysis
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2504-3900/16/1/30

This study was carried out in the Boukhalef River which reaches the western coastal waters of Tangier, Morocco, loaded with wastewaters from two industrial zones: Tangier Free Zone and Gzenaya Zone. To understand the extensive impact of these industrial zones on Jbila and Sidikacem beaches located near the Boukhalef River mouth, water and sediment samples of the Boukhalef River were examined in terms of physical–chemical and heavy metal parameters, respectively. The results showed high values of conductivity (Cond), biochemical oxygen demand in five days (BOD5), and chemical oxygen demand (COD), which are the causes for the very bad quality status of the Boukhalef River waters. The application of principal component analysis on the heavy metal results of Boukhalef waters and sediments showed that samples were characterized by a load of heavy metals, seemingly of the same anthropogenic origin. This analytical survey demonstrated a relationship between the bathing water quality and industrial discharge. Indeed, industrial zones represent a strong source of pollution in the west coast of Tangier, Morocco.