Nador Lagoon: Vulnerable Ecosystem

ISBN-13: 9786209583506 / Angielski / Miękka / 2026 / 140 str.

Zahra ZERROUQI

Opis

The Nador lagoon, a vital ecosystem in eastern Morocco, is under increasing anthropic pressure. This study assesses the operation of the Nador and Béni Ensar wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), and their impact on the lagoon.The results reveal mediocre performance: the Nador WWTP is inadequately purified (BOD5, COD, TSS above standards), while the Béni Ensar WWTP is often out of service. The leaching of stored sludge generates leachates rich in nutrients and heavy metals, threatening groundwater and lagoons. In addition, the assessment of lagoon pollution identifies critical areas: nitrogen concentrations near the discharge of the Nador WWTP, and phosphorus near Béni Ensar. Sediments show heavy metal contamination (Pb, Cu, Zn, Cd).The study recommends the urgent rehabilitation of the WWTPs, the systematic reclamation of sludge, and the reinforcement of environmental monitoring to preserve this vulnerable ecosystem.