| Issue |
E3S Web Conf.
Volume 726, 2026
The Second International Congress on Environment, Energy, and Materials for Sustainable Development Technology (IC2EM-SDT’26)
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Article Number | 01018 | |
| Number of page(s) | 7 | |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202672601018 | |
| Published online | 13 July 2026 | |
Seasonal Trace-Metal Contamination in the Coastal Waters of Al Hoceima Bay (Mediterranean, Morocco)
1 Laboratory of Research and Development in Applied Geosciences, Faculty of Science and Techniques of Al Hoceima, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Tetouan, Morocco
2 Marchica Observatory, Nador, Department of Sustainable Development, Morocco
3 National Center for Energy, Sciences and Nuclear Techniques (CNESTEN), Rabat, Morocco
* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Abstract
Mediterranean coastal waters are highly exposed to dissolved trace metals from urban, port and riverine inputs. This study analyses the seasonal variability of six dissolved metals (Pb, Cd, Ni, As, Cr, Zn) in Al Hoceima Bay (Morocco) based on four sampling campaigns (2022–2023). Data were processed in Python, and non-parametric tests (Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney) were used to assess seasonal differences. Concentrations were compared with USEPA chronic saltwater criteria and the European AA-EQS standards. Arsenic and nickel showed recurrent exceedances during summer and autumn, while only nickel exceeded the EU AA-EQS when evaluated on an annual basis. Lead and cadmium remained below the quantification limit. These results highlight seasonally-driven contamination and the need for enhanced monitoring during high-risk periods, together with complementary analyses in sediments and biota.
Key words: trace metals / Mediterranean Sea / coastal pollution / environmental standards / seasonal variability
© The Authors, published by EDP Sciences, 2026
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