Quantification of micropollutants in the western Mediterranean Sea

The Mediterranean coastline is under considerable continental and marine pressures bringing organic and inorganic pollutants that subsequently disturb the balance of the Mediterranean ecosystem. This is the framework of the present study whose objective is to contribute through a quantitative analysis, to the evaluation of the contamination of an area of the western Mediterranean of Morocco by hydrocarbons in the particulate phase of water, sediment and bivalve organism and some metallic trace elements in the sediment. The results of the hydrocarbons emphasize the high levels of contamination as well as the analysis of metallic trace elements in the sediment reveals the presence of toxic metals in relation to the type of discharges received and the activity practiced. The high levels of chemical pollutants obtained are favored by high temperatures and high levels of organic matter. This work is dedicated to students and teachers in environmental sciences and to those responsible for the protection of the marine environment.