Research trajectories in Moroccan coastal environmental science: Bibliometric insights from scopus and web of science

Abstract

This study presents the first comprehensive bibliometric assessment of scientific research addressing heavy metal pollution in Moroccan coastal environments over the period 1980–2024. A dataset of 2,031 publications was extracted from Scopus and Web of Science and analyzed using the Bibliometrix package in R. The results reveal a steady and pronounced increase in scientific output, with publication volumes rising sharply after 2000 and reaching their highest levels between 2020 and 2022. Research efforts are strongly concentrated on ecologically vulnerable systems, including the Nador and Marchica lagoons, Oualidia, and the Bay of Dakhla, where the most frequently investigated metals are Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu, and Hg. Collaboration network analysis highlights the central role of Moroccan institutions, while also revealing a partial dependency on Euro-Mediterranean scientific partnerships. Despite this sustained research dynamic, several critical gaps persist, including limited interdisciplinary integration, the absence of nationwide synthesis studies, and comparatively low global visibility. Overall, this bibliometric investigation provides a strategic evidence base to guide future research agendas, reinforce international collaboration, and support science-based decision-making for the sustainable management of Moroccan coastal ecosystems.