Spatial Distribution and Contamination Level Assessment of Marine Sediment of the Safi Bay (Moroccan Atlantic Coast)

Abstract

This study assesses the spatial distribution and contamination level of heavy metals in Safi Bay surface sediments. In this order, 28 surface sediment samples were retrieved from the study area and analyzed using the x-fluorescence method. To assess the contamination of the examined sediment, we used geo-ecological indices such as contamination factor (CF), degree of contamination (DC), geo accumulation index, and pollution load index (PLI). The results show that only Pb and Cd present moderate and considerable contamination in some sampling sites, while other elements (Cr, Cu, Zn, and Ni) indicate no contamination and low contamination by these elements. The inhomogeneous distribution of metal concentrations along the bay suggests different heavy metal sources. Given the ecological and socioeconomic importance of the study area, there is a need for a further analysis of both sediments and biological samples for a better understanding of the contamination levels and origin of metals, in addition to the sustainability of Safi Bay.