[Contamination of the Moulay Bouselham Lagoon, Morocco with organochlorine pesticides and nitrates].
In the lagoon system of Moulay Bouselham, on the Atlantic coast of Morocco, drainage bring nutriments and sediments from irrigation systems to the open lagoon. The recent intensification of farming in the surrounding area is the chief cause of this. We studied the chemical pollution of the lagoon, which serves as a nature reserve, by analyzing the nitrate content of the water and the organochlorine pesticide content of the sediment. Comparison with similar ecosystems showed that the sediments were only moderately contaminated. However, the level of nitrates in the water was found to exceed the upper limit of the range of concentrations considered safe for human health in European regulations. The level of nitrate pollution in the area seems to be increasing, whereas organochloride pesticide pollution is on the decrease. The washing out of fertilizer during winter is responsible for much of the nitrate pollution in this season whereas in summer, urban effluents is the chief cause of nitrate contamination.
Mehdaoui
O
O
Institut Santé et Développement, 12, rue école-de-Médecine, 75006 Paris, France.
Venant
A
A
Fekhaoui
M
M
D016573:Agrochemicals / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D007306:Insecticides / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D008452:Maximum Allowable Concentration; D009018:Morocco; D009566:Nitrates / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D011634:Public Health; D012307:Risk Factors; D012621:Seasons; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*
D016573:Agrochemicals; D007306:Insecticides; D009566:Nitrates; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical