Ahmed Yahyaoui | University Mohamed V, Faculté Des Sciences Rabat Agdal (original) (raw)

Papers by Ahmed Yahyaoui

Environmental Sciences Europe

Background In Morocco, fish is an important protein source especially, even not exclusively, for ... more Background In Morocco, fish is an important protein source especially, even not exclusively, for coastal communities and marketed fresh all along the coastline. One of the main targets of coastal artisanal fisheries is the European conger (Conger conger, Linnaeus 1758), a widely distributed benthic predatory species of a maximum weight of up to 50 kg. However, information on heavy metal contamination of conger is scarce. Therefore, concentrations of mercury, lead and cadmium were analysed in 108 European conger specimens from nine locations along the along the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts of Morocco to describe the spatial distribution of heavy metal contamination. Results The average heavy metal concentration in all conger samples under investigation was 246.90 ± 216.83 µg mercury/kg wet mass, 74.14 ± 87.02 µg lead/kg wet mass and 255.12 ± 287.15 µg cadmium/kg wet mass respectively. Mercury and cadmium showed a clear site-specific bioaccumulation in European conger but lead do...

E3S Web of Conferences

This article reviews the development potential of Aquaponics in Morocco, an emergent approach whi... more This article reviews the development potential of Aquaponics in Morocco, an emergent approach which integrates aquaculture with Hydroponics, whereby aquaculture effluent is used to fertilise plants in the hydroponic system. Aquaponics is the subject of an alternative solution to earth modern problems, linked to climate change, such as drought, soil degradation, food and water availabilities, negative impact of aquaculture on the environment, the use of chemicals and pharmaceuticals. This food production system has gained interest in the past five years, however, there is yet to be successful experiences or scientific publications in Morocco, although the economy of this country is based on two main sectors: agriculture and fisheries. The current paper was developed using a systematic, strategic and comprehensive literature review on peer reviewed publications on several themes, including aquaponics, aquaculture, hydroponics and horticulture, from 1960 to 2020. Over 59publications we...

The introduction of the Louisiana crayfish Procambarus clarkii can seriously impact the natural e... more The introduction of the Louisiana crayfish Procambarus clarkii can seriously impact the natural environment, biodiversity and the economy. In Morocco, this species is reported from the northwest (Gharb and Lower Loukkos) region. This perimeter is known by a large rice-growing activity which is not currently free from the influence of P. clarkii. The management of this invasive species through valorization represents a relevant solution. The SWOT analysis provided a global vision of the valueadded, revealing that the strengths and opportunities identified can compensate for the weaknesses and protect against possible threats. This represents a promising framework for the development of a value chain for Louisiana crayfish in Morocco.

Turkish Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 2021

Otoliths reading and length frequency distribution were used for age determination and growth est... more Otoliths reading and length frequency distribution were used for age determination and growth estimation of Sardinella aurita (round sardinella) stock of Southern Atlantic coast of Morocco. Both otoliths' method for age determination and Bhattacharya’s method for length frequency analysis showed five age groups. The growth performance index revealed that there is significant accordance among method of length frequency distribution and otoliths reading for stock assessment studies of Sardinella aurita stock in the south of Morocco. The microscopic observation of female gonads using histology method was investigated for the first time in our study area and confirms the presence of five principal stages of ovary of sardinella aurita: immature, maturing virgin and recovering spent, mature (or pre-spawning phase), spawning, post-spawning or spent. In addition, our results of the fecundity showed that the mean relative fecundity obtained is estimated at 193 ± 98 oocytes/g which is low...

In Morocco, the Louisiana crawfish (Procambarus clarkii) was illegally introduced in the late 90s... more In Morocco, the Louisiana crawfish (Procambarus clarkii) was illegally introduced in the late 90s / early 2000s by the willful release of young specimens into the Nador Canal in the Gharb region and in the Low Loukkos Marshes in the Larache region. This introduction has been carried out in both regions by an owner of an eel farm in the small town of Mehdia. Currently, P. clarkii is present in almost every body of water in these regions and constitutes a stock estimated at respectively 60.39 tons in the Gharb and 30.33 tons in the Low Loukkos Marshes. These populations are between 80 and 110 mm in length with an average weight of 32.12 grams in the Gharb region, and between 60 and 100 mm in size with an average weight of 14.3 grams in the Low Loukkos Marshes. The comparison with a previous study in 2015 showed no significant change in the distribution of size and weight classes of the Gharb population relative to the present 2017 study.

In both Gharb and Low Loukkos regions, no trace of pesticide was detected. Regarding the metallic... more In both Gharb and Low Loukkos regions, no trace of pesticide was detected. Regarding the metallic trace elements, the highest content of Hg (0.003 mg kg of dry weight) has been measured around the irrigation grid of Allal Tazi, and the lowest value (0.001 mg kg of dry weight) has been detected in the Low Loukkos marshes and the Nador Canal. In the Low Loukkos marshes, samples showed the highest values of Pb (1.038 mg kg of dry weight), Cd (0.066 mg kg of dry weight) and Cr (1.162 mg kg of dry weight), whereas the lowest values have been measured in the Gharb rice field (Pb: 0.872 mg kg of dry weight; Cd: 0.029 mg kg of dry weight; Cr: 1.003 mg kg of dry weight). On all samples of all sites, the heavy metals have accumulated in the same order: Cr > Pb > Cd > Hg. The results of this study match with those by El Qoraychi in 2015 in the Nador Canal of the Gharb region and in Merja Zerga. No relation has been highlighted between the metallic trace elements quantities in the sedi...

International Aquatic Research, 2020

This study was conducted in order to investigate reproductive parameters of anchovy Engraulis enc... more This study was conducted in order to investigate reproductive parameters of anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus (Linnaeus, 1758) in the central area of the Moroccan Atlantic coast, from January to December 2016. The data analysis based on a total of 1633 collected fish suggest that 850 and 783 were females and males respectively with an average male sex-ratio of 46.51% (χ2= 2.74; P > 0.05). The Gonado-somatic index (GSI) indicated that spawning activity occurred from April to November exhibiting the highest value between June and August. The size at first sexual maturity was approximately the same for both sexes and corresponds to 10.5 cm. The fecundity estimated varied from 7323 to 21230 and was positively correlated to the fish length and weight. This study was necessary to fill the knowledge gap and provide information for the management and conservation of the investigated species in this area.

European Journal of Biotechnology and Bioscience, 2015

Due over the last years, marine aquaculture has grown into a very significant industry of the wor... more Due over the last years, marine aquaculture has grown into a very significant industry of the world, However the extensive use of antibiotics and various chemical compounds, has resulted in leftover side effects such as drug residues and resistant pathogens in the treated fish. Not only do the drug residues pollute the environment, but also threaten the health of the human consumers. In a sharp contrast, garlic (Allium sativum) a natural antibiotic, has been found to have beneficial effects on the cardiovascular and immune systems of the fishes and it has shown its effectiveness in the treatment of many diseases both in humans and animals owing to its antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer, and antihypertensive properties. Garlic has a wide spectrum of actions; it is antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and antiprotozoal. Therefore in aquacultural operations, optimized doses of garlic are strongly recommended. It is one of the earliest known medicinal plants; and investigations into...

Aacl Bioflux, 2015

This study was carried out to determine some morphological characteristics and the lengthlength a... more This study was carried out to determine some morphological characteristics and the lengthlength and length-weight relationships of freshwater crayfish Procambarus clarkii (Girard, 1852). We selected two types of localities: 1. Nador canal and 2. Merja Zerga in Rharb region in Morocco. Specimens of both sexes (541 males and 407 females) were collected from March 2013 to April 2014. The study was conducted monthly. 948 specimens were analyzed for sex, weight, and length. The sex ratio (males:females) in whole material available was (1.29:1). No significant differences in the total body length of crayfish were found between the two sites (Merja Zerga and Nador canal). The results of this study evidenced that the population is in expansion, showing that Nador Canal and Merja Zerga in Rharb region in Morocco is an optimal habitat for this species. There was a significant difference between male and female body weight-length relations. Males were found to be more numerous than females.

Aacl Bioflux, 2015

The round sardinella, Sardinella aurita (Valenciennes, 1847), was sampled from ship research Al A... more The round sardinella, Sardinella aurita (Valenciennes, 1847), was sampled from ship research Al Amir Mouley Abdellah in the period between June and July 2015 (southern Atlantic sea, Morocco) in the area between Cape Boujdor and Cape Blanc. The present study is about reproduction, age and growth of the round sardinella. The sex ratio varies with length. Females are more numerous than males especially for the high size (>34.5). The estimated lengths of fish of which 50% were mature, were 25.54 and 23.73 cm for males and females respectively. Growth parameters estimated, using direct method of Von Bertalanffy, gave asymptotic length, L∞, 33.72 and 33.66 cm and curvature parameter, K, of 0.83 and 0.97 per year for females and males respectively. The comparison of growth parameters for round sardinella, from Mediterranean and Atlantic waters, indicated different growth patterns between the two areas. We determined that the growth of S. Aurita is fast, reaching the size of 19 cm in the...

Turkish Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 2021

The European anchovy, Engraulis encrasicolus (Linnaeus, 1758) is a small pelagic fish found in th... more The European anchovy, Engraulis encrasicolus (Linnaeus, 1758) is a small pelagic fish found in the eastern Atlantic, the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea. Anchovy (E. encrasicolus) are among the important finfishes harvested in Moroccan coasts. The stock structure of European anchovy in NW Africa is not truly known (FAO, 2013). To effectively manage the anchovy fisheries, it is important to understand the anchovy stock structure. Therefore, discriminant function analysis (DFA) based on morphometric characters was conducted on a total of 204 adult anchovy specimens, seasonally collected by commercial fishing vessels from the region of Mehdia in the North Atlantic area and from the region of M’diq in the Mediterranean coast during the year 2019. Body shape variation, which is often environmentally induced, may provide a good record population structuring. Our data were subjected to univariate statistics of variance (ANOVA) by using SPSS 20 software version. The morphometric charact...

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (IJCIET), 2020

In order to update the IUCN Red List of all freshwater fish species inhabiting the Maghreb region... more In order to update the IUCN Red List of all freshwater fish species inhabiting the Maghreb region, comprehensive knowledge of their respective geographic ranges is essential. Here we present site-scale distribution records derived from all known sources for native and alien freshwater fish species distributed in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. Corrected data compiled from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility plus author contributions and digitised literature data are presented as GIS maps, and the wider scientific and conservation communities are called upon to help fill knowledge gaps and maximise the value of this new database for a region in which freshwater biodiversity is undergoing a serious decline.

E3S Web of Conferences, 2018

The Grou River is one of the main rivers that feed the reservoir of the Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdella... more The Grou River is one of the main rivers that feed the reservoir of the Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah (SMBA) dam in Morocco. However, this river is particularly threatened by the pollution problem. It is in this context that this study aims to study the effect of wastewater from the rural commune of Jmaa Moulblad on the physicochemical quality of the waters of this river. We analyzed 11 physicochemical parameters (T° of area, T° of water, pH, EC, mV, Sal, TDS, BOD, COD, SS and TOC), with a monthly frequency since the month of December 2014 until November 2015. The results obtained show a worrying situation of the state of this watercourse. To remedy this problem, we recommend pre-treatment of wastewater before discharge and the implementation of a management plan and sustainable management of the Grou River watershed.

Graellsia, 2016

The genus Luciobarbus Heckel, 1843 is characterized by medium to large fish species occurring in ... more The genus Luciobarbus Heckel, 1843 is characterized by medium to large fish species occurring in large rivers and downstream zones with slow-moving waters. Remarkably also rheophilic Luciobarbus occur in Morocco, which are of small size and exhibit distinct morphological traits as well as different habitat requirements. These rheophilic species have traditionally been assigned to Luciobarbus nasus (Günther, 1874) and L. magniatlantis (Pellegrin, 1919), although some authors consider L. magniatlantis as a junior synonym of L. nasus. This lack of consensus on the taxonomy of rheophilic barbs is constrained by limited population studies that do not encompass their entire distribution range. Using molecular, morphometric, and osteological data we studied populations of rheophilic barbs of three drainage basins in which they are currently present: Tensift, Moulouya and Oum er Rbia. Our results clearly identified the rheophilic barbs of each basin as different species. The species Luciobarbus magniatlantis is a well-recognized species endemic to Tensift Basin. In contrast, the investigated populations from the Moulouya and Oum er Rbia basins could not be assigned to any previously described species. Consequently, we describe two new Luciobarbus species in the Moulouya and Oum er Rbia basins.

Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection, 2015

Organochlorine pesticides (DDT and its metabolites, HCH isomers and cyclodiènes compounds) were d... more Organochlorine pesticides (DDT and its metabolites, HCH isomers and cyclodiènes compounds) were determined in sediment collected from five locations of the moroccan atlantic coast during the period of January – December 2010. Samples were analysed according to the UNEP/FAO protocol using non polar solvent extraction and a conventional GC-ECD apparatus. The highest levels of organochlorine pesticides were found in Sebou estuary (27.53 ng/g) and Moulay Bousselham lagoon (25.58 ng/g). DDT and its metabolites presented high concentrations at all locations, the concentration of DDTs ranged from 2.40 ng/g to 25.40 ng/g. HCH isomers were also present but at low levels, the concentration of HCH ranged from 1.93 ng/g to 5.93 ng/g. Cyclodiènes compounds (Aldrin, Endrin, Dieldrin, Heptachlor and Heptachlor epoxide), banned since 1984 in Morocco, were only detected in a few sample locations at low concentrations, it implies that the exhibition to these products stopped. In five locations, the ...

Environmental Sciences Europe

Background In Morocco, fish is an important protein source especially, even not exclusively, for ... more Background In Morocco, fish is an important protein source especially, even not exclusively, for coastal communities and marketed fresh all along the coastline. One of the main targets of coastal artisanal fisheries is the European conger (Conger conger, Linnaeus 1758), a widely distributed benthic predatory species of a maximum weight of up to 50 kg. However, information on heavy metal contamination of conger is scarce. Therefore, concentrations of mercury, lead and cadmium were analysed in 108 European conger specimens from nine locations along the along the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts of Morocco to describe the spatial distribution of heavy metal contamination. Results The average heavy metal concentration in all conger samples under investigation was 246.90 ± 216.83 µg mercury/kg wet mass, 74.14 ± 87.02 µg lead/kg wet mass and 255.12 ± 287.15 µg cadmium/kg wet mass respectively. Mercury and cadmium showed a clear site-specific bioaccumulation in European conger but lead do...

E3S Web of Conferences

This article reviews the development potential of Aquaponics in Morocco, an emergent approach whi... more This article reviews the development potential of Aquaponics in Morocco, an emergent approach which integrates aquaculture with Hydroponics, whereby aquaculture effluent is used to fertilise plants in the hydroponic system. Aquaponics is the subject of an alternative solution to earth modern problems, linked to climate change, such as drought, soil degradation, food and water availabilities, negative impact of aquaculture on the environment, the use of chemicals and pharmaceuticals. This food production system has gained interest in the past five years, however, there is yet to be successful experiences or scientific publications in Morocco, although the economy of this country is based on two main sectors: agriculture and fisheries. The current paper was developed using a systematic, strategic and comprehensive literature review on peer reviewed publications on several themes, including aquaponics, aquaculture, hydroponics and horticulture, from 1960 to 2020. Over 59publications we...

The introduction of the Louisiana crayfish Procambarus clarkii can seriously impact the natural e... more The introduction of the Louisiana crayfish Procambarus clarkii can seriously impact the natural environment, biodiversity and the economy. In Morocco, this species is reported from the northwest (Gharb and Lower Loukkos) region. This perimeter is known by a large rice-growing activity which is not currently free from the influence of P. clarkii. The management of this invasive species through valorization represents a relevant solution. The SWOT analysis provided a global vision of the valueadded, revealing that the strengths and opportunities identified can compensate for the weaknesses and protect against possible threats. This represents a promising framework for the development of a value chain for Louisiana crayfish in Morocco.

Turkish Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 2021

Otoliths reading and length frequency distribution were used for age determination and growth est... more Otoliths reading and length frequency distribution were used for age determination and growth estimation of Sardinella aurita (round sardinella) stock of Southern Atlantic coast of Morocco. Both otoliths' method for age determination and Bhattacharya’s method for length frequency analysis showed five age groups. The growth performance index revealed that there is significant accordance among method of length frequency distribution and otoliths reading for stock assessment studies of Sardinella aurita stock in the south of Morocco. The microscopic observation of female gonads using histology method was investigated for the first time in our study area and confirms the presence of five principal stages of ovary of sardinella aurita: immature, maturing virgin and recovering spent, mature (or pre-spawning phase), spawning, post-spawning or spent. In addition, our results of the fecundity showed that the mean relative fecundity obtained is estimated at 193 ± 98 oocytes/g which is low...

In Morocco, the Louisiana crawfish (Procambarus clarkii) was illegally introduced in the late 90s... more In Morocco, the Louisiana crawfish (Procambarus clarkii) was illegally introduced in the late 90s / early 2000s by the willful release of young specimens into the Nador Canal in the Gharb region and in the Low Loukkos Marshes in the Larache region. This introduction has been carried out in both regions by an owner of an eel farm in the small town of Mehdia. Currently, P. clarkii is present in almost every body of water in these regions and constitutes a stock estimated at respectively 60.39 tons in the Gharb and 30.33 tons in the Low Loukkos Marshes. These populations are between 80 and 110 mm in length with an average weight of 32.12 grams in the Gharb region, and between 60 and 100 mm in size with an average weight of 14.3 grams in the Low Loukkos Marshes. The comparison with a previous study in 2015 showed no significant change in the distribution of size and weight classes of the Gharb population relative to the present 2017 study.

In both Gharb and Low Loukkos regions, no trace of pesticide was detected. Regarding the metallic... more In both Gharb and Low Loukkos regions, no trace of pesticide was detected. Regarding the metallic trace elements, the highest content of Hg (0.003 mg kg of dry weight) has been measured around the irrigation grid of Allal Tazi, and the lowest value (0.001 mg kg of dry weight) has been detected in the Low Loukkos marshes and the Nador Canal. In the Low Loukkos marshes, samples showed the highest values of Pb (1.038 mg kg of dry weight), Cd (0.066 mg kg of dry weight) and Cr (1.162 mg kg of dry weight), whereas the lowest values have been measured in the Gharb rice field (Pb: 0.872 mg kg of dry weight; Cd: 0.029 mg kg of dry weight; Cr: 1.003 mg kg of dry weight). On all samples of all sites, the heavy metals have accumulated in the same order: Cr > Pb > Cd > Hg. The results of this study match with those by El Qoraychi in 2015 in the Nador Canal of the Gharb region and in Merja Zerga. No relation has been highlighted between the metallic trace elements quantities in the sedi...

International Aquatic Research, 2020

This study was conducted in order to investigate reproductive parameters of anchovy Engraulis enc... more This study was conducted in order to investigate reproductive parameters of anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus (Linnaeus, 1758) in the central area of the Moroccan Atlantic coast, from January to December 2016. The data analysis based on a total of 1633 collected fish suggest that 850 and 783 were females and males respectively with an average male sex-ratio of 46.51% (χ2= 2.74; P > 0.05). The Gonado-somatic index (GSI) indicated that spawning activity occurred from April to November exhibiting the highest value between June and August. The size at first sexual maturity was approximately the same for both sexes and corresponds to 10.5 cm. The fecundity estimated varied from 7323 to 21230 and was positively correlated to the fish length and weight. This study was necessary to fill the knowledge gap and provide information for the management and conservation of the investigated species in this area.

European Journal of Biotechnology and Bioscience, 2015

Due over the last years, marine aquaculture has grown into a very significant industry of the wor... more Due over the last years, marine aquaculture has grown into a very significant industry of the world, However the extensive use of antibiotics and various chemical compounds, has resulted in leftover side effects such as drug residues and resistant pathogens in the treated fish. Not only do the drug residues pollute the environment, but also threaten the health of the human consumers. In a sharp contrast, garlic (Allium sativum) a natural antibiotic, has been found to have beneficial effects on the cardiovascular and immune systems of the fishes and it has shown its effectiveness in the treatment of many diseases both in humans and animals owing to its antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer, and antihypertensive properties. Garlic has a wide spectrum of actions; it is antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and antiprotozoal. Therefore in aquacultural operations, optimized doses of garlic are strongly recommended. It is one of the earliest known medicinal plants; and investigations into...

Aacl Bioflux, 2015

This study was carried out to determine some morphological characteristics and the lengthlength a... more This study was carried out to determine some morphological characteristics and the lengthlength and length-weight relationships of freshwater crayfish Procambarus clarkii (Girard, 1852). We selected two types of localities: 1. Nador canal and 2. Merja Zerga in Rharb region in Morocco. Specimens of both sexes (541 males and 407 females) were collected from March 2013 to April 2014. The study was conducted monthly. 948 specimens were analyzed for sex, weight, and length. The sex ratio (males:females) in whole material available was (1.29:1). No significant differences in the total body length of crayfish were found between the two sites (Merja Zerga and Nador canal). The results of this study evidenced that the population is in expansion, showing that Nador Canal and Merja Zerga in Rharb region in Morocco is an optimal habitat for this species. There was a significant difference between male and female body weight-length relations. Males were found to be more numerous than females.

Aacl Bioflux, 2015

The round sardinella, Sardinella aurita (Valenciennes, 1847), was sampled from ship research Al A... more The round sardinella, Sardinella aurita (Valenciennes, 1847), was sampled from ship research Al Amir Mouley Abdellah in the period between June and July 2015 (southern Atlantic sea, Morocco) in the area between Cape Boujdor and Cape Blanc. The present study is about reproduction, age and growth of the round sardinella. The sex ratio varies with length. Females are more numerous than males especially for the high size (>34.5). The estimated lengths of fish of which 50% were mature, were 25.54 and 23.73 cm for males and females respectively. Growth parameters estimated, using direct method of Von Bertalanffy, gave asymptotic length, L∞, 33.72 and 33.66 cm and curvature parameter, K, of 0.83 and 0.97 per year for females and males respectively. The comparison of growth parameters for round sardinella, from Mediterranean and Atlantic waters, indicated different growth patterns between the two areas. We determined that the growth of S. Aurita is fast, reaching the size of 19 cm in the...

Turkish Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 2021

The European anchovy, Engraulis encrasicolus (Linnaeus, 1758) is a small pelagic fish found in th... more The European anchovy, Engraulis encrasicolus (Linnaeus, 1758) is a small pelagic fish found in the eastern Atlantic, the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea. Anchovy (E. encrasicolus) are among the important finfishes harvested in Moroccan coasts. The stock structure of European anchovy in NW Africa is not truly known (FAO, 2013). To effectively manage the anchovy fisheries, it is important to understand the anchovy stock structure. Therefore, discriminant function analysis (DFA) based on morphometric characters was conducted on a total of 204 adult anchovy specimens, seasonally collected by commercial fishing vessels from the region of Mehdia in the North Atlantic area and from the region of M’diq in the Mediterranean coast during the year 2019. Body shape variation, which is often environmentally induced, may provide a good record population structuring. Our data were subjected to univariate statistics of variance (ANOVA) by using SPSS 20 software version. The morphometric charact...

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (IJCIET), 2020

In order to update the IUCN Red List of all freshwater fish species inhabiting the Maghreb region... more In order to update the IUCN Red List of all freshwater fish species inhabiting the Maghreb region, comprehensive knowledge of their respective geographic ranges is essential. Here we present site-scale distribution records derived from all known sources for native and alien freshwater fish species distributed in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. Corrected data compiled from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility plus author contributions and digitised literature data are presented as GIS maps, and the wider scientific and conservation communities are called upon to help fill knowledge gaps and maximise the value of this new database for a region in which freshwater biodiversity is undergoing a serious decline.

E3S Web of Conferences, 2018

The Grou River is one of the main rivers that feed the reservoir of the Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdella... more The Grou River is one of the main rivers that feed the reservoir of the Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah (SMBA) dam in Morocco. However, this river is particularly threatened by the pollution problem. It is in this context that this study aims to study the effect of wastewater from the rural commune of Jmaa Moulblad on the physicochemical quality of the waters of this river. We analyzed 11 physicochemical parameters (T° of area, T° of water, pH, EC, mV, Sal, TDS, BOD, COD, SS and TOC), with a monthly frequency since the month of December 2014 until November 2015. The results obtained show a worrying situation of the state of this watercourse. To remedy this problem, we recommend pre-treatment of wastewater before discharge and the implementation of a management plan and sustainable management of the Grou River watershed.

Graellsia, 2016

The genus Luciobarbus Heckel, 1843 is characterized by medium to large fish species occurring in ... more The genus Luciobarbus Heckel, 1843 is characterized by medium to large fish species occurring in large rivers and downstream zones with slow-moving waters. Remarkably also rheophilic Luciobarbus occur in Morocco, which are of small size and exhibit distinct morphological traits as well as different habitat requirements. These rheophilic species have traditionally been assigned to Luciobarbus nasus (Günther, 1874) and L. magniatlantis (Pellegrin, 1919), although some authors consider L. magniatlantis as a junior synonym of L. nasus. This lack of consensus on the taxonomy of rheophilic barbs is constrained by limited population studies that do not encompass their entire distribution range. Using molecular, morphometric, and osteological data we studied populations of rheophilic barbs of three drainage basins in which they are currently present: Tensift, Moulouya and Oum er Rbia. Our results clearly identified the rheophilic barbs of each basin as different species. The species Luciobarbus magniatlantis is a well-recognized species endemic to Tensift Basin. In contrast, the investigated populations from the Moulouya and Oum er Rbia basins could not be assigned to any previously described species. Consequently, we describe two new Luciobarbus species in the Moulouya and Oum er Rbia basins.

Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection, 2015

Organochlorine pesticides (DDT and its metabolites, HCH isomers and cyclodiènes compounds) were d... more Organochlorine pesticides (DDT and its metabolites, HCH isomers and cyclodiènes compounds) were determined in sediment collected from five locations of the moroccan atlantic coast during the period of January – December 2010. Samples were analysed according to the UNEP/FAO protocol using non polar solvent extraction and a conventional GC-ECD apparatus. The highest levels of organochlorine pesticides were found in Sebou estuary (27.53 ng/g) and Moulay Bousselham lagoon (25.58 ng/g). DDT and its metabolites presented high concentrations at all locations, the concentration of DDTs ranged from 2.40 ng/g to 25.40 ng/g. HCH isomers were also present but at low levels, the concentration of HCH ranged from 1.93 ng/g to 5.93 ng/g. Cyclodiènes compounds (Aldrin, Endrin, Dieldrin, Heptachlor and Heptachlor epoxide), banned since 1984 in Morocco, were only detected in a few sample locations at low concentrations, it implies that the exhibition to these products stopped. In five locations, the ...