Assessment of heavy metal and organic pollution of a salmonid ecosystem: Case of the Oued Guigou River, Middle Atlas (Morocco)

Abstract

The present study focused on evaluating the quality of the Oued Guigou River located in Middle Atlas (Morocco) by studying relevant physicochemical and metallic parameters. Samples for determining the organic matter and trace metal elements trapped in water samples were collected at upstream of Oued Guigou between December 2020 and April 2021. The samples were analysed for physicochemical quality, while the trace metal elements (lead, zinc, copper, chromium, iron, nickel, calcium and magnesium) were determined using ICP‐AES analysis. The results indicated significant organic pollution, as well as standard deviation and average changes in the values of the studied metals, most likely attributable to domestic effluents. The metal content in particular exhibited high values exceeding the recommended Moroccan standard limits, suggesting domestic and agricultural pollution is a potential threat to both the receiving rivers and their associated lakes and reservoirs.