Characterization of Benthic Macrofauna and Water Microbiology in the Ourika Region

Abstract

The current study was carried out at the level of the Ourika valley which is located 35 km from Marrakech and which is one of the most famous tourist sites in Morocco, in order to monitor the pollution status of the area and its impact on public health.Sampling was carried out seasonally at seven areas of the basin for the biological study (substrate samples) and at four areas for the microbiological study (water samples). The choice of areas is linked to accessibility and socio-economic activities near each area.The region is characterized by a fairly significant taxonomic richness (28 taxa identified, grouped into 6 major Orders: Ephemeroptera, Diptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera, Coleoptera and Odonata), with less diversification in 2017 with the disappearance of five families (Hydrophylidae, Chaoboridae, Psychodidae, Ephydridae and Ephemerellidae), which could be due to the poor water quality recorded in certain areas according to the Normalized Global Biological Index, Biotic Index of New Caledonia and BioSedimentary Index.Regarding the bacteriological quality of groundwater intended for domestic consumption, the latter was found to contaminate with various faecal germs, with rates exceeding the standards with a maximum of 25x103 CFU / 100 mL for coliforms, 700 CFU / 100 mL for streptococci and 14 * 103 CFU / 20 mL for clostridiums.Following its results, good monitoring and management of resources is more than necessary to preserve biodiversity and the health of the local population.