Characteristics and spatial distribution of marine litter on the Moroccan Mediterranean coasts: Insights from Al Hoceima region in the central southern Alboran Sea

Soufiane Hasni ¹, Bilal Mghili ², Mohamed Keznine ²

⁰Biology Department, Faculty of Sciences and Technology of Tangier, Abdelmalek Essâadi University, Morocco.

Marine Pollution Bulletin +

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March 23, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Marine litter, especially plastics, significantly pollutes the Moroccan Mediterranean seabed. Key drivers include river mouths and shallow zones, with hotspots exceeding 2500 items/km², necessitating urgent waste management strategies.

Area Of Science

Marine Biology
Environmental Science
Oceanography

Background

Marine litter, particularly plastic waste, is a critical environmental issue in the Mediterranean Sea.
Submerged marine waste studies in the Moroccan Mediterranean, especially on the seabed, are limited.
Anthropogenic pressures like population growth and tourism exacerbate marine pollution.

Purpose Of The Study

To investigate the spatial distribution of marine litter in the Al Hoceima region, Moroccan Mediterranean.
To identify the key environmental and physical drivers of marine litter accumulation on the seabed.
To develop predictive models for marine litter distribution and transfer.

Main Methods

Integration of trawl survey data with machine learning modeling approaches.
Analysis of marine litter composition, spatial distribution, and density.
Assessment of environmental factors (sea surface height, river mouths, bathymetry, coastline distance, wind, currents) and seasonal trends.

Main Results

Plastic constituted 58% of the total litter, followed by metal (38%).
Litter distribution was significantly influenced by sea surface height, proximity to river mouths, shallow bathymetric zones, and coastline distance.
Average debris density was 727 items/km², with hotspots over 2500 items/km² near river mouths and in shallow waters, peaking in spring and summer.

Conclusions

Marine litter accumulation is driven by a combination of oceanographic features and anthropogenic inputs, particularly from urban discharge and tourism.
Predictive models show significant litter transfer to deeper waters, especially during peak seasons.
Urgent, targeted management strategies are needed, including reducing riverine waste, improving coastal waste management, regulating tourism waste, and implementing monitoring programs.

Keywords:

Marine litter Mediterranean Sea Modeling Plastic pollution Seabed debris

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