Characteristics and spatial distribution of marine litter on the Moroccan Mediterranean coasts: Insights from Al Hoceima region in the central southern Alboran Sea.
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| Natura: | Artículo científico |
| Lingua: | en |
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Marine pollution bulletin
2025
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| _version_ | 1868266228821262337 |
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| author | Hasni, Soufiane Mghili, Bilal Keznine, Mohamed Barakat, Amina |
| author_facet | Hasni, Soufiane Mghili, Bilal Keznine, Mohamed Barakat, Amina Hasni, Soufiane Mghili, Bilal Keznine, Mohamed Barakat, Amina |
| collection | PubMed - marine biology |
| contents | Characteristics and spatial distribution of marine litter on the Moroccan Mediterranean coasts: Insights from Al Hoceima region in the central southern Alboran Sea. Hasni, Soufiane Mghili, Bilal Keznine, Mohamed Barakat, Amina Mediterranean Sea Environmental Monitoring Morocco Waste Products Plastics Marine litter, particularly plastic waste, is a pervasive issue in the Mediterranean Sea, driven by unique oceanographic features and intense anthropogenic pressures, including population growth and seasonal tourism. However, studies on submerged marine waste in the Moroccan Mediterranean, especially on the seabed, remain limited. This study aims to investigate the spatial distribution and key drivers of marine litter accumulation in the Al Hoceima region by integrating trawl survey data with machine learning modeling approaches. The results indicate that plastic accounted for 58 % of the total litter, followed by metal (38 %), rubber (3 %), timber (2.8 %), and cloth (2 %). The distribution of marine litter is primarily influenced by key environmental factors, including elevated sea surface height, proximity to river mouths, shallow bathymetric zones, and distance from the coastline. Wind patterns and marine currents also play a crucial role in litter transport, promoting the offshore movement of floating debris and facilitating its redistribution toward deeper areas and sensitive habitats. The spatial and depth distribution analyses revealed an average debris density of 727 items/km, with hotspots surpassing 2500 items/km observed in shallow waters and areas near river mouths, which are particularly affected by urban discharge and tourism-related activities during peak seasons. Seasonal trends indicate higher densities in spring and summer. Predictive models identified significant litter transfer to deeper waters, with densities reaching 3000 items/km during peak months. These findings highlight the urgent need for targeted management strategies, such as reducing riverine waste inputs, improving coastal waste collection, regulating tourism-related waste, and establishing regular monitoring programs, to mitigate the impacts of marine litter and support sustainable waste management policies. |
| format | Artículo científico |
| id | pubmed_40121718 |
| institution | PubMed |
| language | en |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publisher | Marine pollution bulletin |
| record_format | pubmed |
| spellingShingle | Characteristics and spatial distribution of marine litter on the Moroccan Mediterranean coasts: Insights from Al Hoceima region in the central southern Alboran Sea. Hasni, Soufiane Mghili, Bilal Keznine, Mohamed Barakat, Amina Mediterranean Sea Environmental Monitoring Morocco Waste Products Plastics Characteristics and spatial distribution of marine litter on the Moroccan Mediterranean coasts: Insights from Al Hoceima region in the central southern Alboran Sea. Hasni, Soufiane Mghili, Bilal Keznine, Mohamed Barakat, Amina Mediterranean Sea Environmental Monitoring Morocco Waste Products Plastics Marine litter, particularly plastic waste, is a pervasive issue in the Mediterranean Sea, driven by unique oceanographic features and intense anthropogenic pressures, including population growth and seasonal tourism. However, studies on submerged marine waste in the Moroccan Mediterranean, especially on the seabed, remain limited. This study aims to investigate the spatial distribution and key drivers of marine litter accumulation in the Al Hoceima region by integrating trawl survey data with machine learning modeling approaches. The results indicate that plastic accounted for 58 % of the total litter, followed by metal (38 %), rubber (3 %), timber (2.8 %), and cloth (2 %). The distribution of marine litter is primarily influenced by key environmental factors, including elevated sea surface height, proximity to river mouths, shallow bathymetric zones, and distance from the coastline. Wind patterns and marine currents also play a crucial role in litter transport, promoting the offshore movement of floating debris and facilitating its redistribution toward deeper areas and sensitive habitats. The spatial and depth distribution analyses revealed an average debris density of 727 items/km, with hotspots surpassing 2500 items/km observed in shallow waters and areas near river mouths, which are particularly affected by urban discharge and tourism-related activities during peak seasons. Seasonal trends indicate higher densities in spring and summer. Predictive models identified significant litter transfer to deeper waters, with densities reaching 3000 items/km during peak months. These findings highlight the urgent need for targeted management strategies, such as reducing riverine waste inputs, improving coastal waste collection, regulating tourism-related waste, and establishing regular monitoring programs, to mitigate the impacts of marine litter and support sustainable waste management policies. |
| title | Characteristics and spatial distribution of marine litter on the Moroccan Mediterranean coasts: Insights from Al Hoceima region in the central southern Alboran Sea. |
| topic | Mediterranean Sea Environmental Monitoring Morocco Waste Products Plastics |
| url | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40121718/ |