Use of benthic
population and embryo-larval development stages of the sea urchin Paracentrotus
lividus for evaluating the ecological quality of the west Moroccan Mediterranean
coast
Fouad Meriem, Benhra Ali, Bouhallaoui Mina, El Haimeur Bouchra and Bessi Hlima
Res. J. Chem. Environ; Vol. 25(8); 73-82;
doi: https://doi.org/10.25303/258rjce7382; (2021)
Abstract
Moroccan Mediterranean coast is tending to become overused due to urbanization,
industrial, fishing and leisure activities; thus, the sea is the final receptacle
for nuisances developed. Ecological assessment of aquatic systems using biological
indicators has been frequently used to assess water quality. Benthic populations
are good indicators of the state of their environment because of their sedentary
lifestyle and the diversity of their quick responses to different sources of disturbance.
Biological tests on sea urchins are widely used to assess contaminants in sediment
and effects on health status. Their sensitivity is manifested by disturbances in
the reproductive cycle, fertility and larval development.
The main objective of this study is to contribute to the evaluation of quality of
West Moroccan Mediterranean coast by studying benthic population’s organization
and calculation of biological indices first, then studying sediment toxicity using
embryotoxicity bioassay on sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus. Results of the evaluation
of the environment impact and toxicity of sediments of West Moroccan Mediterranean
coast showed that with the exception of a few stations which are of good quality,
the ecological status and the quality of the sediments tested range from moderate
to poor.
