The Benthic Fauna and Water Physicochemical Characteristics in the Estuarine Ecosystem of the Mouth of Moulouya River (Morocco)

Moulouya is the most important river of Morocco flowing into the Mediterranean Sea. The present study was carried out to assess the impact of anthropogenic activities on the distribution and biodiversity of benthic fauna as well as water quality in the Moulouya River estuary area, Oriental region, Morocco. Three stations at the downstream receiving anthropogenic impacts were selected along the river estuary. Physicochemical characteristics of the river water including temperature, pH, salinity, DO, conductivity, SM, Cl- , NH3, PO4 3-, NO3-, NH3-N, COD and BOD were investigated. The study of the current state of the benthic fauna stationed at the mouth of the river resulted in 22 detected species distributed in 4 classes. Crustaceans were the most frequently collected with 4 inventoried types accounting for 43.5% (236/542). Molluscs represented 38.2% (207/542) of the collected specimens and Melanopsis costellata was the most abundant species. The investigation of the physicochemical parameters revealed water quality degradation mainly due to discharged organic matter of industrial and municipal effluents without proper treatment. The present study findings may allow updating data regarding the taxonomic inventory of the fauna as well as highlighting the water quality status in the estuarine ecosystem of the mouth of Moulouya River (Morocco).