Trace metal contents in the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis from Atlantic coastal areas in northwestern Morocco: Levels of contamination and assessment of potential risks to human health.

The bioaccumulation of trace metals Cd, Cr, Cu and Zn in soft tissues of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis was studied seasonally along the Atlantic coast of northwestern Morocco. Average concentrations (μg g dry weight) decreased in the following order: Zn (141.61 ± 78.

First assessment of phytoplankton diversity in a Marrocan shallow reservoir (Sidi Abderrahmane).

In order to find effective measures to control a Moroccan shallow reservoir (Sidi Abderrahmane), a better understanding of phytoplankton composition, abundance, spatial and temporal distribution it is necessary. Trophic level and the stability status were assessed upon the basis of Shannon diversity index (H'), species richness (S), and evenness (J) index. Statistical tests were used to evaluate the different relationships between phytoplankton and the concentrations of several physico-chemical parameters, and the main soluble nutrients.

[Copepods distribution in relation to a Cape Ghir upwelling filament (Moroccan Atlantic coast)].

The study of the Cape Ghir upwelling filament (31°N) focalizes to describe the dispersive mechanism, caused by the upwelling. The zooplankton was sampled during five oceanographic cruises conducted between 2008 and 2009. Surface temperature and chlorophyll "a" were also measured along with sampling.

Enhanced open ocean storage of CO2 from shelf sea pumping.

Seasonal field observations show that the North Sea, a Northern European shelf sea, is highly efficient in pumping carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to the North Atlantic Ocean. The bottom topography-controlled stratification separates production and respiration processes in the North Sea, causing a carbon dioxide increase in the subsurface layer that is ultimately exported to the North Atlantic Ocean. Globally extrapolated, the net uptake of carbon dioxide by coastal and marginal seas is about 20% of the world ocean's uptake of anthropogenic carbon dioxide, thus enhancing substantially the open ocean carbon dioxide storage.