Abhatoo - Centre Nationale de Documentation

The phenomenon of siltation constitutes a major problem in Nador Harbor, limiting navigation and requiring very costly dredging operations. In order to determine the origin (marine or continental) of the sediments that cause this phenomenon, 25 surface sediment samples were collected in the bottom of Nador Harbor with a Van Veen grab sampler. Then the grain size, mineralogy and geochemical evolution of the sediments were studied in order to identify the mode of transportation and the sedimentation processes in that harbor. The spatial characteristics of surface sediments at the bottom of Nador Harbor indicate two types of deposits: The first, less significant, is of marine origin, and the second, more dominant, is of continental origin. The identification of the continental origin of the deposit suggests the need to develop solutions in the upper watershed to reduce the siltation rate of Nador Harbor.