Spatial analysis of geochemical elements of continental and marine surface sediments in southern Morocco: as an indicator of environmental and climate change

Résumé

Like other regions of Morocco, southern Morocco is presently subject to severe drought, desertification and socio-economic stress. Studies on climate change, landscape and vegetation have mainly focused on the northern regions of the country. In contrast, the climate and environmental history in the south of the country is largely unknown. In the case of our study, we have chosen the characterization of southern Morocco based on geochemical parameters (major and trace elements). Continental and marine samples are collected along the south of Morocco. The concentrations of chemical elements are obtained by X-ray fluorescence scanning (XRF) in order to define the effects of climate change and rainfall on the local environment and natural resources. The integration of the different results allowed us to reconstruct climate, ocean and environmental changes. That has enabled us to provide data for land-ocean correlations.