Assessment of the coastal environmental status in Western Algeria: Mostaganem case study

Mostaganem Coastal environments in Western Algeria constitute a dynamic environment influenced by both natural and anthropogenic continental inputs and controlled by the hydrodynamic network, climatic factors, and anthropic pressures. The geological structure individualizes rocky massifs, separated by valleys, with rivers flowing into the sea. The high cliffs that generally line Mostaganem coast are naturally exposed to hydric, marine, and wind erosion. The hydrographic network leading to the sea includes the Cheliff river (with a length of 800 kilometers). This network provides the marine environment with terrigenous inputs. Rivers are collectors of all pollutants from human, agricultural and industrial activities. Some coastal zones are, by their geography and geomorphology, a receptor where are trapped water bodies loaded with exogenous mineral and /or organic matter resulted from the anthropic activities. The coastal areas most affected by water pollution, which are neighboring industrial ports. These areas are the receptacle for various sources of pollution, including heavy metals, hydrocarbons, and organic compounds... etc. The residence time of these water bodies is related to the sea current's intensity which controls the distribution and dilution of dissolved substances that can unbalance the ecosystem. The aim of this paper is the characterization of the Mostaganem coast status in Western Algeria and the assessment of the land-sea interface -based on the “Driver-Pressures-State-Impact-Responses, DPSIR” approach.