Modeling the Nador lagoon, Morocco

An existing shallow water finite element model, developed at ISMAR-CNR in Venice, has been used to simulate the hydrodynamic features of a Mediterranean coastal lagoon: the Nador lagoon, Morocco. In fact, in the last fifty years this lagoon has been characterized by eutrophication and a dramatic increase of organic matter inputs and sedimentation, due to the increasing urbanization and the development of aquacultural activities. The study seems to confirm that the circulation is mainly induced by the wind and that the situation is also related to the unique communication channel with the Mediterranean Sea, which strongly affects the water exchange of the basin. The results are in good agreement with the pattern proposed by Guelorget et al. (1987) in previous studies.