Impacts of COVID-19 lockdowns on water quality along the coast of Morocco

Abstract Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most of marine activities and all anthropogenic along coast have been shut off for several months. The total suspended matter (TSM) was analyzed before during lockdown in Morocco. Therefore, aim this study assess changes reflected through April 2018, 2019, 2020 2021. In absence ground observations period, remote sensing data used study. results showed a gradual reduction TSM concentration, indicating positive improvement period. concentrations period decreased by 40.59% on average compared with pre-lockdown Further, turbidity water has reduced at each stretch rivers. Remote is powerful tool analyzing over whole littoral areas, even field observations. ongoing pandemic shows that an ocean cleaner possible. These findings provide general reference state Moroccan could contribute improve policy future monitoring program.