Research Article

Shoreline Changes at the Souss and Massa rivers mouths, Morocco: A five decades analysis (1970-2024)

Volume: 10 Number: 3 September 17, 2025
EN

Shoreline Changes at the Souss and Massa rivers mouths, Morocco: A five decades analysis (1970-2024)

Abstract

River mouths are crucial environments for the exchange of energy and matter between land and ocean, yet they are highly sensitive to human interventions. This study analyzes the multi-decadal and seasonal dynamics of the Massa and Souss river mouths on the Moroccan Atlantic coast. Their evolution was assessed through diachronic shoreline analysis using aerial photographs and satellite images from 1970 to 2024, processed with GIS and DSAS tools. A seasonal topographic survey was also conducted in 2019–2020 on seven profiles using a total station. The results reveal contrasting trends: the Souss mouth is generally eroding, while the Massa mouth remains relatively stable with slight accretion. On a seasonal scale, topographic profiles indicate a morphological cycle of winter erosion followed by summer accumulation, maintaining a balanced sediment budget. Various natural and anthropogenic factors have shaped these changes over the past five decades. The river mouths experience intense Atlantic waves capable of eroding and redistributing sediments deposited by floods. Meanwhile, multiple upstream dams in the Souss and Massa watersheds have trapped 76.3 Mm³ of sediments, significantly reducing downstream sediment supply. Despite this, at a seasonal scale, the morphodynamic balance seems maintained by potential sand sources compensating for the decline in fluvial sediment input. These findings highlight the importance of understanding the interactions between hydrodynamic processes and sediment transport in these coastal environments. This study provides key insights for planning and managing the Souss and Massa estuaries, serving as a scientific reference for developing protection and integrated management strategies for these ecologically and biologically vital environments.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Cartography and Digital Mapping, Geographical Information Systems (GIS) in Planning

Journal Section

Research Article

Early Pub Date

May 7, 2025

Publication Date

September 17, 2025

Submission Date

February 24, 2025

Acceptance Date

April 25, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 10 Number: 3

APA
Nmiss, M., Amyay, M., Atiki, N., Ouammou, A., Benbih, M., Nait-si, H., Yazami Ztait, M., & Naji, E. M. (2025). Shoreline Changes at the Souss and Massa rivers mouths, Morocco: A five decades analysis (1970-2024). International Journal of Engineering and Geosciences, 10(3), 456-476. https://doi.org/10.26833/ijeg.1646118
AMA
1.Nmiss M, Amyay M, Atiki N, et al. Shoreline Changes at the Souss and Massa rivers mouths, Morocco: A five decades analysis (1970-2024). IJEG. 2025;10(3):456-476. doi:10.26833/ijeg.1646118
Chicago
Nmiss, M’hamed, Mhamed Amyay, Nadia Atiki, et al. 2025. “Shoreline Changes at the Souss and Massa Rivers Mouths, Morocco: A Five Decades Analysis (1970-2024)”. International Journal of Engineering and Geosciences 10 (3): 456-76. https://doi.org/10.26833/ijeg.1646118.
EndNote
Nmiss M, Amyay M, Atiki N, Ouammou A, Benbih M, Nait-si H, Yazami Ztait M, Naji EM (September 1, 2025) Shoreline Changes at the Souss and Massa rivers mouths, Morocco: A five decades analysis (1970-2024). International Journal of Engineering and Geosciences 10 3 456–476.
IEEE
[1]M. Nmiss et al., “Shoreline Changes at the Souss and Massa rivers mouths, Morocco: A five decades analysis (1970-2024)”, IJEG, vol. 10, no. 3, pp. 456–476, Sept. 2025, doi: 10.26833/ijeg.1646118.
ISNAD
Nmiss, M’hamed - Amyay, Mhamed - Atiki, Nadia - Ouammou, Abderrahmane - Benbih, Mahjoub - Nait-si, Hassan - Yazami Ztait, Mohammed - Naji, El Miloudiya. “Shoreline Changes at the Souss and Massa Rivers Mouths, Morocco: A Five Decades Analysis (1970-2024)”. International Journal of Engineering and Geosciences 10/3 (September 1, 2025): 456-476. https://doi.org/10.26833/ijeg.1646118.
JAMA
1.Nmiss M, Amyay M, Atiki N, Ouammou A, Benbih M, Nait-si H, Yazami Ztait M, Naji EM. Shoreline Changes at the Souss and Massa rivers mouths, Morocco: A five decades analysis (1970-2024). IJEG. 2025;10:456–476.
MLA
Nmiss, M’hamed, et al. “Shoreline Changes at the Souss and Massa Rivers Mouths, Morocco: A Five Decades Analysis (1970-2024)”. International Journal of Engineering and Geosciences, vol. 10, no. 3, Sept. 2025, pp. 456-7, doi:10.26833/ijeg.1646118.
Vancouver
1.M’hamed Nmiss, Mhamed Amyay, Nadia Atiki, Abderrahmane Ouammou, Mahjoub Benbih, Hassan Nait-si, Mohammed Yazami Ztait, El Miloudiya Naji. Shoreline Changes at the Souss and Massa rivers mouths, Morocco: A five decades analysis (1970-2024). IJEG. 2025 Sep. 1;10(3):456-7. doi:10.26833/ijeg.1646118

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