Original Article

Physico-chemical study and microstructural characterization of sands in the North Coasts of Doukkala region Morocco

¹ Advanced Systems Engineering Laboratory, National School of Applied Sciences of Kenitra, Ibn Tofail University, Kénitra, Morocco
² Laboratory of Physical Chemistry, Materials and Catalysis, Faculty of Sciences, Ben M’sik, Hassan II University, Casablanca, Morocco
³ Department of Physics, Condensed Matter Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences, Chouaib Doukkali University, El Jadida, Morocco
⁴ Molecular Modeling and Spectroscopy Research Team, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Chouaïb Doukkali University, El Jadida, Morocco

^* e-mail: redouanemghaiouini@gmail.com

Received: 24 July 2023
Accepted: 1 March 2024

Abstract

This research presents a comprehensive investigation into the diverse coastal sands of the Doukkala region, encompassing El Jadida, El Haouzia, Lala Aicha El Bahria, Sidi Bounnayem, and Mazagan Beach. To achieve this, we employed a range of analytical techniques, including sieving granulometry, bulk density, absolute density, water absorption, pH measurement, electrical conductivity (EC), total soluble solids (TSS), salinity, X-ray diffraction (XDR), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The findings of this study unveiled that the predominant component in these sands is silicon dioxide (SiO₂), with the presence of impurities such as iron, clay, and organic matter. This research holds significant value in the context of materials used in construction.