PRESERVING CULTURAL LANDSCAPES: IMPACT OF AEROSOL ON SALÉ ‘S RAMPARTS

The medina of Salé, a cultural landscape located on Morocco’s Atlantic coast, is highly vulnerable to environmental degradation. The ramparts exhibit indications of salt efflorescence, chemical alteration, and physical erosion. These pathologies have been linked to local climatic conditions, particularly marine aerosols that are rich in sulfates and nitrates. Wind plays a pivotal role in the transportation of these particles, thereby intensifying chemical and mechanical erosion. The present study focuses on the most exposed rampart sections affected by sea spray and salt-laden winds. Utilising a multidisciplinary approach that integrates climatic data and in situ sampling, the research underscores the pivotal role of wind energy and marine dynamics in the deterioration of limestone structures. The findings emphasise the necessity for sitespecific conservation strategies that address the interaction between environmental forces and material vulnerability in coastal heritage contexts.