Hydrogeochemical investigation and groundwater quality in Essaouira region, Morocco
Mohammed Bahir A , Driss Ouazar B and Salah Ouhamdouch A C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Laboratoire de Géosciences et Environnement, Département de Géologie, Ecole Normale Supérieure, Université Cadi Ayyad, Route Essaouira, BP 2400, Marrakech, Morocco.
B Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Hay My Rachid, 43150, Ben Guerir, Morocco.
C Corresponding author. Email: salah.ouhamdouch@edu.uca.ma
Marine and Freshwater Research 70(9) 1317-1332 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF18319
Submitted: 31 March 2018 Accepted: 23 January 2019 Published: 12 April 2019
Abstract
Given the scarcity, or even absence, of surface water and the domination of the semi-arid climate in the coastal zone of the Essaouira basin (Morocco), the Plio-Quaternary, Turonian, Barremian–Aptian and Hauterivian aquifers represent the main source of water for fine consumption and agriculture. However, the study of their quality is a priority. So as to reach the objective of this study, the combination of the two hydrogeochemical and geographical information system tools was used. The results obtained showed that the facies characterising the Plio-Quaternary aquifer was a combination of Ca–Mg–Cl and Na–Cl, and that characterising the Turonian, Barremian–Aptian and the Hauterivian aquifer was a combination of Ca–Mg–Cl. However, flagship ions in the study area are Cl, Na, Ca and Mg. For consumptions purpose, the comparison of the concentrations of major elements with the standards of the World Health Organization showed that all the elements presented concentrations below the threshold, except for chlorides, the concentrations of which exceeded the threshold. For the agricultural purposes, the two Wilcox and United States Salinity Laboratory (USSL) diagrams, and the spatial distribution of parameters total dissolved solids, total hardness, permeability Kelly’s ratio, sodium hazard, sodium percentage and nitrates showed that the groundwater in the study area is adequate for persistent plants with a high to very high salinity tolerance.
Additional keywords: Essaouira basin, GIS, hydrochemistry, semi-arid environment.
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