Hydrogeochemical characteristics of groundwater from Zamrane region (Morocco)

Ait-Tahar, Mohamed , Ouhamdouch, Salah , Minoubi, Abdenaim , Ennahli, Said

2025-04-28 CARBONATES AND EVAPORITES 2025   40(卷), 2(期), (null页)

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Since several decades, the groundwater, hosted in the Plio-Quaternary aquifer, has been the primary resource for drinking and irrigation purpose in Zamrane region (Haouz basin, Morocco). Thus, the main purpose of this study is to evaluate the groundwater quality deterioration in Zamrane region. A total of 82 groundwater samples collected in April 2022, 70 were used to draw up the piezometeric map and 12 were analyzed for major elements (HCO3-, SO42-, Cl-, NO3-, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, and K+). Groundwater flow is from the southeast to the northwest with a generally constant gradient of around 0.75%. The hydrogeochemistry shows that the processes that control the mineralization of groundwater in the study area are mainly linked to the interaction with the host, namely the dissolution of evaporitic minerals and the base exchange with clay minerals. Also, this study shows that these waters are affected by the phenomenon of evaporation. The suitability of this vital resource for domestic use was assessed by comparing the contents of major elements with the recommendations set by the World Health Organization (WHO). As for agricultural purposes, we used the two indices: percentage of sodium (Na%) and sodium adsorption rate (SAR). The results obtained show that the waters of the Zamrane region require treatment before being exploited for domestic uses and that they are favorable to salinity tolerant crops plants resistant to high concentrations of salinity with a low to medium sodium hazard. However, the results of this study remain a baseline that could be used for better management and protection of water resources and the environment of the Zamrane region.