Groundwater vulnerability and risk assessment coupled with hydrogeochemical analysis in the Taza aquifer (Morocco)

IF 4.9 Q2 ENGINEERING, ENVIRONMENTAL

Groundwater for Sustainable Development Pub Date : 2024-06-17 DOI:10.1016/j.gsd.2024.101242

Hanae Bouiss , Abdelhakim Jilali , Said Bengamra , Sofia Ourarhi

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Abstract

This study assesses the vulnerability of aquifers to increased contamination, influenced by rapid peri-urbanization and deficient sanitary infrastructure. The research focuses on the Taza aquifer in northeastern Morocco, where we applied the DRASTIC and GOD models. We further enhanced the DRASTIC method by the addition of a Fracture Index (F) ‘’DRASTICF‘’ to incorporate the effects of tectonics and geological discontinuities on groundwater behavior. The vulnerability mapping was performed for two distinct dry and wet periods of 2016 and 2021 respectively. Moreover, the use of hydrogeochemical analysis of 22 groundwater samples helped to identify potential sources of pollution and to understand the hydrogeological process. The results indicate a dynamic in vulnerability between these two periods due to changes in the recharge parameter and groundwater depth. The comparison between obtained vulnerability maps and nitrate concentrations reveals vulnerable zones that closely resemble regions affected by nitrate pollution. This area is predominantly classified as of high vulnerability at 27 %, associated with an estimated pollution level of 36%. The findings underscore also the importance of integrating the fracture index into the assessment of aquifer vulnerability alongside the different models. This integration offers an enriched perspective for effectively managing risks associated with groundwater contamination. The risk maps of groundwater contamination were also established by overlapping the vulnerability map with the land use layer. The main hydrogeochemical facies determined in the Piper Diagram allowed classifying the waters as Ca–Mg–HCO3 type. The significant correlations indicated that groundwater mineralization in the study area originates from the dissolution of limestone and evaporated formations. The water quality within the study area shows substantial variability, ranging from excellent to unsuitable, primarily due to the leaching of fertilizers and wastewater.

The different results can be very helpful to the farmers, and local authorities for better groundwater sustainable management.

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结合水文地质化学分析对塔扎含水层（摩洛哥）进行地下水脆弱性和风险评估

本研究评估了含水层在快速城市化和卫生基础设施不足的影响下易受污染加剧影响的程度。研究重点是摩洛哥东北部的塔扎含水层，我们采用了 DRASTIC 和 GOD 模型。我们进一步增强了 DRASTIC 方法，增加了断裂指数 (F) "DRASTICF"，以纳入构造和地质不连续性对地下水行为的影响。脆弱性绘图分别针对 2016 年和 2021 年两个不同的干旱和潮湿时期进行。此外，对 22 个地下水样本进行的水文地质化学分析有助于确定潜在的污染源并了解水文地质过程。结果表明，由于补给参数和地下水深度的变化，这两个时期之间的脆弱性呈动态变化。将所获得的脆弱性地图与硝酸盐浓度进行比较后发现，脆弱区与受硝酸盐污染影响的地区非常相似。该地区主要被归类为高脆弱区，占 27%，估计污染水平为 36%。研究结果还强调了将断裂指数与不同模型一起纳入含水层脆弱性评估的重要性。这种整合为有效管理与地下水污染相关的风险提供了更丰富的视角。通过将脆弱性图与土地利用层重叠，还绘制了地下水污染风险图。根据派珀图确定的主要水文地球化学面貌，可将水域划分为 Ca-Mg-HCO3 类型。重要的相关性表明，研究区域的地下水矿化源于石灰石和蒸发地层的溶解。研究区域内的水质变化很大，从优良到不适宜，主要是由于肥料和废水的浸出。

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来源期刊

Groundwater for Sustainable Development Social Sciences-Geography, Planning and Development

CiteScore

11.50

自引率

10.20%

发文量

152

期刊介绍： Groundwater for Sustainable Development is directed to different stakeholders and professionals, including government and non-governmental organizations, international funding agencies, universities, public water institutions, public health and other public/private sector professionals, and other relevant institutions. It is aimed at professionals, academics and students in the fields of disciplines such as: groundwater and its connection to surface hydrology and environment, soil sciences, engineering, ecology, microbiology, atmospheric sciences, analytical chemistry, hydro-engineering, water technology, environmental ethics, economics, public health, policy, as well as social sciences, legal disciplines, or any other area connected with water issues. The objectives of this journal are to facilitate: • The improvement of effective and sustainable management of water resources across the globe. • The improvement of human access to groundwater resources in adequate quantity and good quality. • The meeting of the increasing demand for drinking and irrigation water needed for food security to contribute to a social and economically sound human development. • The creation of a global inter- and multidisciplinary platform and forum to improve our understanding of groundwater resources and to advocate their effective and sustainable management and protection against contamination. • Interdisciplinary information exchange and to stimulate scientific research in the fields of groundwater related sciences and social and health sciences required to achieve the United Nations Millennium Development Goals for sustainable development.