Mohammed Laaboudi, Abdelhamid Mezrhab, Zahar Elkheir Alioua, Ali Achebour, Wadii Snaibi, Said Elyagoubi
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
The aim of the present study is to assess the hydrological water balance of Oued Cherraa catchment area in north-eastern Morocco, employing the SWAT (soil and water assessment tool) hydrological model. The principal goal was to examine pivotal elements of the water balance (precipitation, evapotranspiration, runoff, and aquifer recharge) and their geographical variation to offer insights for the sustainable management of water resources in this semi-arid region. The model was calibrated and validated using local climate and hydrological data. The resulting values indicated a moderate underestimation of observed flow, with the calibration having a PBIAS value of - 9.1 and the validation a PBIAS of - 0.2. A sensitivity analysis identified the deep aquifer percolation fraction (RCHRG_DP) and the baseflow recession coefficient (ALPHA_BF) as the most influential parameters. The study demonstrates that evapotranspiration represents 89% of annual precipitation, while runoff contributes only 6%. The role of shallow aquifers in water storage is more significant than that of deep aquifers, and irrigation practices have a notable impact on groundwater levels. These findings emphasize the necessity for sustainable water management and meticulous monitoring of aquifers to prevent overexploitation in Oued Cherraa basin. The SWAT model is demonstrated to be a valuable instrument for water resource management in semi-arid regions.
期刊介绍：
Environmental Geochemistry and Health publishes original research papers and review papers across the broad field of environmental geochemistry. Environmental geochemistry and health establishes and explains links between the natural or disturbed chemical composition of the earth’s surface and the health of plants, animals and people.
Beneficial elements regulate or promote enzymatic and hormonal activity whereas other elements may be toxic. Bedrock geochemistry controls the composition of soil and hence that of water and vegetation. Environmental issues, such as pollution, arising from the extraction and use of mineral resources, are discussed. The effects of contaminants introduced into the earth’s geochemical systems are examined. Geochemical surveys of soil, water and plants show how major and trace elements are distributed geographically. Associated epidemiological studies reveal the possibility of causal links between the natural or disturbed geochemical environment and disease. Experimental research illuminates the nature or consequences of natural or disturbed geochemical processes.
The journal particularly welcomes novel research linking environmental geochemistry and health issues on such topics as: heavy metals (including mercury), persistent organic pollutants (POPs), and mixed chemicals emitted through human activities, such as uncontrolled recycling of electronic-waste; waste recycling; surface-atmospheric interaction processes (natural and anthropogenic emissions, vertical transport, deposition, and physical-chemical interaction) of gases and aerosols; phytoremediation/restoration of contaminated sites; food contamination and safety; environmental effects of medicines; effects and toxicity of mixed pollutants; speciation of heavy metals/metalloids; effects of mining; disturbed geochemistry from human behavior, natural or man-made hazards; particle and nanoparticle toxicology; risk and the vulnerability of populations, etc.
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