Hydrogeology and structure of the liassic causse aquifer in El Menzel-Ribat El kheir (Middle Atlas, Morocco): an integrated approach combining a structural analysis and remote sensing

IF 2.2 4区地球科学 Q2 GEOSCIENCES, MULTIDISCIPLINARY

Journal of African Earth Sciences Pub Date : 2025-06-26 DOI:10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2025.105744

Youssef Drissi , Mohammed Laiche , Saïd Hinaje , Anas Laksir , Mohamed El Fartati , Driss Yaagoub

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

The unconfined aquifer hosted within the Lower to Middle Liassic carbonate formations of the Middle Atlas Causse (Morocco) serves as a critical water resource for both domestic and agricultural use in the El Menzel–Ribat El Kheir region in the Sefrou Province. This study investigates the structural controls on groundwater dynamics and aquifer geometry, with the aim of improving water resource management in a region increasingly affected by water scarcity.

A multi-source geostructural analysis was conducted by integrating remote sensing data and field investigations. Lineament mapping was performed using the first principal component (PCA-1) of Landsat 9 imagery and hillshade models derived from ASTER-DEM. These were complemented by detailed geological fieldwork and structural measurements, including analysis of striated faults, joints, and tension cracks.

The study identified both inherited and neoformed fault systems, with dominant orientations of N30° to N50°, N75° to N105°, N120° to N140°, and N160° to N10°. Rose diagram comparisons between remote sensing data and field observations confirmed a strong correlation between extracted lineaments and major fault trends. These faults, generated and reactivated through polyphased tectonic activity from the syn-to post-Upper Miocene, have played a fundamental role in shaping aquifer compartments.

Overlaying piezometric data from wells and boreholes onto fracture maps revealed a southeast-to-northwest groundwater flow direction, aligned with NW–SE-trending faults and generally perpendicular to Quaternary N30° faults. These structural features have contributed to the tectonic compartmentalization of the area into synthetic tilted blocks, promoting NW-directed collapse. This structural configuration facilitates the emergence of major springs, Aïn Mehraz, Aïn El Kebir, Aïn Tazroute, and Aïn Tamezoughte, along fault zones and tectonic intersections.

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El Menzel-Ribat El kheir （Middle Atlas, Morocco）叠纪成因含水层的水文地质与结构：结构分析与遥感相结合的综合方法

摩洛哥中部阿特拉斯成因（Middle Atlas Causse）下至中叠世碳酸盐岩地层中的无承压含水层是Sefrou省El Menzel-Ribat El Kheir地区家庭和农业使用的重要水资源。本研究探讨了地下水动力学和含水层几何的结构控制，旨在改善受水资源短缺影响日益严重的地区的水资源管理。结合遥感资料和实地调查，进行了多源地结构分析。利用Landsat 9影像的第一主成分（PCA-1）和ASTER-DEM衍生的山阴模型进行了线形制图。详细的地质实地考察和构造测量，包括对条纹断层、节理和张裂缝的分析，补充了这些资料。研究发现了继承和新形成的断裂系统，主要走向为N30°~ N50°、N75°~ N105°、N120°~ N140°和N160°~ N10°。遥感数据与实地观测的玫瑰图比较证实了提取的地貌与主要断层走向之间的强烈相关性。这些断裂是第三纪至晚中新世多期构造活动的结果，对形成含水层隔室起着重要作用。将井眼的压力测量数据叠加到裂缝图上，显示出东南向西北的地下水流向，与nw - se走向的断层对齐，大致垂直于第四纪N30°断层。这些构造特征使该地区被构造划分为综合倾斜块体，促进了北西向的崩塌。这种构造形态有利于沿着断裂带和构造交叉点出现主要的弹簧，Aïn Mehraz, Aïn El Kebir， Aïn Tazroute和Aïn Tamezoughte。

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来源期刊

Journal of African Earth Sciences 地学-地球科学综合

CiteScore

4.70

自引率

4.30%

发文量

240

审稿时长

12 months

期刊介绍： The Journal of African Earth Sciences sees itself as the prime geological journal for all aspects of the Earth Sciences about the African plate. Papers dealing with peripheral areas are welcome if they demonstrate a tight link with Africa. The Journal publishes high quality, peer-reviewed scientific papers. It is devoted primarily to research papers but short communications relating to new developments of broad interest, reviews and book reviews will also be considered. Papers must have international appeal and should present work of more regional than local significance and dealing with well identified and justified scientific questions. Specialised technical papers, analytical or exploration reports must be avoided. Papers on applied geology should preferably be linked to such core disciplines and must be addressed to a more general geoscientific audience.