Assessment of Spatial and Seasonal Nitrate Variation of Groundwater in the Irrigated Perimeter (Tadla Plain- Morocco)

Abstract

The Nitric pollution in the groundwater of the Tadla plain increases the risk of degrading the quality of water resources and creates a risk to human health and the environment. This study aims to establish the state of pollution of the groundwater by nitrates in Béni Aamir and Béni Moussa aquifers, to follow its temporal evolution and to map its spatial distribution using Surfer software. To assess the contamination of well water by nitric pollution, 200 samples were collected in four seasonal campaigns between March 2017 and May 2018, with a rate of 43 samples taken per season. The spatial distribution of nitrates in the groundwater shows that the majority of the catchment points reached by this pollution are located in agricultural areas. Additionally, there was a range of 160.15 mg/L (4.65-164.5 mg/L). The temporal distribution of nitrate in the groundwater of Béni Aamir and Béni Moussa shows an increase in response to the agricultural intensification in this region, and a variation depending on the period of withdrawal. Including the increase in the quality degradation in all wells, from 1% in campaign N°01 to 7.06% in campaign N°02 and to 5.7% in campaign N°03, and to 0% as very bad quality in campaign N°04. The fact that the campaign N°02 has been carried out during the agricultural season, proves the link between the Nitrate pollution and chemical products uses during this period. Therefore, the impact of chemical products uses on the groundwater quality in this region.

Groundwater Quality Assessment for Human Drinking in Rural Areas, Al-Hoceima Province (Northern Morocco)

“…The bacteriological quality study of groundwater in the Tadla plain (Hafiane et al, 2020) showed that the spatial variation in the concentration of fecal indicator germs may be related to the location of wells, the presence of sources of contamination, the sampling period (wet or dry season), and also to anthropogenic activity.…”

Survey on Water Source Classification based on users’ opinions: Case of the Al-Hoceima region, Northern Morocco

“…The challenge facing the regions of Morocco, especially rural areas, is the protection of the quality of groundwater resources. The water sources of the aquifer in the Al-Hoceima region are known for their low piezometric level and, consequently, for their easy and uncontrolled exploitation [10,11]. Indeed, the lack of drinking water supply in certain rural areas or among certain fragile categories of the population pushes them to use water sources for all purposes, including drinking.…”

Inventory: The pesticides application and its risk assessment in the irrigated perimeter of Tadla-Morocco

“…The phytosanitary products contribute, making this region one of the most significant agricultural zones in Morocco with good quality and a large quantity of its crops. The deterioration of the groundwater quality is one of the major environmental outcomes of the modernization of cultivation in this perimeter (Oumenskou et al 2018;Hafiane et al 2020). In response to this situation, several scientific investigations have been carried out on water contamination.…”