Climate impact on surface and groundwater in North Africa: a global synthesis of findings and recommendations

Abstract

Climate change is having short-and long-term impacts on surface and groundwater in the northern part of the African continent. This has led to a wide range of consequences that have added pressure on the groundwater systems in this part of the world. Among such pressures, we can cite the mal-distribution and the irregularity of precipitation and ice, flooding, evaporitic sediments input by the drainage net, water degradation, mud stagnation in dams, dead tranche, drought, decreasing of the natural recharge and increasing of the groundwater abstraction, conflict between trans-boundary waters, desertification, imbalance between the regions, migration, revolution, socio-economic imbalance, etc. Actually, watermonitoring networks indicate noticeable hydrogeologic variations and a rise of the groundwater salinity. It was confirmed by the geochemical analysis of water resources that showed scattered data between the northern part characterized by low mineralized groundwater (TDS ranging 0.4-3 g/l) and the southern area where the salinity ranges from 2.5 to 90 g/l. The obtained values are far above the permissible limits for both human consumption, agricultural and tourist activities. These effects, when compounded, are anticipated to worsen the situation and to constitute veritable threats for social and economic development in these regions of North Africa (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, etc.). The potential solutions consist of taking urgent to utilize the intelligent technology (bio and nano-technology), policies relevant policies to manage water resources, and the engagement of private, civil, and international sectors if a major crisis is to be averted (collective effort).

The use of GIS and water quality index to assess groundwater quality of krimat aquifer (Essaouira; Morocco)

“…Moreover, it is a need for studies on how groundwater will be managed. For efficiency, the management and assessment of groundwater resources need an understanding of hydrogeochemical and hydrogeological features of the aquifer [3,4]. Furthermore, groundwater quality depends on several components such as topographic relief, rainfall, mineral dissolution, ion exchange, oxidation, reduction, human and natural activities, use of fertilizers and pesticides [5][6][7][8].…”

Saltwater Intrusion Zone Mapping on Shallow Groundwater Aquifer in Selat Baru, Bengkalis Island, Indonesia

“…Saltwater intrusion became an important issue in coastal region because it can affect the freshwater quality in surrounding areas (Putra et al, 2017). Climate change-induced sea level rise on multiobjective saltwater intrusion management strategies in coastal aquifers (Kumar and Bithin, 2018) (Hamed et al, 2018). The salinity of water resources is an important problem that the world population suffers.…”

Physicochemical and isotopical characterization of groundwater in the basin of Guelma, North-East of Algeria

“…Water is the most essential supporting element for the survival of human life, gives full support in the movement, circulation and cycling of nutrients [BANO 2017;DAHOUA et al 2017;HAMAD et al 2018b]. In the last few decades, there has been a tremendous increase in the demand for fresh water due to rapid growth of population, unplanned urbanization, industrialization and too much use of fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture [BAHROUN, CHAIB 2017;BESSER et al 2018;HAMED et al 2018;JOARDER et al 2008]. Meanwhile sufficient potable quality of water is deteriorating and its pollution level is going up at a fast rate.…”