Impact of anthropogenic activities on the groundwater resources of the unconfined aquifer of Triffa plain (Eastern Morocco)

Microbiological, physicochemical, and heavy metals assessment of groundwater quality in the Triffa plain (eastern Morocco)

“…The high concentrations result from the presence of cultivation zones, where ammonium nitrate is used as a chemical fertilizer. This observation is similar to those made in other studies carried out in the Triffa plain (Fetouani et al 2008;Fekkoul et al 2013). The increases in other anions and cations occur due to the concentration of these ions by recycling the groundwater as irrigation water (Bahri and Saibi 2012).…”

“…The yearly average temperature is 17.4°C, but seasonal variability is high, with a minimum of 11°C and a maximum of 25°C. The average annual evapotranspiration is about 300 mm/year (Fekkoul et al 2013). …”

“…In Morocco, the local economy is based on agriculture, which consumes 92% of the total water use. Currently, water resources are under serious pressure and agricultural practices often have negative impacts on groundwater quality (Chettouani and Damou 1993;Benkaddour 1997;Fetouani et al 2008;Fekkoul et al 2013). The scenarios of possible climate change impact on groundwater in the north of Africa are alarming (IPCC 2007;Jilali 2014).…”

“…Piezometric maps show that the direction of groundwater is from SE to NW (Fekkoul et al 2013). For this reason, most of the contamination takes place in this direction.…”

Sustainable water management - perspectives for tourism development in north-eastern Morocco

“…• Rapid increase of freshwater demand • Increasing Imbalance of water supply and demand (water gap) Bzioui et al, 2010;Fetouani et al, 2008;Kadi, 2004;Moustadraf, Razack, & Sinan, 2008 Over-abstraction of fresh -and groundwater Bzioui et al, 2010;Carneiro et al, 2010;El Yaouti, El Mandour, Khattach, Benavente, & Kaufmann, 2009;Fekkoul et al, 2013;Schyns & Hoekstra, 2014;Zarhloule et al, 2009 Lack of adequate water management…”