doi: 10.18178/ijesd.2025.16.1.1506
Assessment of Groundwater Quality in the Alluvial Aquifer Using GIS and Water Quality Indices in the Feija Plain, South-East Morocco
Hamid Nadi1,*
,
Zakaria Zher2 ,
Nabila Auajjar1 ,
Naima Dohou3 ,
Khalid Yamni4 ,
Moulay Laarbi Ouahidi1
- 1Laboratory of Biology and Health, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra, Morocco
- 2Laboratory for Industrial Engineering and Surface Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology Beni Mellal, Sultane Moulay Slimane University, Morocco
- 3Laboratory of Plant Biotechnologies, Agadir Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, BP 8106, Cite Dakhla, 80000 Agadir, Morocco
- 4Natural Sciences and Didactic Innovation Team, Regional Centre for Education and Training, Rabat-Sale-Kenitra, Morocco
- Manuscript receivedJuly 10, 2024
- revisedSeptember 11, 2024
- acceptedOctober 11, 2024
- publishedJanuary 17, 2025
Abstract
This study examines groundwater quality in theFeija alluvial plain, southeastern Morocco, shedding light on theimpacts of agricultural overexploitation and climate change.Employing the Water Quality Index (WQI) and GeospatialAnalysis (GIS), it evaluates the suitability of water for domesticand agricultural uses through seasonal analysis of samples. Thedata reveal a wide variation in water quality, with some regionshaving average to poor M'nasra aquifer and the Tinzoulineaquifer (Draa, Morocco). Some research is being carried outTinzouline and M'nasera aquifers.The Feija aquifer boasts a heterogeneous composition,comprising Plio-Quaternary terrains of varying thickness. Theanalysis identifies diverse chemical facies of groundwater,encompassing calcium bicarbonate, sodium chloride, andchloride sulfate, calcium, and magnesium. These characteristicsmirror the influence of both human activities and naturalconditions on water quality. The spatial distribution of the WQIpredominantly indicates good water quality, albeit withvariations attributed to agricultural practices and the uniquegeology of the region, particularly noticeable at sites P5 and P6where quality is diminished.In terms of agricultural use, quality indices suggest marginalwater suitability, with concerns revolving around salinity andsodium, necessitating vigilant management to upholdagricultural sustainability. Lastly, the study unveils an absenceof significant nitrate pollution, with groundwater maintainingcleanliness. These findings underscore the significance ofmonitoring and managing water resources to tackle current andfuture challenges posed by agriculture and climate change in theregion.
Keywords
- groundwater quality
- WQI
- irrigation uses
- GIS
- Feija plain
How to Cite
Hamid Nadi, Zakaria Zher, Nabila Auajjar, Naima Dohou, Khalid Yamni, and Moulay Laarbi Ouahidi, "Assessment of Groundwater Quality in the Alluvial Aquifer Using GIS and Water Quality Indices in the Feija Plain, South-East Morocco," International Journal of Environmental Science and Development, vol. 16, no. 1, pp. 16-33, 2025. https://doi.org/10.18178/ijesd.2025.16.1.1506
Copyright & License
Copyright © 2025 by the authors. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited (CC BY 4.0).