Groundwater is crucial for meeting the water needs of rural communities, serving both domestic and agricultural purposes. However, its quality in our study area remains unclear. Therefore, the primary objective of the current study is to evaluate the groundwater quality and ascertain the level of contamination risk associated with the use of septic tanks in rural communities within the Al Hoceima province. This will be achieved by conducting a comprehensive analysis of physicochemical parameters and employing effective indices, including the Water Quality Index (WQI), Nitrate Pollution Index (NPI), and Chronic Health Risk (CHR). In February 2023, we collected samples from 33 wells, spanning densely and sparsely populated regions, to account for potential variations in water quality. The analyzed parameters included pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), ammonium (NH4+), nitrates (NO3-), nitrites (NO2-), sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), chloride (Cl-), sulfate (SO42-), bicarbonate (HCO3-), phosphate (PO43-), and silica (SiO2). Our findings revealed slightly alkaline groundwater with TDS levels ranging from 1508.63 mg/l to 8289.8 mg/l, with an average of 3223.19 mg/l. The cation dominance sequence observed was Na+ > Ca2+ > Mg2+ > K+ >NH4+, while for anions, it followed as SO42- > Cl- > HCO3- > NO3- > PO43- > NO2-. The Water Quality Index (WQI) indicated contamination in 54.55% of the wells, with notably higher NPI values in densely populated regions. This suggests anthropogenic nitrate contamination, likely originating from septic tanks. The assessment of Chronic Health Risk (CHR) revealed non-carcinogenic health risks in 27.27% of samples for children and 15.15% for adults. Given these findings, it is imperative for Moroccan authorities, despite the efforts of the Loukkos Hydraulic Basin Agency (LHBA), to implement strategic measures to protect groundwater quality in densely populated rural regions.
The rainfall irregularity in the Al-Hoceima area places the Ghis-Nekor coastal aquifer as a primary resource for water supply. However, it is of paramount priority to adopt management and optimization plans that can mitigate the effects of the irrational use of the resource and the deterioration of its quality in the region of our study. In order to study the alteration aspects of this aquifer, 26 wells were sampled and their suitability for irrigation was assessed. The sodium adsorption rate (SAR) values indicate that most groundwater samples fall into the risk classes of high salinity and low sodium (C3-S1) and high salinity and medium sodium (C3-S2). The results also show a medium to high alkalinity risk due to the high concentration of HCO3-. The excess of salts is largely due to the intensive exploitation of groundwater and to the phenomenon of salt-water intrusion into the coastal karst aquifer. As a result, the quality of groundwater is not adapted to sustainable agricultural production and soil balance, which requires controlled monitoring to ensure its rational use with a view to the sustainable development of the region.
The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of human anthropic activities on the physicochemical and biological properties as well as the quantity of the groundwater in the central Rif of Morocco. Series of analyses were carried out on the water resources of this area. The interpretation of analytical data and the distribution of groundwater into groups were treated using multivariate statistical methods including Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and the Ascending Hierarchical Classification (CHA). The results of the present study showed strong mineralization of the investigated area waters. This study also indicated the impact of anthropogenic activities and their influences on the quality of groundwater in the central Rif, with the presence of total coliforms, fecal Escherichia coli type, and fecal streptococci intestinal enterococcal type, suggesting that the contamination of this groundwater was induced by human pollution. In addition, the infiltration of groundwater by wastewater from septic tanks, the use of wastewater for irrigation purposes, the increased use of fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture, and irregular rainfall in the region constitute the main factors of anthropogenic contamination of groundwater in the study area.
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