Wyniki wyszukiwania - BazTech

1

Study of Hydrochemical Characteristics in the Middle Moulouya Basin of Morocco

Saadi Omar, Dimane Fouad, Nouayti Nordine, Nouayti Abderrahime, Bourjila Abdelhak

Ecological Engineering & Environmental Technology

|

2024

|

Vol. 25, iss. 3

220--232

EN

This study analyzes the effects of dry land salinity, climate severity, and pollution on groundwater quality in the Middle Moulouya basin. Our research provides insights into certain pollutants and their sources and discusses the impact of saline soil and dry weather. A comprehensive understanding of these factors is essential for managing water resources and promoting sustainable resource use in the area. In fact, the use of a database relating to the major elements, viz. potassium (K+), calcium (Ca2+), sodium (Na2+), magnesium (Mg2+), bicarbonates (HCO3-), sulfates (SO42-, nitrates (NO3-), chlorides (Cl-) has proved to be effective to assess the hydrochemical features of groundwaters and their suitability for both aims (i.e., irrigation and drinking). The Middle Moulouya basin’s subterranean water is slightly acidic to basic, with a pH range of 6.8 to 7.66 and mild to brackish water at specific sites. Furthermore, in line with the hydrochemistry diagrams, groundwater can be classified into three main types: Ca-Cl, Ca-HCO3, and Ca-Mg-Cl type. Moreover, the results pertaining to the overall quality of groundwater regarding Moroccan control standards guidelines indicate that: (i) 32.43% of the groundwater samples are of excellent quality, (ii) 24.32% of the collected water points are of good quality, (iii) 32.43% have medium quality, (iiii) and only 10.82% are of poor and very poor quality (i.e., 5.41% for each class). Finally, based on the Wilcox method, a significant percentage of groundwater sites are suitable for farming.

2

Investigating Microplastics in the Mediterranean Coastal Areas – Case Study of Al-Hoceima Bay, Morocco

Achoukhi Iliass, El Hammoudani Yahya, Dimane Fouad, Haboubi Khadija, Bourjila Abdelhak, Haboubi Chaimae, Benaissa Chaimae, Elabdouni Aouatif, Faiz Hatim

Journal of Ecological Engineering

|

2023

|

Vol. 24, nr 5

176--190

EN

The issue of microplastics pollution is gaining increasing attention as a global environmental concern. These tiny particles, measuring no more than 5 mm in size and coming in various shapes, can affect all types of marine eco-systems as they are easily consumed by a wide range of marine species. Al-Hoceima Bay, with its semi-enclosed nature and heavily affected anthropized coastline, was chosen as the study area for this research. The main objective was to investigate the presence of various microplastic types in Al-Hoceima Bay by implementing a sampling strategy along the coastline. This comprehensive approach was applied on a local scale within the bay (located in the northwest Mediterranean). Three stations were established in the bay, each located at different levels: the supralittoral, medilittoral and interlittoral. Microplastics were collected from these locations and classified into four categories based on their abundance. Digital microscopy was used to count the plastic particles and they were identified by Fourier transform-attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). Results showed a higher presence of microplastics in water at 114 particles/L compared to sediment at 70 particles/L. The classification of samples revealed fibers as the most prevalent form, followed by fragments and films being the least commonly found. The abundance of fibers was found to be higher in water 90%, while in sediment it was 31%, however, fragments and leaves were found in higher concentrations in sediment. Polypropylene and polyethylene were identified as the major polymers used in the microplastics analyzed.

3

Risk of Groundwater Contamination by Domestic Wastewater in Rural Areas of the Province of Al Hoceima, Northern Morocco

Kamari Salim, El Ouarghi Hossain, Ghalit Mohammad, Makan Abdelhadi, Bourjila Abdelhak

Ecological Engineering & Environmental Technology

|

2023

|

Vol. 24, iss. 9

104--120

EN

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.

4

An Estimation of Soil Erosion Rate Hot Spots by Integrated USLE and GIS Methods: a Case Study of the Ghiss Dam and Basin in Northeastern Morocco

Taher Morad, Mourabit Touafik, Bourjila Abdelhak, Saadi Omar, Errahmouni Ali, El Marzkioui Fouad, El Mousaoui Mhamed

Geomatics and Environmental Engineering

|

2022

|

Vol. 16, no. 2

95--110

EN

Soil erosion is a major factor leading to dams’ siltation and reducing their storage capacity. This study mapped the hot spots of soil erosion areas to predict the soil erosion/siltation in the Ghiss basin/dam (northeastern Morocco). In this context, various data has been prepared in the geographical information system for the estimation of soil erosion by integrating the universal soil loss equation (USLE). The result of this study revealed that soil loss rate ranges between 0 and 19 t∙ha−1∙yr−1. Therefore, the hot spots in the soil erosion area are to be found upstream, potentially leading to dam siltation over time. To avoid Ghiss dam siltation, we suggest terrace farming and reforestation in the soil erosion area hot spots.

5

The Risk Mapping of Coastal Flooding Areas Due to Tsunami Wave Run-Up Using DAS Model and its Impact on Nekor Bay (Morocco)

Taher Morad, Mourabit Touafik, El Talibi Hajar, Etebaai Issam, Bourjila Abdelhak, Errahmouni Ali, Lamgharbaj Mastapha

Ecological Engineering & Environmental Technology

|

2022

|

Vol. 23, iss. 4

136--148

EN

The Al-Hoceima region is threatened by tsunami hazard because of its location in the coastal area of the Mediterranean Sea, besides the shallow seismically active region south of the Alboran Sea. Therefore, the current study presents a novel model to map coastal flooding potential zones due to tsunami wave run-up in Nekor bay using three natural parameters (distance from coastline, altitude and slope) in a geographic information system (GIS) environment. Furthermore, the coastal flooding simulation using 4 scénarios (1, 2, 3, 4m) based on the run-up elevation according to tsunami wave elevation (TWE) literature of the study area is used to confirm the DAS model result, and to estimate the potential impacts. The result of the DAS model revealed that 1 km from the coast to the Nekor plain is the most exposed to the impact of tsunamis generated south of the Alboran Sea. The coastal flooding simulation confirmed the DAS result, and the damage estimation of the urban area and the agriculture was respectively 2 and 98% for run-up 1 m, 3% and 97% for run-up 2m, 4% and 96% for run-up 3m, and for the worst case scenario of 4 m was 3% and 97%. Therefore, the results obtained show that the major potential impact of coastal flooding in Nekor plain is the salinization of agricultural land. Finally, we propose a sustainable solution utilizing a controlled forest along the coast to reduce future tsunami impacts on Nekor bay.

6

Detection and Mapping of Shipwrecks in Al-Hoceima Coastal Using Remote Sensing

Taher Morad, Mourabit Touafik, Etebaai Issam, Bourjila Abdelhak, Errahmouni Ali, Lamgharbaj Mustapha

Ecological Engineering & Environmental Technology

|

2022

|

Vol. 23, iss. 5

218--223

EN

On the Mediterranean coast of Morocco, many military ships were sunk in the Al-Hoceima region during Rif war between Spanish army and the local Riffians. The aim of this study is to detect and to map shipwrecks embedded in sea-floor sediments in Al-Hoceima coastal. It has been carried out using free satellite radar image and the open-source software Sentinel Application Platform. The result of this study shows five possible locations of shipwrecks in the study area, two of them were confirmed by data shipwrecks of the Spanish hydrographic institute.