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Hydrochemical characteristics of aquifers from the coastal zone of the Essaouira basin (Morocco) and their suitability for domestic and agricultural uses

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Abstract

Groundwater hydrochemical of coastal aquifers (Plio-Quaternary, Turonian, and Hauterivian) of Essaouira basin, Morocco, was used to evaluate the groundwater quality for drinking and irrigation uses as well as to determine the processes controlling its mineralization. In this semi-arid coastal zone, The rock-water interaction (dissolution of evaporite and carbonate minerals) evaporation, reverse cations exchange, and seawater intrusion are the main processes responsible for the mineralization of groundwater and their facies. Water Quality Index (WQI), and sodium percent (%Na), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), permeability index (PI), and Kelly index (KI) ratios were applied to assess the groundwater for drinking and irrigation uses. WQI shows that the groundwater is generally of poor quality and not suitable for direct usage and requires treatment before domestic use. Based on %Na, SAR, PI, and KI, the groundwater remains adequate for agricultural purposes. However, an attention should be accorded to groundwater salinization processes. The approach followed as well as the results of this paper remain valid for better and sustainable management of the vital resource within the Essaouira basin and similar basins.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to Dr. James W LaMoreaux Editor-in-Chief of Sustainable Water Resources Management Journal, and the anonymous reviewers. The authors would also like to thank Aziz Soulaimani, the technical manager of Water, Soil, and Plant Analysis Laboratory at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University of Benguerir from Morocco.

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This research did not receive any specific funding.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Applied Sciences Laboratory, Water and Environment Management Team, National School of Applied Sciences, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, 32002, Al Hoceima, Morocco

    Salah Ouhamdouch

  2. High Energy and Astrophysics Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, P.O.B. 2390, 40000, Marrakesh, Morocco

    Salah Ouhamdouch & Mohammed Bahir

  3. IWRI, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Hay My Rachid, 43150, Ben Guerir, Morocco

    Mohammed Bahir & Abdellatif Rafik

  4. Mohammadia School of Engineering, Mohamed V University, 10090, Rabat, Morocco

    Driss Ouazar

Authors
  1. Salah Ouhamdouch
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  2. Mohammed Bahir
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  3. Driss Ouazar
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  4. Abdellatif Rafik
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Correspondence to Salah Ouhamdouch.

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Ouhamdouch, S., Bahir, M., Ouazar, D. et al. Hydrochemical characteristics of aquifers from the coastal zone of the Essaouira basin (Morocco) and their suitability for domestic and agricultural uses. Sustain. Water Resour. Manag. 8, 171 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40899-022-00754-6

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