Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Temporal and Spatial Dynamic of Soil Erosion and Suspended Sediment Concentration in the Upstream Part of Oum Err Bia River (Middle Atlas/Morocco)

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Sustainable and Green Technologies for Water and Environmental Management

Part of the book series: World Sustainability Series ((WSUSE))

  • 24 Accesses

Abstract

Soil erosion is one of a major environmental issue in many regions of the world, especially in the Mediterranean areas. Due to their climate aggressivity and soil fragility, majority of Mediterranean countries are affected by water erosion. With its localization in the Middle Atlas of Morocco, the upstream part of Oum Err Bia basin is one of the influenced areas by soil erosion. This part of Morocco characterized by steep slopes and weak rocks which make soils vulnerable to water erosion. The purpose of this study is to quantify soil erodibility by applying Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE(, and validate it in the four selected catchments (Tamadout, Faraoun, Almou and Ait Addi catchments). Besides, 32 bottles of samples were collected in the outlet of representative catchments so as to estimate the concentration of sediment. As a result, the obtained annual soil loss average was 145 75 t ha−1 yr−1. However, the concentration of sediment ranged from 0.2 to 234.5 g/l−1. The results confirmed that different factors affect and control the soil loss like intense rainfall events, land uses type, lithology and human activities.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Angima SD, Stott DE, O’Neill MK, Ong CK, Weesies GA (2003) Soil erosion prediction using RUSLE for central Kenyan highland conditions. Agric Ecosyst Environ 97(1–3):295–308. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0167-8809(03)00011-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barakat A, Ouargaf Z, Khellouk R, El Jazouli A, Touhami F (2019) Land use/land cover change and environmental impact assessment in Béni-Mellal district (Morocco) using remote sensing and GIS. Earth Syst Environ 3(1):113–125. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41748-019-00088-y

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Benchettouh A, Kouri L, Jebari S (2017) Spatial estimation of soil erosion risk using RUSLE/GIS techniques and practices conservation suggested for reducing soil erosion in Wadi Mina watershed (northwest, Algeria). Arab J Geosci 10(4). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-017-2875-6

  • Benmansour M et al (2013) Assessment of soil erosion and deposition rates in a Moroccan agricultural field using fallout 137Cs and 210Pbex. J Environ Radioact 115:97–106. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvrad.2012.07.013

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Beskow S, Mello CR, Norton LD, Curi N, Viola MR, Avanzi JC (2009) Soil erosion prediction in the Grande River Basin, Brazil using distributed modeling. CATENA 79(1):49–59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2009.05.010

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Borges N, Estrany J, Garcia C, Batalla RJ (2008) Groundwater control on the suspended sediment load in the Na Borges River, Mallorca, Spain. Geomorphology 106:292–303. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2008.11.008

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boudhar A, Ouatiki H, Bouamri H, Lebrini Y, Karaoui I, Hssaisoune M, Arioua A, Benabdelouahab T (2020) Hydrological response to snow cover changes using remote sensing over the oum er rbia upstream basin, morocco. In: Advances in science, technology and innovation. Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-21166-0_9

  • Brahim B, Meshram SG, Abdallah D, Larbi B, Drisss S, Khalid M, Khedher KM (2020) Mapping of soil sensitivity to water erosion by RUSLE model: case of the Inaouene watershed (Northeast Morocco). Arab J Geosci 13:1–15

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Briak H, Moussadek R, Aboumaria K, Mrabet R (2016) Assessing sediment yield in Kalaya gauged watershed (Northern Morocco) using GIS and SWAT model. Int Soil Water Conserv Res 4(3):177–185. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iswcr.2016.08.002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Demirci A, Karaburun A (2012) Estimation of soil erosion using RUSLE in a GIS framework: a case study in the Buyukcekmece Lake watershed, northwest Turkey. Environ Earth Sci 66(3):903–913. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-011-1300-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ebrahimzadeh S, Motagh M, Mahboub V, Mirdar Harijani F (2018) An improved RUSLE/SDR model for the evaluation of soil erosion. Environ Earth Sci 77(12). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-018-7635-8

  • El Jazouli A, Barakat A, Khellouk R, Rais J, El Baghdadi M (2019) Remote sensing and GIS techniques for prediction of land use land cover change effects on soil erosion in the high basin of the Oum Er Rbia River (Morocco). Remote Sens Appl Soc Environ 13:361–374. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rsase.2018.12.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ennaji N, Ouakhir H, Halouan S, Abahrour M (2022a) Assessment of soil erosion rate using the EPM model: case of Ouaoumana basin, Middle Atlas, Morocco. IOP Conf Ser Earth Environ Sci 1090(1). https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1090/1/012004

  • Ennaji E, Ouakhir H, Halouan H, Abahrour M (2022b) sediment transport index modelling using the GIS at small agricultural catchment, pp 16–20

    Google Scholar 

  • Estrany J, Grimalt M (2014) Catchment controls and human disturbances on the geomorphology of small Mediterranean estuarine systems. Estuar Coast Shelf Sci 150(PB):230–241. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2014.03.021

  • Fortesa J, Latron J, García-Comendador J, Company J, Estrany J (2020) Runoff and soil moisture as driving factors in suspended sediment transport of a small mid-mountain Mediterranean catchment. Geomorphology 368:107349. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.GEOMORPH.2020.107349

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Foster GR, Toy TE, Renard KG (2003) Comparison of the USLE, RUSLE1.06c, and RUSLE2 for application to highly disturbed lands. First Interag Conf Res Watersheds 27(30):154–160. http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.462.6311&rep=rep1&type=pdf

  • Fu BJ, Zhao WW, Chen LD, Zhang QJ, Lü YH, Gulinck H, Poesen J (2000) Assessment of soil erosion at large watershed scale using RUSLE and GIS: a case study in the Loess Plateau of China’. Land Degrad Dev 16(1):73–85. https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.646

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goumih M, El Ghachi M, Ouakhir H, Ennaji N, Midaoui A (2022) Hydrological response of the Assif Melloul basin in the Central High Atlas (Morocco): monitoring and creating a rating curve. IOP Conf Ser Earth Environ Sci 1090(1). https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1090/1/012003

  • Ibno Namr K, Mrabet R (2004) Influence of agricultural management on chemical quality of a clay soil of semi-arid Morocco. J Afr Earth Sci 39(3–5):485–489. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2004.07.016

  • El Jazouli A, Barakat A, Ghafiri A, El Moutaki S, Ettaqy A, Khellouk R (2019) Soil erosion modeled with USLE, GIS, and remote sensing: a case study of Ikkour watershed in Middle Atlas (Morocco). Geosci Lett 4(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40562-017-0091-6

  • Kouli M, Soupios P, Vallianatos F (2009) Soil erosion prediction using the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) in a GIS framework, Chania, Northwestern Crete, Greece. Environ Geol 57(3):483–497. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-008-1318-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mati BM, Morgan RPC, Gichuki FN, Quinton JN, Brewer TR, Liniger HP (2000) Assessment of erosion hazard with the USLE and GIS: a case study of the Upper Ewaso Ng’iro North basin of Kenya. ITC J 2(2):78–86. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0303-2434(00)85002-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mosaid H, Barakat A, Bustillo V, Rais J (2022) Modeling and mapping of soil water erosion risks in the Srou Basin (Middle Atlas, Morocco) using the EPM model, GIS and magnetic susceptibility. J Landsc Ecol Republic 15(1):126–147. https://doi.org/10.2478/jlecol-2022-0007

  • Nadal-Romero E, Lasanta T, García-Ruiz JM (2013) Runoff and sediment yield from land under various uses in a Mediterranean mountain area: Long-term results from an experimental station. Earth Surf Process Landforms 38(4):346–355. https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.3281

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ouakhir H, El Ghachi M (2023) Temporal dynamic of soil erosion and rainfall erosivity within Srou River Basin (Middle Atlas/Morocco). Am J Mech Appl 11(1):1–5. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajma.20231101.11

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ouakhir H, El Ghachi M, Goumih M, Ennaji N (2020) Fluvial dynamic in Oued El Abid Basin: monitoring and quantification at an upstream river section in Bin El Ouidane Dam—2016/2017—(Central High Atlas/Morocco). https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajma.20200804.11

  • Ouakhir H, Ennaji N, Goumih M, Chakir M, Ghadbane O, Lahlou N, Nafia K, Ouzanni H, El Ghachi M (2022) Estimation of soil erosion rate applying the RUSLE model within the El Abid river basin. Central High Atlas , Morocco

    Google Scholar 

  • Ouakhir H, El Ghachi M, Ennaji N, Goumih M (2023) River response to fluvial dynamic in a meandering within the downstream part of el abid river basin (Central High Atlas/, no January, 2023)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ouallali A, Briak H, Aassoumi H, Beroho M, Bouhsane N, Moukhchane M (2020) Hydrological foretelling uncertainty evaluation of water balance components and sediments yield using a multi-variable optimization approach in an external Rif’s catchment. Morocco. Alexandria Eng J 59(2):775–789. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aej.2020.02.017

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ouatiki H, Boudhar A, Tramblay Y, Jarlan L, Benabdelouhab T, Hanich L, El Meslouhi M, Rachid Chehbouni A (2017) Evaluation of TRMM 3B42 V7 rainfall product over the Oum Er Rbia watershed in Morocco. Climate 5(1):1–17. https://doi.org/10.3390/cli5010001

  • Peter KD, d’Oleire-Oltmanns S, Ries JB, Marzolff I, Ait Hssaine A (2014) Soil erosion in gully catchments affected by land-levelling measures in the Souss Basin, Morocco, analysed by rainfall simulation and UAV remote sensing data. Catena 113:24–40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2013.09.004

  • Rapp A, Axelsson V, Berry L, Murray-Rust DH (1972) Soil erosion and sediment transport in the Morogoro river catchment, Tanzania. Geogr Ann Ser A Phys Geogr 54(3–4):125–155. https://doi.org/10.1080/04353676.1972.11879863

  • Renard KG, Foster GR, Weesies GA, Mccool DK, Yoder DC (2000) <CAT10827029PDF.pdf>

    Google Scholar 

  • Sadiki A, Faleh A, Navas A, Bouhlassa S (2007) Assessing soil erosion and control factors by the radiometric technique in the Boussouab catchment, Eastern Rif, Morocco. CATENA 71(1):13–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2006.10.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sun W, Shao Q, Liu J, Zhai J (2014) Assessing the effects of land use and topography on soil erosion on the Loess Plateau in China. CATENA 121:151–163. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2014.05.009

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wiley J, Estrany J, Garcia C, Batalla RJ (2009) Suspended sediment transport in a small Mediterranean agricultural catchment Suspended sediment transport. Earth Surf Process Landforms 34:197–9337. https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.1777

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xu YQ, Shao XM, Bin Kong X, Jian P, Cai YL (2008) Adapting the RUSLE and GIS to model soil erosion risk in a mountains karst watershed, Guizhou Province, China. Environ Monit Assess 141(1–3):275–286. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-007-9894-9

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Taza, Morocco

    Halouan Said, Ennaji Nadia & Abahrour Mohamed

  2. Sultan Moulay Slimane University, Beni Mellal, Morocco

    Ouakhir Hasan

Authors
  1. Halouan Said
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ennaji Nadia
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Ouakhir Hasan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Abahrour Mohamed
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Halouan Said .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, Moulay Ismail University of Meknes, Errachidia, Morocco

    Mourade Azrour

  2. Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco

    Jamal Mabrouki

  3. Technology Higher School Essaouira, Cadi Ayyad University, Ghazoua, Morocco

    Azidine Guezzaz

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2024 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Said, H., Nadia, E., Hasan, O., Mohamed, A. (2024). The Temporal and Spatial Dynamic of Soil Erosion and Suspended Sediment Concentration in the Upstream Part of Oum Err Bia River (Middle Atlas/Morocco). In: Azrour, M., Mabrouki, J., Guezzaz, A. (eds) Sustainable and Green Technologies for Water and Environmental Management. World Sustainability Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-52419-6_8

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation