[MedPartnership] Identification of the effects of human pressure on groundwater quality to support water management strategies in coastal regions: a multi-tracer hydrogeochemical approach in the region of Nador (Morocco)
Groundwater pollution from anthropogenic sources is a serious concern affecting several coastal aquifers in the Mediterranean Basin. In this region adequate science-based management strategies to protect groundwater from contamination and overexploitation are of paramount importance. In particular special attention has to be paid to coastal aquifers in arid and semi-arid regions, often representing the main freshwater resource to sustain human needs, as in the case of the Bou-Areg Aquifer (Nador Region, Morocco). A complete assessment of human impacts on groundwater quality determined that the BouAreg aquifer is characterized by a high natural salinity, increased by the effects of agricultural activities through irrigation return flows. The coupled multi-tracer and statistical analysis confirmed the strong dependency on irrigation activities and favoured the identification of the processes governing the aquifer’s hydrochemistry in the different seasons. This study represents a reproducible example of the application of hydrogeochemistry as a tool for groundwater management in rural coastal areas.
[MedPartnership] Identification of the effects of human pressure on groundwater quality to support water management strategies in coastal regions: a multi-tracer hydrogeochemical approach in the region of Nador (Morocco).pdf
