Laboratory of Spectroscopy, Molecular Modeling, Materials, Nanomaterials, Water, and Environment, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, BP 1014, Rabat-Morocco
1National Institute of Agricultural Research (INRA), Regional Center of Rabat, Avenue Mohamed Belarbi Alaoui B.P 6356, Morocco
2Laboratory of Biology, Mycology and Environment, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, BP 1014, Rabat-Morocco
This work deals with groundwater quality under the effect of aridity. The case study is the region surrounding a sabkha named Sed Masjoun, located in the province of Kalâat des Sraghna, central Morocco. For this purpose, 67 hung-dug and borehole wells were investigated in the dry seasons in summer. Water samples were analyzed for chemical characteristics such as electrical conductivity, sodium absorption ratio, and sodium percentage. The results were also exploited using statistical analyses, hydrochemical diagrams, distribution maps and chemical indexes. The groundwater was severely affected by salinity but minorly by sodicity. The widespread salt was halite. The suitability of water for irrigation was also evaluated through several indexes. It follows that groundwaters are hard in nature, and have high sodium hazard, but no permeability problem was recorded. The concentration of nitrate and chloride were above the acceptable limit for irrigation in most wells, as shown by the dataset and the distribution map. In such a situation, any strategy promoting best management practices of irrigation and soil management, is highly encouraged to ensure sustainable use of these resources in the context of the severe aridity in Sed Masjoun area.
Groundwater, Sed Masjoun, Quality, Salinity, Assessment
