Hydrochemical assessment of groundwater in the Kert aquifer using a GIS application: an overview of the control factors for fluoride, arsenic and silica enrichment

¹ Laboratory OLMAN-BPGE, Multidisciplinary Faculty of Nador, Mohamed First University – Oujda, 62700 Nador, Morroco,.
² Laboratory of Water and Environmental Management Unit, National School of Applied Sciences Al Hoceima, Abdelmalek Essaadi University- Tangier, 32003 Al Houceima, Morroco.
³ Research team: Biology, Environment and Health, Department of Biology, Errachidia Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Moulay Ismaïl, 50000 Meknes, Morocco
⁴ Geoengineering and Environment Laboratory, Research Group “Water Sciences and Environment Engineering”, Geology Department, Faculty of Sciences, Moulay Ismail University, Presidency, Marjane 2, Meknes BP 298, Morocco
⁵ Hydrology and Hydraulic Engineering Department, Vrije Universiteit Brussels (VUB), 1050 Brussels, Belgium

^* Corresponding author: hichamgueddari92@gmail.com

Abstract

Our study was based on using a freshwater aquatic species to assess the short-and long-term toxicity of an organophosphate insecticide commonly adopted by the Moroccan agriculture sector. Recently, groundwater pollution has emerged as one of the most severe environmental challenges, with a particular emphasis on levels of heavy metal pollution. Conservation efforts and efficient management of groundwater resources are required to determine the full scope of this damage. The current research answers the physical-chemical evaluation of the middle Kert basin’s water quality (Mediterranean area, Driouch province, Eastern Morocco) by collecting 42 samples and measuring pH, TDS that vary between 451 and 5841 mg/l, and EC that range from 0.72 to 9.41mS/cm² according to ISO 5665. The samples were analyzed by ICP-MS and flame atomic absorption spectrometry to detect fluoride and arsenic content. Whose fluoride in the survey area varied from 0.01 mg/l to 2.85 mg/l. The hydro-chemical classification resulting from the Geographic Information System (GIS) statistical data analysis was used to interpret the analytical data on the phenomena responsible for the mineralization. This quantity is considerably higher than the maximum allowable level of 1.5 mg/L, which is the regulation for drinking water in Morocco. It indicates that both natural and artificial factors have contributed to the effects. Most stations have a fluoride concentration in the water, which can be used to identify them. It is a significant amount less than the values that would be ideal; just four wells have concentrations higher than the values that are legally allowed to be. The fluoride levels in the region’s water sources directly result from the natural elements that make up this particular geographic location.The same happened for arsenic, which exceeded 0.1 mg/l in just two samples.