Deterioration of groundwater quality in the Triffa plain (eastern Morocco): Issues and solutions

¹ Laboratory for Improvement of Agricultural Production, Biotechnology and Environment (LAPABE), Faculty of Science, Mohamed Premier University, PB 717 60000, BV M6, Oujda, Morocco.
² Sultan Moulay Slimane University of Beni Mellal, Multidisciplinary Research & Innovation Laboratory / Natural Resource Engineering and Environmental Impacts Team, Polydisciplinary Faculty of Khouribga, BP 145, Khouribga, Morocco
³ Biotechnology, Environmental Technology and Valorization of Bio-resources team, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology Al-Hoceima, Abdelmalek Essaâdi University, Morocco
⁴ Higher Institute of Nursing Professions and Health Techniques (ISPITSO), Oujda, Morocco

^* Corresponding author: karima.alaoui2@gmail.com

Abstract

The Triffa plain, located in eastern Morocco, is the region's largest productive area in terms of agriculture. Intensive farming practices such as the overexploitation of water resources and the massive and arbitrary application of fertilisers and pesticides had a negative impact on the region's flora and fauna, and have considerably degraded the environment, particularly the groundwater. 30 wells were prospected from February to August 2018, belonging to three zones of the plain in terms of level of agriculture: High Productivity Zone, Medium Productivity Zone and Control Zone at three different depths: 0-10 m; 10-30 m; 30-50 m. by measuring the concentration of Salinity (Chloride and Sodium); Nitrates (NO −) and Organochlorine Pesticides, in particular DDT. The concentration of pollutants differed according to the zone and horizons studied. The concentration of chloride ranged from 190 to 355 mg/L, respectively in the control zone at a depth of 30-50m and the high productivity zone at a depth of 0-10m. As for Sodium the concentration is between 93 and 255 mg/L respectively in the control zone at 10-30m and the high productivity zone at 0-10m. For Nitrates the concentration is 33 mg/L in the control zone at 0-10 m and 63 mg/L in the high productivity zone at a depth of 0-10m. In addition, the concentration of organochlorine pesticides (DDT in µg/L) is low, non-detectable and below the WHO standard. However, the presence of these organochlorines, even in very small quantities, endangers human health and the environment. The aim of this study is to understand the main causes of groundwater pollution, its harmful effects on human health and wildlife, and to propose sustainable solutions to protect the environment.