Comparative Study of Groundwater Pollution of M’nasra and Sfafaa zones (Gharb, Morocco) by Nitrates

Abstract

The quality of water resources in Morocco is degraded by pollution from agriculture, industry and urbanization. In this work we have realized a comparative study of two groundwater pollution zones: M’nasra (Kenitra) and Sfafaa (Sidi Slimane). In general, the results of this study showed that most water wells are strongly mineralized as the conductivity far exceeds the standard of drinking water. Sodium chloride (NaCl) concentration is between 33.9 and 1184.6 mg / l and shows some of the wells are loaded with salts. The pH is generally basic in all wells. Pollution by nitrates two regions showed that the ground water is strongly affected M’nasra zone terms of the permeability of the soil of the city. The concentration of nitrate can reach high values compared to the results obtained on the ground water at Sfafaa zone whose nitrate concentrations around 20 mg/l. Further pollution of groundwater in the two regions of the shows values of organic matters that go far beyond the standards of drinking.

Assessment of Groundwater Quality Using the Pollution Index of Groundwater (PIG), Nitrate Pollution Index (NPI), Water Quality Index (WQI), Multivariate Statistical Analysis (MSA), and GIS Approaches: A Case Study of the Mnasra Region, Gharb Plain, Morocco

“…In agricultural regions with sandy soils, the capacity to retain such elements is generally low, thereby allowing nitrate ions to easily percolate into groundwater through rainfall or irrigation. However, inadequate irrigation management can exacerbate water misuse and lead to adverse environmental impacts, including nitrate pollution and eutrophication [70,71]. Numerous studies conducted in the Mnasra region consistently report elevated levels of nitrates [13,15,16].…”