Hydrogeology and groundwater modeling of the Boudenibsenonian aquifer (Southeastern Morocco)

Résumé

The region of Boudenib, located in the Guir basin, in the south-eastern Morocco contains, in terms of agricultural land, significant hydraulic potential and water resources. These resources make it possible to develop collective lands, in the form of palm groves.TheGuir basin contains two main aquifers: the alluvial Plio-Quaternary (unconfined aquifer) and the sandstone Senonian (confined aquifer). The latter isconsidered to be the largestaquifer in arid zones located in southeasternMorocco. Nevertheless, it is confronted with major natural and anthropogenic pressures.Due to its good hydrodynamic characteristics and its accessibility, the Senonian aquifer is of particular interest for its exploitation in the form of pumping wells. Manyboreholes have testedthisaquifer at varyingdepths. The Senonian aquifer shows a variable lithology, consisting of fine sands and red clays more or less sandy or gypseous, usually interspersed with sandstone banks with depths generally ranging from 10 to 70 m.The hydrodynamic modeling of the Senonian aquifer was carried out in order to follow the responses of this aquifer with respect to the pumping wells scenarios for irrigation of palm groves.The goal is to have elements of decision-making support for the monitoring and accompaniment of agricultural investments in the region of Boudenib.