Global assessment of water quality and groundwater nitrate contamination in the region of Souss-Massa, Morocco A comprehensive review
Global assessment of water quality
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.34874/IMIST.PRSM/fseijournal-v13i1.52961Keywords:
Souss-Massa aquifer, surface water, groundwater, quality, nitrateAbstract
Degradation affects many aquifers, impacting both their quantity and quality. Nitrate is the most prevalent groundwater pollutant because it dissolves easily in water and is difficult to fix in soil. This review aims to assess previous research on water quality in the Souss-Massa region (groundwater and surface water), highlight the degree of nitrate pollution recorded in this aquifer, and determine the origins of this contamination.
Overall, all dams of the Souss-Massa aquifer showed excellent to good water quality in 2018. In contrast, the rivers indicated a decline in quality during the same year, except at the Aoulouz point, where dissolved oxygen content—reaching up to 4.5 mg/L—was responsible for this degradation. On the other hand, during the 2018-2020 campaign, the Souss aquifer and Chtouka aquifer showed moderate to bad quality due to nitrate concentrations and high mineralization. According to the boxplot diagram of statistical parameters of NO₃⁻ concentration and Nitrate Pollution Index (NPI) collected from previous studies, nitrate pollution recorded in this aquifer occurs in just some wells and not the entire aquifer, and this contamination is basically due to different origins like agricultural fertilizers, domestic wastewater, and manure.
References
Abahous, H., Sifeddine, A., Bouchaou, L. et al. (2018). Inter-annual variability of precipitation in the Souss Massa region and linkage of the North Atlantic Oscillation. J. Mater. Environ. Sci., 9, 2023-2031.
Abascal, E., Gómez-Coma, L., Ortiz, I. & Ortiz, A. (2022). Global diagnosis of nitrate pollution in groundwater and review of removal technologies. Sci. Total Environ. 152233 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152233.
Ahkouk, S., Hsissou, Y., Bouchaou, L., Krimissa, M. & Mania, J., (2003). Impact des fertilisants agricoles et du mode d'irrigation sur la qualité des eaux souterraines (cas de la nappe libre des Chtouka, bassin du Souss-Massa, Maroc). Afr. Geosci. Rev. 9, 355–364.
Ahkouk, S. (2004). Impact des fertilisants agricoles et du mode d'irrigation sur la qualité des eaux souterraines en zones irriiguées sous climat semi-aride : cas de la plaine des Chtouka, bassin du Souss-Massa, Maroc. Thèse de Doctorat en Sciences, Université Ibn Zohr, Agadir.
Ait Brahim, Y., Saidi, M.E.M., Kouraiss, K., Sifeddine, A., Bouchaou, L. (2017a). Analysis of observed climate trends and high-resolution scenarios for the 21st century in Morocco. J. Mater. Environ. Sci. 8, 1375–1384.
Ait Brahim, Y., Seif-Ennasr, M., Malki, M., et al. (2017b). Assessment of Climate and Land Use Changes: Impacts on Groundwater Resources in the Souss-Massa River Basin. https://doi.org/10.1007/698_2016_71.
Ait Brahim, Y., Bouchaou, L., Sifeddine, A., Beraaouz, E.H., Wanaim, A. & Cheng, H. (2019). Hydroclimate characteristics of the karst system of Wintimdouine cave (Western High Atlas, Morocco): monitoring and implications for paleoclimate research. Envir. Earth Sci., 78 :508. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-019-8496-5.
Al Yacoubi, L., Bouchaou, L., Jaillard, E., et al. (2017). Impact of rock-water interactions and recharge on water resources quality of the Agadir-Essaouira basin, southwestern Morocco. Arab J Geosci (2017) 10 : 169. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-017-2968-2.
Ambroggi, R. (1963). Étude géologique du versant méridional du Haut Atlas Occidental et de la plaine du Souss. Notes et Mémoires du service géologique du Maroc, 16, (143) : 7–16.
Aranibar, J.N., Villagra, P.E., Gomez, M.L. et al. (2011). Nitrate dynamics in the soil and unconfined aquifer in arid groundwater coupled ecosystems in the Monte desert, Argentina. J. Geophys. Res. 116, G0415.
Ascott, M.J., Gooddy, D.C., Wang, L. et al. (2017). Global patterns of nitrate storage in the vadose zone. Nat. Commun. 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-017-01321-w.
Attar, O., Brouziyne, Y., Bouchaou, L., El Bilali, A., Ait Brahim, Y. & Chehbouni, A. (2024). Understanding the trade-offs between climate change-induced aridity and agricultural water demand in the Souss basin, Morocco. Front. Water 6:1270078. https://doi.org/10.3389/frwa.2024.1270078.
Bennani, O., Ait Brahim, Y., Saidi, M.E.M. & Fniguire, F. (2016). Variability of surface water resources and extreme flows under climate change conditions in arid and Mediterranean area: Case of Tensift watershed, Morocco. J. Bio. & Environ. Sci. 9, 165-174.
Bichara, S. & Louvat, D. (1991). Etude de plusieurs aquifères au Maroc à l'aide des isotopes du milieu. Revue Eau et Développement, No. 11, VII Congrès Mondial des Ressources en Eau, Rabat.
Bouchaou, L., Michelot, J.L., Vengosh, A., et al. (2008). Application of multiple isotopic and geochemical tracers for investigation of recharge , salinization , and residence time of water in the Souss–Massa aquifer , southwest of Morocco. J. Hydrol. 352 267–287. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2008.01.022.
Bouchaou, L., Tagma, T., Boutaleb, S., Hssaisoune, M. & El Morjani, Z.E.A. (2011). Climate change and its impacts on groundwater resources in Morocco : The case of the Souss-Massa basin. In book: Climate Change Effetcs On Groundwater Ressources, Chapter 8, IAH/Taylor & Francis Eds.
Boutaleb, S., Bouchaou, L., Mudry, J., Hsissou, Y., Mania, J., Chauve, P. (2000). Hydrogeologic effects on the quality of water in the Oued Issen watershed , western Upper Atlas Mountains , Morocco. Hydrogeol. J. 230–238.
Boutaleb, S., Bouchaou, L., Hsissou, Y. & Tagma, T. (2008). Détermination des modalités de recharge des aquifères par le biais des traceurs chimiques et isotopiques. Cas de la zone de contact Haut Atlas occidental, Plaine du Souss (SW du Maroc). Estudios Geol., Vol. 64, n.º 1, 000-000, enero-junio 2008. ISSN: 0367-0449.
Burkart, M.R. & Stoner, J.D. (2008). Nitrogen in Groundwater Associated with Agricultural Systems. Nitrogen in the Environment: Sources, Problems, and Management, 2nd ed. 177–202.
Burri, N., Weatherl, R., Moeck, C. & Schirmer M. (2019). A review of threats to groundwater quality in the anthropocene. Sci. Total Environ. 136–154. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.05.236.
Busico, G., Alessandrino, L. & Mastrocicco, M. (2021). Denitrification in Intrinsic and Specific Groundwater Vulnerability Assessment : A Review. Appl.Sci. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3390/app112210657.
Choukr-Allah, R., Ragab, R., Bouchaou, L. & Barceló, D. (2016). The Souss-Massa River Basin, Morocco. The Handbook of Environ. Chemistry 53.
Combe, M. & El Hebil, A. (1977). Vallée du Souss, in Ressources en eau du Maroc, tome 3. Domaines atlasique et sud atlasique. Notes et Mémoires du Service géologique, Maroc, 231 : 169-201.
Danni, S.O., Bouchaou, L., Elmouden, A., N’da, B., Ait Brahim, Y. & Malki, M. (2018). Isotopic and Chemical Tracers for the Sustainable Management of Water Resources in Semi-arid Area: Case of Massa Catchment, Morocco. Environ. Earth Sci. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-69356-9_30.
Danni, S.O., Bouchaou, L., Elmouden, A., Ait Brahim, Y. & N’da, B. (2019). Assessment of water quality and nitrate source in the Massa catchment ( Morocco ) using δ 15 N and δ 18 O tracers. Appl. Radiat. Isot. 154, 108859. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apradiso.2019.108859.
Dijon, R. (1969). Étude hydrogéologique et inventaire des ressources en eau dans la vallée du Souss. Notes et Mémoires Service Géologique, Maroc, N°214, 299 p.
Dindane, K., Bouchaou, L., Hsissou, Y. & Krimissa, M. (2003). Hydrochemical and isotopic characteristics of groundwater in the Souss Upstream Basin , southwestern Morocco. J. African Earth Sci. 36, 315–327. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0899-5362(03)00050-2.
Doubi, M., Darif, H., Koulou, A. & Touir, R. (2022). Evaluation of Souss-Massa Daraa Region Irrigation Groundwater Hydrogeochemical Characteristics and Quality : A Multivariate Statistical Approach. Port. Electrochim. 40, 425–440. https://doi.org/10.4152/pea.2022400603.
Elame, F., Lionboui, H. & Doukkali, R. (2021). The Combined Impact of Climate Change and the Use of Solar Energy on the Water Consumption in Agriculture: A Case Study from Souss Massa Region. Chapters 11 in springer nature switzerland AG. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-72987-5_11.
El Bouazzaoui, I., Ait Brahim, Y., El Khalki, E.M., Najmi, A. & Bougadir, B. (2022). A Summary Analysis of Groundwater Vulnerability to Climate Variability and Anthropic Activities in the Haouz Region, Morocco. Sustainability, 14, 14865. https://doi.org/10.3390/su142214865.
El Bouazzaoui, I., Lamhour, O., Ait Brahim, Y., Najmi, A. & Bougadir, B. (2024). Three Decades of Groundwater Drought Research: Evolution and Trends. Water 2024, 16, 743. https://doi.org/10.3390/w16050743.
Ez-zaouy, Y., Bouchaou, L., Saad, A., et al. (2022). Morocco’s coastal aquifers: recent observations, evolution and perspectives towards sustainability. Environ. Pollut. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. envpol.2021.118498.
Ez-zaouy, Y., Bouchaou, L., Schreiber, H., et al. (2023). Groundwater for sustainable development combined geophysical methods to investigate seawater intrusion in the Souss-Massa coastal area, Morocco. Groundw. Sustain. Dev. 21, 100915. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gsd.2023.100915.
Gleeson, T., Wada, Y., Bierkens, M.F. & Van Beek, L.P. (2012). Water Balance of Global Aquifers Revealed by Groundwater Footprint. Letter, 488, 197–200. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature11295.
Gorelick, S.M. & Zheng, C. (2015). Global change and the groundwater management challenge: Groundwater Management Challenge. Water Resour. Res. https://doi.org/10.1002/2014WR016825.
Guemouria, A., Chehbouni, A., Belaqziz, S., et al. (2023). System Dynamics Approach for Water Resources Management: A Case Study from the Souss-Massa Basin. Water, 15, 1506. https://doi.org/10.3390/ w15081506.
Gutiérrez, M., Biagioni, R.N., Alarcón-Herrera, M.T. & Rivas-Lucero, B.A. (2018). An overview of nitrate sources and operating processes in arid and semiarid aquifer systems. Sci. Total Environ. 624, 1513-1522. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.12.252.
Haller, L., McCarthy, P., O'Brien, T., Riehle & J., Stuhldreher, T. (2013). Nitrate pollution of groundwater. 2014: Alpha Water Systems INC.
Hsissou, Y., Mudry, J., Mania, J., Bouchaou, L. & Chauve, P. (1997). Dynamique de la salinité de la nappe côtière d’Agadir (Maroc), influence du biseau salé et des faciès évaporitiques. Hydrochemistry, Proceedings of the Rabat Symposium. 73–82.
Hsissou, Y., Mudry, J., Mania, J., Bouchaou, L. & Chauve, P. (1999). Utilisation du rapport Br/Cl pour déterminer l'origine de la salinité des eaux souterraines : exemple de la plaine du Souss (Maroc). Earth Planet. Sci. 328, 381–386.
Hsissou, Y., Bouchaou, L., Mudry, J., Mania, J. & Chauve, P. (2002). Use of chemical tracing to study acquisition modalities of the mineralization and behaviour of unconfined groundwaters under a semi-arid climate : the case of the Souss plain ( Morocco ). Environ. Geol. 672–680. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-002-0576-1.
Hssaisoune, M., Boutaleb, S., Benssaou, M., Tagma, T., Fasskaoui, H.E.L. & Bouchaou, L. (2012). Analyse géophysique et structurale de l ’ aquifère de la plaine du Souss-Massa : synthèse et conséquences hydrogéologiques. Geo. Eco. Trop. 63–82.
Hssaisoune, M., Bouchaou, L., Matsumoto, T., Araguas, L., Kraml, M. & Aggarwal, P. (2019). Applied Geochemistry New evidences on groundwater dynamics from the Souss-Massa system (Morocco): Insights gained from dissolved noble gases. Appl. Geochemistry 109, 104395. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2019.104395.
Kendall, C. (1998). Tracing Nitrogen Sources and Cycling in Catchments, Isotope Tracers in Catchment Hydrology. Elsevier B.V. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-444-81546-0. 50023-9.
Krimissa, S., Michelot, J., Bouchaou, L. & Mudry, J. (2004). Sur l’origine par altération du substratum schisteux de la minéralisation chlorurée des eaux d ’ une nappe côtière sous climat semi-aride (Chtouka-Massa, Maroc). Comptes Rendus Geosci. 336, 1363–1369. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crte.2004.08.003.
Kumar, P., Lai, S.H., Wong, J.K., Mohd, N.S., Sherif, M., Sefelnasr, A. & El-Shafie, A. (2020). Review of Nitrogen Compounds Prediction in Water Bodies Using Artificial Neural Networks and Other Models. Sustainability 1–26. https://doi.org/doi:10.3390/su12114359.
Kurwadkar, S., Wheat, R., Mcgahan, D.G. & Mitchell, F. (2014). Evaluation of leaching potential of three systemic neonicotinoid insecticides in vineyard soil. J. Contam. Hydrol. 170, 86–94. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jconhyd.2014.09.009.
Malki, M., Choukr-allah, R., Bouchaou, L., Ait Brahim, Y., Hirich, A. & Reichert, B. (2016). Evolution of groundwater quality in intensive agricultural zone: case of Chtouka-Massa Aquifer, Morocco. Arab. J. Geosci. 9 (10), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1007/ s12517-016-2592-6.
Malki, M., Choukr-Allah, R., Bouchaou, L., et al. (2017a). Assessment of Groundwater Quality: Impact of Natural and Anthropogenic Contamination in Souss-Massa River Basin. In: Choukr‐Allah, R., Ragab, R., Bouchaou, L., Barceló, D. (eds) The Souss‐Massa River Basin, Morocco. The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry, vol 53. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/698_2016_72.
Malki, M., Bouchaou, L., Hirich, A., Ait, Y. & Choukr-Allah, R., (2017b). Impact of agricultural practices on groundwater quality in intensive irrigated area of Chtouka-Massa , Morocco. Sci. Total Environ. 574, 760–770. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.09.145.
Mansir, I., Bouchaou, L., Choukr-allah, R., Chebli, B. & El Otmani, M. (2018). Groundwater Resources Scarcity in Souss-Massa Region and Alternative Solutions for Sustainable Agricultural Development. Groundwater and Global Change in the Western Mediterranean Area, 189–197. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-69356-9_22.
Mansir, I., Bouchaou, L., Chebli, B., Ait Brahim, Y. & Choukr-Allah, R. (2021). A specific indicator approach for the assessment of water resource vulnerability in arid areas: the case of the Souss-Massa Region (Morocco). Hyd. Sci. Jour. 66, 1151-1168. https://doi.org/10.1080/02626667.2021.1924379.
N’da, B., Bouchaou, L., Reichert, B., et al. (2018). Chemical Tracers and Stable Isotopes Mixing Models for Groundwater Quality and Recharge Study in the Moroccan High Atlas Mountains. Env. Ear. Sci. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-69356-9_27.
Obeidat, M.M., Al-Ajlouni, A., Al-Rub, F.A. & Awawdeh, M. (2012). An innovative nitrate pollution index and multivariate statistical investigations of groundwater chemical quality of Umm Rijam Aquifer (B4), North Yarmouk River Basin, Jordan,” Chapters, in: Konstantinos (Kostas).
Ouarani, M., Ait Brahim, Y., Mulla, D., Rafik, A., Azennoud, K., Bouchaou, L. & Chehbouni, A. (2023). A comprehensive overview of groundwater salinization and recharge processes in a semi-arid coastal aquifer (Essaouira, Morocco). Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies 49, 101501. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrh.2023.101501.
Rafik, A., Ait Brahim, Y., Ouhamdouch, S., Bouchaou, L., Rhoujjati, N. & Chehbouni, A. (2023). A Multi Tool 3D Conceptual Model to Elucidate Groundwater Processes, Vulnerability, and Recharge Patterns in a Semi-Arid Region: A Case Study from Morocco. Earth Sys. and Environ. 7:781–800. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41748-023-00353-1.
Rahman, A., Mondal, N. & Tiwari, K. (2021). Anthropogenic nitrate in groundwater and its health risks in the view of background concentration in a semi-arid area of Rajasthan, India. Sci. Rep. 11 (1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021- 88600-1.
Rhoujjati, N., Ait Brahim, Y., Hanich, L., Rhoujjati, A., Patris, N., Chehbouni, A. & Bouchaou, L. (2023a). Precipitation isotopes to elucidate moisture sources in the Western Mediterranean: case of the Middle Atlas Mountains, Morocco. Environmental Earth Sciences, 82:250. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-023-10930-2.
Rhoujjati, N., Ait Brahim, Y., Hanich, L., Rhoujjati, A., Rafik, A., Ouatiki, H., Chehbouni, A. & Bouchaou, L. (2023b). Snowpack and groundwater recharge in the Atlas mountains: New evidence and key drivers. Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies 49, 101520. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrh.2023.101520.
Rhoujjati, N., Ait Brahim, Y., Hanich, L., Rhoujjati, A., Patris, N., Chehbouni, A. & Bouchaou, L. (2024). Understanding the Groundwater Recharge Processes in the Moroccan Middle Atlas Using Water Isotopes (δ18O and δ2H). Advances in Science, Technology & Innovation.
Springer, Cham, 35-37, Springer Nature Switzerland. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-48754-5_9.
Seif-Ennasr, M., Hirich, A., Zine El Abidine, E.M. et al. (2017). Assessment of Global Change Impacts on Groundwater Resources in Souss-Massa Basin. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-51856-5_8.
Tagma, T., Hsissou, Y., Bouchaou, L. & Bouragba, L. (2009). Groundwater nitrate pollution in Souss-Massa basin. African J. Environ. Sci. Technol. 3, 301–309.
Verma, A., Sharma, A., Kumar, R. & Sharma, P. (2023). Nitrate contamination in groundwater and associated health risk assessment for Indo-Gangetic Plain, India. Groundw. Sustain. Dev. 23, 100978. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gsd.2023.100978.
Viers, J.H., Liptzin, D., Rosenstock, T.S., Jensen, V.B. & Hollander, A.D. (2012). Nitrogen Sources and Loading to groundwater. California: California State Water Resources Control Board.
Zhou, Z. (2015). A Global Assessment of Nitrate Contamination in Groundwater.
