A Summary Analysis of Groundwater Vulnerability to Climate Variability and Anthropic Activities in the Haouz Region, Morocco

Imane El Bouazzaoui (), Yassine Ait Brahim, El Mahdi El Khalki, Adam Najmi and Blaid Bougadir
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Imane El Bouazzaoui: Laboratory of Sciences Applied to the Environment and Sustainable Development, Cadi Ayyad University, Essaouira 20000, Morocco
Yassine Ait Brahim: International Water Research Institute, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Ben Guerir 43150, Morocco
El Mahdi El Khalki: International Water Research Institute, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Ben Guerir 43150, Morocco
Adam Najmi: Laboratory of Georesources, Geo-Environments, and Civil Engineering, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech 40000, Morocco
Blaid Bougadir: Laboratory of Sciences Applied to the Environment and Sustainable Development, Cadi Ayyad University, Essaouira 20000, Morocco

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 22, 1-16

Abstract: The Haouz aquifer is undergoing climatic aridity and anthropic pressure largely related to the agricultural sector. In this study, special attention was given to the main factors that have a direct impact on the fluctuations of the piezometric level (PL). Different statistical analyses (cross-correlations, PCA, cascading analysis) of the relationship between these factors were applied here. The results identify three distinct groundwater operating systems. The first is manifested in areas dominated by groundwater irrigation. The correlation is insignificant between the PL and surface water (R ≤ ±0.3). The natural balance of the water cycle is then disturbed causing a pronounced deficit in the PL. The second system is perceptible in areas dominated by irrigation from surface water, while the third system is noticeable in Bour areas, cultivated in rainfed mode. For both systems, the hydrological cycle is preserved, and the contribution of surface water to groundwater recharge is noticeable (±0.4 ≤ R ≤ ±1). Drought transfer between the water cycle components occurs in a cascading process for both systems. These results can help decision-makers to identify the risks related to groundwater vulnerability to climatic variability and overexploitation in the Haouz region, allowing for the promotion of efficient groundwater management.

Keywords: aquifer; aridity; piezometric level; irrigation; water cycle; recharge; cascading (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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