Pollution Vulnerability of the Ghiss Nekkor Alluvial Aquifer in Al-Hoceima (Morocco), Using GIS-Based DRASTIC Model

Yassine El Yousfi, Mahjoub Himi, Mourad Aqnouy, Said Benyoussef, Hicham Gueddari, Imane Lamine, Hossain El Ouarghi, Amar Alali, Hanane Ait Hmeid, Mohamed Chahban, Abdennabi Alitane, Abdallah Elaaraj, Kamal Abdelrahman, Tamer Abu-Alam (), Ali Ait Boughrous, Azzeddine Khafouri and Mohamed Abioui ()
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Yassine El Yousfi: Water and Environment Management, Laboratory of Applied Sciences (LSA), National School of Applied Sciences Al Hoceima, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Tétouan 93030, Morocco
Mahjoub Himi: Water and Environment Management, Laboratory of Applied Sciences (LSA), National School of Applied Sciences Al Hoceima, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Tétouan 93030, Morocco
Mourad Aqnouy: AGRL, AGRSRT, Department of Geosciences, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, Moulay Ismail University of Meknes, Errachidia 52000, Morocco
Said Benyoussef: Research Team of Biology, Environment and Health, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Moulay Ismail, Errachidia 52000, Morocco
Hicham Gueddari: OLMAN BPGE Laboratory, Multidisciplinary Faculty of Nador, Mohamed First University, Oujda 60000, Morocco
Imane Lamine: Laboratory of Aquatic Systems, Marine and Continental Environments (AQUAMAR), Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Ibnou Zohr University, Agadir 80000, Morocco
Hossain El Ouarghi: Water and Environment Management, Laboratory of Applied Sciences (LSA), National School of Applied Sciences Al Hoceima, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Tétouan 93030, Morocco
Amar Alali: AGRL, AGRSRT, Department of Geosciences, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, Moulay Ismail University of Meknes, Errachidia 52000, Morocco
Hanane Ait Hmeid: OLMAN BPGE Laboratory, Multidisciplinary Faculty of Nador, Mohamed First University, Oujda 60000, Morocco
Mohamed Chahban: OLMAN BPGE Laboratory, Multidisciplinary Faculty of Nador, Mohamed First University, Oujda 60000, Morocco
Abdennabi Alitane: Geoengineering and Environment Laboratory, Research Group “Water Sciences and Environment Engineering”, Geology Department, Faculty of Sciences, Moulay Ismail University, Meknes 50000, Morocco
Abdallah Elaaraj: Natural Resources and Environment Laboratory, Geology Department, Polydisciplinary Faculty of Taza, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Taza 35000, Morocco
Kamal Abdelrahman: Department of Geology & Geophysics, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
Tamer Abu-Alam: The Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics, UiT the Arctic University of Norway, 9037 Tromsø, Norway
Ali Ait Boughrous: Research Team of Biology, Environment and Health, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Moulay Ismail, Errachidia 52000, Morocco
Azzeddine Khafouri: Laboratory of Geoheritage, Geoenvironment and Prospecting of Mines &Water, Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed Premier University, Oujda 60000, Morocco
Mohamed Abioui: Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Ibnou Zohr University, Agadir 80000, Morocco

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 6, 1-17

Abstract: Groundwater resources of the alluvial aquifer Ghiss Nekkor, which covers an area of 100 km 2 , are the main source of domestic and agricultural freshwater supply in the region of Al Hoceima in Morocco. Due to human activities (overexploitation, increase in agricultural activity), this alluvial aquifer has become very sensitive to chemical pollution. The principal objective of this current study is to develop and implement a calibration method to assess, map, and estimate the vulnerability of the Ghiss Nekkor alluvial aquifer to pollution risk. In this work, the GIS-based DRASTIC model was used to estimate the inherent vulnerability to contamination of the Ghiss Nekkor alluvial aquifer with seven standard hydrogeological parameters. Nitrate (NO 3 ) and electrical conductivity (EC) data were used to validate the DRASTIC map. The results of the vulnerability map analysis show that the vulnerability to contaminants varies from non-existent in the southwestern part of the plain (7.3% of the total area), to very high (14.5%). The vulnerability is moderate in the central and northeastern areas (26.9%), while it is high in the other areas (17.5%). Furthermore, the most sensitive areas are mainly concentrated near the coastal strip and the central plain on both sides of the Nekkor River. In these areas, the NO 3 and EC values are above the maximum allowable limit of the World Health Organization. The results suggest that the DRASTIC model can be an effective tool for decision-makers concerned about managing groundwater sustainability.

Keywords: vulnerability; DRASTIC model; groundwater pollution; nitrate; Ghiss Nekkor alluvial aquifer (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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