Seasonal Variations and Assessment of Surface Water Quality Using Water Quality Index (WQI) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA): A Case Study

Driss Hammoumi, Hefdhallah S. Al-Aizari (), Ibrahim A. Alaraidh, Mohammad K. Okla, Mohamed E. Assal, Ali R. Al-Aizari, Mohamed Sheikh Moshab, Saïd Chakiri and Zohra Bejjaji
Additional contact information
Driss Hammoumi: Laboratory of Geosciences, Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra 14000, Morocco
Hefdhallah S. Al-Aizari: Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, Catalysis and Environmental Unit, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra 14000, Morocco
Ibrahim A. Alaraidh: Botany and Microbiology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
Mohammad K. Okla: Botany and Microbiology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
Mohamed E. Assal: Department of Chemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
Ali R. Al-Aizari: Institute of Surface-Earth System Science, School of Earth System, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
Mohamed Sheikh Moshab: Department of Chemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
Saïd Chakiri: Laboratory of Geosciences, Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra 14000, Morocco
Zohra Bejjaji: Laboratory of Geosciences, Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra 14000, Morocco

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 13, 1-21

Abstract: In recent decades, water pollution has become a major concern, threatening both humans and natural ecosystems. This study aims to analyze seasonal variations in the quality of surface water of the Nador Canal in Morocco, using the water quality index (WQI) and principal component analysis (PCA). Surface water samples from 22 sites along the canal were analyzed for physical, chemical, and heavy metal parameters. The results of the study revealed significant seasonal variations, with water quality decreasing in the summer months, while its quality generally improved in winter. The predominant water type was Na + -Cl − in summer, while it was the mixed Ca 2 + -Na + -HCO 3 − water type in winter. WQI values also varied seasonally, with an average of 113.04 in summer and 160.6 in winter, classifying the water as unsuitable for drinking but suitable for irrigation throughout the year. The results of the water quality index are consistent with the results of the principal component analysis of surface water in the Nador Canal, where the results of the principal component analysis showed that there are significant seasonal variations in water quality. In both summer and winter, major ions like magnesium, sodium, and calcium predominantly indicate influences from natural and anthropogenic sources. In winter, heavy metals and nutrients, signaling pollution from industrial and agricultural runoff, become especially prominent. These variations are influenced by rainfall patterns and agricultural runoff, emphasizing the need for adaptive water management practices to maintain crop and soil health. This study provides new insights into the dynamic interplay between seasonal factors and water quality, offering valuable guidance for local water resource management.

Keywords: water pollution; seasonal variation; Nador Canal; water quality index (WQI); principal component analysis (PCA) (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/13/5644/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/13/5644/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:13:p:5644-:d:1427118

Access Statistics for this article

Sustainability is currently edited by Ms. Alexandra Wu

More articles in Sustainability from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().