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13-11-2017 | Report

Hydrochemical constraints between the karst Tabular Middle Atlas Causses and the Saïs basin (Morocco): implications of groundwater circulation

Authors: Hélène Miche, Ginette Saracco, Adriano Mayer, Khaoula Qarqori, Mohamed Rouai, Abdelilah Dekayir, Konstantinos Chalikakis, Christophe Emblanch

Published in: Hydrogeology Journal | Issue 1/2018

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Abstract

The karst Tabular Middle Atlas Causses reservoir is the main drinking-water supply of Fez-Meknes region (Saïs Basin) in Morocco. Recent analyses showed a decline in associated groundwater chemical quality and increased turbidity. To understand this hydrosystem, four surveys were undertaken during fall and spring, 2009–2011. Hydrogeochemical studies coupled with isotopic analyses (δ¹⁸O, δD and ²²²Rn) showed that the aquifers between the causses (mountains) and the Saïs Basin are of Liassic origin and at the southern extremities are of Triassic origin. Five recharge zones of different altitudes have been defined, including two main mixing zones in the south. Deuterium excess results suggest local recharge, while a plot of δ¹⁸O versus δD characterizes a confined aquifer in the eastern sector. ²²²Rn results reveal areas of rapid exchanges with an upwelling time of less than 2 weeks. A schematic conceptual model is presented to explain the groundwater circulation system and the behavior of this karst system.

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Title: Hydrochemical constraints between the karst Tabular Middle Atlas Causses and the Saïs basin (Morocco): implications of groundwater circulation
Authors: Hélène Miche
Ginette Saracco
Adriano Mayer
Khaoula Qarqori
Mohamed Rouai
Abdelilah Dekayir
Konstantinos Chalikakis
Christophe Emblanch
Publication date: 13-11-2017
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Hydrogeology Journal / Issue 1/2018
Print ISSN: 1431-2174
Electronic ISSN: 1435-0157
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-017-1675-0

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