Using Geochemical and Isotope Investigations for Groundwater Management Strategies Under Semi-Arid Area: Case of the Wadi Ouazzi Basin (Morocco)

Abstract

The characteristics of Essaouira basin water resources are a semi-arid climate, which is severely impacted by the climate (quantity and quality). Considering the importance of the Essaouira aquifer in the groundwater supply of the region, a study was conducted in order to comprehend this aquifer groundwater evolution. The Essaouira aquifer is a coastal aquifers located on the Atlantic coastline, southern (Morocco), corresponding to a sedimentary basin with an area of near 200 km2.A water sampling from twenty wells, drillings and sources belonging to the Plio-quaternary and Tu-ronian aquifers was realized (what was realized). Samples examined from the ground for electric conductivity and temperature, determined waters belonging to the Plio-quaternary and Turonian aquifers present very variable electric conductivities from 900 µs/cm to 3880 µs/cm. In spite of this variability, they form the same family and are characterized by sodium-chloride facies. There exists, however, a good correlation between the electric conductivity and chloride and sodium contents. Therefore the lower electric conductivities are situated in the North quarter immediately in the south of the Wadi Ouazzi.

Keywords: Management, Wadi Ouazzi, Drought, Strategies, Semi-arid, Turonian, Plio-Quaternary.