Abstract
The present work was conducted in the basin of Laayoun-Dakhla (South Morocco) to: 1) identify the recharge and flow characteristics of the Lower Cretaceous aquifer (LC); and 2) provide information about the mineralization of aquifer’s water. Isotopic and hydrochemical compositions combined with the geological and hydrogeological settings were used for this purpose. The principal changes in chemical composition of LC groundwater result from mixing with water of deeper circulation. Closer analysis of available chemical data reveals the importance of dissolution/precipitation processes in evolution of groundwater chemistry. Piezometric levels, as well as chemical and isotopic composition of groundwaters, confirm hydraulic connection between the LC and the others aquifers. Overlap of some major characteristics (δ18O, δ2H, Cl-) in this aquifer suggests that mixing processes considerably influence the hydrochemical evolution of water. The surface electrical resistivity does not indicate any freshwater-saltwater interface in the coastal aquifer and the relationship between 18O and Cl allows us to reject the hypothesis of a seawater intrusion.
Highlights
In arid regions, overexploitation of groundwater induced alarming declines in water levels
The present work was conducted in the basin of Laayoun-Dakhla (South Morocco) to: 1) identify the recharge and flow characteristics of the Lower Cretaceous aquifer (LC); and 2) provide information about the mineralization of aquifer’s water
Several techniques are used, including the hydrochemical and isotopic tools [1,2]; those will be used in this study; applied to the lower Cretaceous aquifer (LC) of southern Morocco
Summary
Overexploitation of groundwater induced alarming declines in water levels. The groundwater management of such regions passes first through an understanding and delimitation of recharge areas and their hydrodynamic behavior. For this aim, several techniques are used, including the hydrochemical and isotopic tools [1,2]; those will be used in this study; applied to the lower Cretaceous aquifer (LC) of southern Morocco. Several techniques are used, including the hydrochemical and isotopic tools [1,2]; those will be used in this study; applied to the lower Cretaceous aquifer (LC) of southern Morocco The choice of this aquifer is based on the facts that it is the only aquifer in the area intensively exploited and is the most important by its extension across the basin of Laayoune-Dakhla (about 90,000 km2) and productivity (up to 70 l/s/well)
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