Fusion of Remote Sensing and Applied Geophysics for Sinkholes Identification in Tabular Middle Atlas of Morocco (the Causse of El Hajeb): Impact on the Protection of Water Resource

Anselme Muzirafuti,Giovanni Randazzo,Antonio Crupi,Mustapha Boualoul,Stefania Lanza,Abdelhamid Allaoui,Giovanni Barreca,Hmad Bouikbane

doi:10.3390/resources9040051

Anselme Muzirafuti, Giovanni Randazzo + Show 6 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/resources9040051

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Abstract

The Causse of El Hajeb belongs to the Tabular Middle Atlas (TMA), in which thousands of karst landforms have been identified. Among them, collapse dolines and dissolution sinkholes have been highlighted as a source of environmental risks and geo-hazards. In particular, such sinkholes have been linked to the degradation of water quality in water springs located in the junction of the TMA and Saïss basin. Furthermore, the developments of collapse dolines in agricultural and inhabited areas enhance the risk of life loss, injury, and property damage. Here, the lack of research on newly formed cavities has exacerbated the situation. The limited studies using remote sensing or geophysical methods to determine the degree of karstification and vulnerability of this environment fail to provide the spatial extent and depth location of individual karst cavities. In order to contribute to the effort of sinkhole risk reduction in TMA, we employed remote sensing and geophysical surveys to integrate electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and self-potential (SP) for subsurface characterization of four sinkholes identified in the Causse of El Hajeb. The results revealed the existence of sinkholes, both visible and non-accessible at the surface, in carbonate rocks. The sinkholes exhibited distinct morphologies, with depths reaching 35 m. Topography, geographic coordinates and land cover information extracted on remote sensing data demonstrated that these cavities were developed in depressions in which agricultural activities are regularly performed. The fusion of these methods benefits from remote sensing in geophysical surveys, particularly in acquisition, georeferencing, processing and interpretation of geophysical data. Furthermore, our proposed method allows identification of the protection perimeter required to minimize the risks posed by sinkholes.

Highlights

Introduced by Fairbridge [1] as subcircular surface depressions or collapse structures created by the collapse of small subterranean karst cavities [2], sinkholes are fascinating structures in karst landscapes
The current study examines the potential of remote sensing and applied geophysics in mapping sinkholes and karst cavities
Sentinel-2; ASTER-GDEM and Google Images were combined with fieldwork and GPS

Summary

Introduction

Introduced by Fairbridge [1] as subcircular surface depressions or collapse structures created by the collapse of small subterranean karst cavities [2], sinkholes are fascinating structures in karst landscapes. Sinkholes are defined as cavities resulting from the collapse or cover dolines developed in carbonate or dissolution rocks, while dolines are cavities defined by their morphogenetical mechanisms and hydrological structures [4]. For carbonate rocks with a fluctuating water table, as the level of water in the aquifer drops, unsupported cover-cavities become instable. Continuous decreases in the water table and a diminishing roof thickness by gradual erosion result in the inability of some areas to support heavy charges at the surface. This results in the eventual collapse of the roof. The development of sinkholes (or collapse dolines) enhances the risk of injury and life loss, property damage [2] and groundwater pollution

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