The chemical state of the watershed in Ras Elma region (South of Taza, Morocco) one of the parameters responsible for the decline in the formation of the current travertine formations.

Abstract

The Ras Elma region, situated to the south of the city of Taza in northern Morocco, boasts abundant travertine formations that continue to develop, albeit selectively in specific sheltered sites. This development is influenced by various parameters, including the role of water chemistry. This article presents a spatio-temporal analysis of various hydrochemical parameters, including conductivity, pH, temperature, magnesium, calcium, and others. It's worth noting that the water from the Ras Elma Vauclusian spring, a key driver of travertinization in the region, is sourced from water infiltrating through faults and flowing into Lake Tompraire, known as Dayat Chikker near the Bab Boudir area. The findings suggest that the water in Ras Elma has turned aggressive, as revealed by the examination of the calcaro-carbonic equilibrium. CaCO3 precipitation occurs predominantly in the summer, significantly impacting the formation of travertines, particularly those of the spring and dam types. However, valley-type travertines exhibit more extensive development compared to the other two types.