Title: Integration of geochemical and isotopic tracers for elucidating water bodies interaction in the Oum-Er-Rabiaa River (Middle-Atlas, Morocco)

Authors: Amine Tahiri; Fouad Amraoui; Mohamed Sinan; Khalid Benjmel

Addresses: Laboratory of Geosciences Applied to Engineering Development, Department of Geology, Faculty of Sciences Ain-Chock, Hassan II University of Casablanca, B.P. 5366 Maarif, Casablanca, Maroc, Morocco ' Laboratory of Geosciences Applied to Engineering Development, Department of Geology, Faculty of Sciences Ain-Chock, Hassan II University of Casablanca, B.P. 5366 Maarif, Casablanca, Maroc, Morocco ' Laboratory of Civil Engineering, Hydraulics, Environment and Climate, Department of Hydraulics, Environment and Climate, Hassania School of Public Works, B.P. 8108 Oasis, Casablanca, Maroc, Morocco ' Laboratory of Geosciences Applied to Engineering Development, Department of Geology, Faculty of Sciences Ain-Chock, Hassan II University of Casablanca, B.P. 5366 Maarif, Casablanca, Maroc, Morocco

Abstract: The present study focuses on the area of Oum-Er-Rabiaa River, in which the Liassic limestone formations give rise to a group of springs with good physico-chemical quality. These latter are mixed with a second group of very salty springs. The approach used in this study is based, firstly, on the calculation of the isotope balance (δ18O, δ2H) in order to determine the percentage of the two mixing poles in the contribution to the basic supply of the Oum-Er-Rabiaa River, and secondly, to calculate the global water quality index in order to evaluate the suitability of these water resources for agricultural use. The results showed that the rate of contribution of the fresh springs is about 76%, while the saline springs contribute at a rate of 24%. Furthermore, the calculation of the quality index showed that this contamination by the saline springs has significantly influenced the water quality of the river.

Keywords: water quality index; WQI; isotope balance; river contamination; water resources management; Morocco.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHST.2022.123168

International Journal of Hydrology Science and Technology, 2022 Vol.13 No.4, pp.437 - 456

Received: 24 May 2020
Accepted: 27 Aug 2020
Published online: 01 Jun 2022 *

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