Messinian Salinity Crisis Impact on the Groundwater Quality in Kert Aquifer NE Morocco: Hydrochemical and Statistical Approaches
International Journal of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering Vol. 4(11), pp. 339-351, November 2012 Available online at http://www.academicjournals.org/IJWREE DOI: 10.5897/IJWREE12.002 ISSN 1991-637X ©2012 Academic Journals Full Length Research Paper Messinian salinity crisis impact on the groundwater quality in Kert aquifer NE Morocco: Hydrochemical and statistical approaches Elgettafi Mohammed1,2*, Elmandour Abdennabi2, Himi Mahjoub1, Casas Albert1 and Elhaouadi Boubker3 1Water Institute. Departamento de Geoquímica, Petrología y Prospección Geológica. Facultad de Geología. Universidad de Barcelona. Martí i Franquès, s/n, 08028 Barcelona, Spain. 2GEOHYD Laboratory, Université Cady Ayyad, Faculté des sciences Semlalia, Marrakech, Morocco. 3Laboratory of Hydraulic Agency of Moulouya Basin, Oujda, Morocco. Accepted 28 June, 2012 Groundwater’s studies at middle Kert aquifer in northeast of Morocco are very important due to the semi-arid character and its geological history. The region is recognized by messinian salinity crisis already 5.6 Ma. Water chemistry is mainly dominated by dissolution of evaporate rocks (Halite and Gypsum) related to outcropping and basement limits developed in Messinian age. Freshwater with total dissolved solids 740 mg/l (average value) in Tafersite district is chemically distinct from saline water with total dissolved solids of 9803 mg/l in the south zone. In wadis, water is S04-Cl-Ca type; they are influenced by the surrounding highlands located at the south of the plain. The investigation reveals that + 2+ 2+ - 2- weathering of evaporated rocks is the processes responsible for high Na , Ca , Mg , Cl and SO4 concentrations. Also, hydro chemical data displays that freshwater observed in the northwest part reflect the influence of freshwaters coming from metamorphic massive of Temsamane.
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