Processes affecting groundwater quality in arid zones: The case of the Bou-Areg coastal aquifer (North Morocco)

Abstract The coastal aquifer of Bou-Areg (Morocco) has been studied to identify the main processes causing groundwater salinization, using a multi tracer (general chemistry and isotopes – δ2H, δ18O, δ13C, δ15NNO3, δ18ONO3) geochemical approach. Groundwater is characterized by the widespread occurrence of brackish waters (TDS  NO 3 - (reaching a maximum of 208 mg L−1) and Cl−. Lagoon samples represent a mixture of fresh water and sea water, showing a Na/Cl ratio in agreement with that of sea water and an excess of Ca. The high Ca values represent the main peculiarity of the groundwater–lagoon water system. Two types of groundwater could be identified: (i) freshwater, separated from the whole system and located at the limit of the irrigated area, characterized by low TDS, depleted isotopic composition and relatively high quality; and (ii) water mainly recharged by mountain runoff, interacting with local recharge and acquiring salinity from different sources, thus creating a complex system of dilute waters. Hydrochemical results confirm that the high salinity of the aquifer is caused by the coexistence of dissolution of evaporate rocks and carbonates from Miocene strata, water–rock interaction, and human impacts due to agricultural return flows. The latter represents the main contribution to groundwater salinization, especially in the central part of the aquifer, as well as one of the main causes of the general increase in NO 3 - concentrations. Only locally, in the southern part of the aquifer, close to the city of Kariat Arkmane, the high salinization observed may be attributed to the presence of lagoon water intrusion. The isotopic composition of dissolved NO 3 - indicates manure and septic effluents, especially in urban areas and in the central part of the plain, and synthetic fertilizers in the agricultural zone as the main drivers for human induced pollution. The study shows that agricultural return flow has significantly modified the chemistry of the system and it is a prime example of the human-induced changes over coastal environments. Saline water intrusion from the lagoon in the shallow aquifer is negligible, while discharge of polluted groundwater into the lagoon has been found to partially alter its quality.