Hydrogeochemical processes constrained by multivariate statistical methods and isotopic evidence of groundwater recharge
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ORIGINAL PAPER
Hydrogeochemical processes constrained by multivariate statistical methods and isotopic evidence of groundwater recharge in the aquifer of Figuig, Eastern High Atlas of Morocco Abdelhakim Jilali 1 & Nathalie Fagel 2 & Mounir Amar 3 & Mahmoud Abbas 4 & Yassine Zarhloule 1
Received: 1 September 2014 / Accepted: 10 September 2015 # Saudi Society for Geosciences 2015
Abstract In this paper, we present and discuss 72 samples of groundwater (borehole, well, and spring), collected over a period of time of 20 years (i.e., between 1983 and 2004) in the Figuig aquifer. The chemical and isotopic analyses were carried out to improve our understanding of the hydrogeochemical processes. Most of the waters sampled consist of Ca-Mg-HCO3 and Na-K-Cl types. The samples are grouped according to two factors. Factor 1 shows strong negative loadings of EC, Cl-, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, and NO3−, K+ with 73.91 % of the total variance (TV); factor 2 shows strong positive loadings of SO42−, HCO3− with TV of 11.02 %. The 18O and 2H values of well and spring waters are linearly correlated, in a similar manner to the World Meteoric Water Line (WMWL). The 14C datings indicate that the age of groundwater obtained using different models ranges between 2495 and 10,696 years.
Keywords Hydrogeochemistry . Statistical analysis . Isotopes . Figuig aquifer . Morocco
* Abdelhakim Jilali [email protected] 1
Laboratory of Mineral Deposits, Hydrogeology & Environment, Faculty of Sciences, University Mohammed I, Boulevard Mohammed VI, BP: 524, 60000 Oujda, Morocco
2
Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium
3
Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, University of Moulay Ismail Meknes, Meknes, Morocco
4
Laboratory of Water Analysis of Figuig (L.A.E.F), Municipality of Figuig, BP 121, Administrative Centre, 61000 Figuig, Morocco
Introduction Water resources are under serious pressure worldwide, and their efficient management and protection constitute a key issue for the future (Wildemeersch et al. 2010). This plays a vital role in the socioeconomic development in arid and semiarid regions (Tlili-Zrelli et al. 2013). Understanding the local hydrogeological system helps manage and protect groundwater resources (Wildemeersch et al. 2010). The chemical composition of groundwaters depends on the available precipitation, bedrock geology, and various geochemical processes, and their concentrations vary with residence time. Numerous studies were carried out to evaluate the impact of hydrogeochemical processes on water resources as this is a frequent objective of hydrogeological research (Abderamane et al. 2013; Kumar et al. 2013; Thivya et al. 2013; Tlili-Zrelli et al. 2013; Wang et al. 2013; Wildemeersch et al. 2010; Wu et al. 2013; Zhai et al. 2013). A very suitable natural laboratory to study these processes is the Figuig Basin in Eastern Morocco, where the deterioration of groundwater quantity and quality is significant. This deterioration is evidenced by the decrease in the water output of springs, th
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