Assessment of groundwater vulnerability to pollution of a wetland watershed: The case study of the Oualidia-Sidi Moussa wetland, Morocco

Authors

  • H. El Himer GEOHYD, Geology Department, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, University Cadi Ayyad, P.O. Box 2390, Marrakech, Morocco
  • Y. Fakir GEOHYD, Geology Department, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, University Cadi Ayyad, P.O. Box 2390, Marrakech, Morocco
  • T. Y. Stigter Geo-Systems Centre/CVRM, Instituto Superior Técnico, Av. Rovisco Pais, Lisbon, 1049-001, Portugal
  • M. Lepage CESBIO (UMR 5126 CNES-CNRS-UPS-IRD), Toulouse, France
  • A. El Mandour GEOHYD, Geology Department, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, University Cadi Ayyad, P.O. Box 2390, Marrakech, Morocco
  • L. Ribeiro Geo-Systems Centre/CVRM, Instituto Superior Técnico, Av. Rovisco Pais, Lisbon, 1049-001, Portugal

Keywords:

Susceptibility Index, runoff, land use, management

Abstract

The susceptibility of wetlands to continental pollution is closely related to the vulnerability of their surface and sub-surface watersheds. Therefore, to help manage wetlands, especially those fed by groundwater, it can be useful to assess the vulnerability of their aquifers. This approach is illustrated by the case study of the wetland of Oualidia-Sidi Moussa. Firstly, the hydrogeological basin of the wetland was identified. Vulnerability mapping was then performed using the specific Susceptibility Index (SI) method. Results indicated that the natural protection against pollution of the watershed of the Oualidia-Sidi Moussa wetland was low, and that the system was indeed affected by anthropogenic pollution. Preservation of its ecological value requires urgent management actions.

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Published

2013-04-01

Issue

Vol. 16 No. 2 (2013): Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the AEHMS: The Aquatic Ecosystem Puzzle

Section

Research article

License

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