Impact of Anthropic Activities on the Quality of Groundwater in the Central Rif (North Morocco)
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1
Laboratory of Applied Sciences, National School of Applied Sciences, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, 32 003 Al Hoceima, Morocco
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Research team: Biology, Environment and Health, Department of Biology, Errachidia Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Moulay Ismaïl, Meknes, Morocco
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Laboratory for the Improvement of Agricultural Production, Biotechnology and the Environment (LAPABE), Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed Premier University, 717 60000 Oujda, Morocco
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Solid Mineral Chemistry, Applied Chemistry and Environment Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed First University, Oujda, Morocco
Publication date: 2021-11-01
Corresponding author
Mourad Arabi
Laboratory of the Improvement of Agricultural Production, Biotechnology and the Environment, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University Mohammed Premier, PB 717 60000, BV M6, Oujda, Morocco
Ecol. Eng. Environ. Technol. 2021; 6:69-78
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ABSTRACT
The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of human anthropic activities on the physicochemical and biological properties as well as the quantity of the groundwater in the central Rif of Morocco. Series of analyses were carried out on the water resources of this area. The interpretation of analytical data and the distribution of groundwater into groups were treated using multivariate statistical methods including Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and the Ascending Hierarchical Classification (CHA). The results of the present study showed strong mineralization of the investigated area waters. This study also indicated the impact of anthropogenic activities and their influences on the quality of groundwater in the central Rif, with the presence of total coliforms, fecal Escherichia coli type, and fecal streptococci intestinal enterococcal type, suggesting that the contamination of this groundwater was induced by human pollution. In addition, the infiltration of groundwater by wastewater from septic tanks, the use of wastewater for irrigation purposes, the increased use of fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture, and irregular rainfall in the region constitute the main factors of anthropogenic contamination of groundwater in the study area.