Hydro-Physical Characterization of Contrasting Urban and Natural Soils in a Semi-Arid Basin: Implications for Water Transfer in Bouskoura, Morocco
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faculty of sciences, University Ibn Tofail, 14000, Kénitra.
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sara Salih
faculty of sciences, University Ibn Tofail, 14000, Kénitra.
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ABSTRACT
Urbanization modifies soil conditions and may alter the partitioning of rainfall between surface runoff and subsurface water transfer, particularly in semi-arid environments. This study characterizes the hydro-physical properties of soils under contrasting land-use conditions in the Bouskoura Basin, Morocco. Four site-specific soil samples representing dense urban, peri-urban, industrial, and natural forest environments were analyzed for particle-size distribution, natural water content, bulk and dry density, and Atterberg limits. Total porosity was estimated from dry density using an assumed particle density of 2650 kg m−3. The results show clear differences in particle-size composition and measured hydro-physical properties among the investigated sites. The industrial sample contains the highest gravel fraction (25%), whereas the natural forest sample has the highest fine-particle fraction (48.2%). Dry density ranges from 1540 to 1671 kg m−3, with the highest value occurring at the natural forest site. Natural water content ranges from 4.4% to 12.5%. These observations indicate contrasting soil conditions among the investigated land-use settings that may influence water storage and subsurface transfer. However, infiltration rate, hydraulic conductivity, and groundwater recharge were not directly measured; therefore, hydrological implications are interpreted as potential effects rather than quantified processes. The study provides a site-specific hydro-physical baseline for future investigations of infiltration, runoff, and groundwater recharge in the rapidly urbanizing Bouskoura Basin.