article · Water
An evaluation of groundwater quality in Morocco's Mnasra region within the Gharb Plain examined thirty samples across thirty-three physicochemical parameters. The assessment integrated geochemical diagrams, multivariate statistical tools, geographic information systems, and multiple pollution indices. Results demonstrated that calcium was the dominant cation and chloride the primary anion, with water-rock interactions shaping the local chemistry. While overall contamination indices classified most samples as having insignificant pollution, specific nitrate assessments revealed notable contamination linked to agricultural activities. The highest contamination levels appeared in the eastern and southern sections of the region. Despite localised nitrate concerns, the majority of samples met standards for potable use and irrigation, with broad suitability confirmed by drinking and irrigation quality indices.
Groundwater is essential for safe drinking supplies and agricultural productivity. Identifying specific contaminants like nitrates and pinpointing where pollution concentrates helps water managers protect human health and sustain farming. Detailed spatial mapping gives environmental authorities the evidence needed to design targeted interventions, prevent further agricultural runoff into aquifers, and safeguard regional water security.
The applied spatial and index-based assessment framework provides direct decision-support data for regional water basin agencies, agricultural extension services, and environmental regulators. While the research constitutes an applied field assessment rather than a ready-to-sell product, the methodological combination of indices and mapping tools can be operationalised by environmental consultancies to monitor groundwater risks and support sustainable catchment management.
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Groundwater, an invaluable resource crucial for irrigation and drinking purposes, significantly impacts human health and societal advancement. This study aims to evaluate the groundwater quality in the Mnasra region of the Gharb Plain, employing a comprehensive analysis of thirty samples collected from various locations, based on thirty-three physicochemical parameters. Utilizing tools like the Pollution Index of Groundwater (PIG), Nitrate Pollution Index (NPI), Water Quality Index (WQI), Irrigation Water Quality Index (IWQI), as well as Multivariate Statistical Approaches (MSA), and the Geographic Information System (GIS), this research identifies the sources of groundwater pollution. The results revealed Ca2+ dominance among cations and Cl− as the primary anion. The Piper and Gibbs diagrams illustrated the prevalent Ca2+-Cl− water type and the significance of water–rock interactions, respectively. The PIG values indicated that 86.66% of samples exhibited “Insignificant pollution”. NPI showed notable nitrate pollution (1.48 to 7.06), with 83.33% of samples rated “Good” for drinking based on the WQI. The IWQI revealed that 80% of samples were classified as “Excellent” and 16.66% as “Good”. Spatial analysis identified the eastern and southern sections as highly contaminated due to agricultural activities. These findings provide valuable insights for decision-makers to manage groundwater resources and promote sustainable water management in the Gharb region.
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DOI: 10.3390/w16091263
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