Deep Structural Control on Groundwater Systems in the Eastern Bahira Basin (Morocco) Revealed by Integrated Gravity, Seismic, and Electrical Resistivity Data

Abstract

In arid regions such as the Eastern Bahira Basin (Morocco), groundwater represents the primary resource for drinking water supply and irrigation. The sustainable management of these resources requires a detailed understanding of aquifer geometry, deep structural controls, and the identification of the most favorable zones for groundwater exploitation. However, this remains a major challenge in the Eastern Bahira Basin, directly affecting the effectiveness of regional water supply and irrigation programs.This study adopts an integrated geophysical approach combining newly acquired Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) data with the compilation and reinterpretation of legacy gravity, seismic reflection, and vertical electrical sounding (VES) datasets. Gravity data were reprocessed using advanced techniques, including residual anomaly analysis and horizontal gradient maxima, to delineate major subsurface structural lineaments. Seismic reflection data were reinterpreted to improve the characterization of the basin’s deep structure, incorporating recent borehole information. The interpretations derived from gravity and seismic analyses were further constrained and validated by VES and ERT results acquired across key sectors of the basin.The integrated interpretation reveals the dominant structural framework controlling aquifer geometry and groundwater distribution in the Eastern Bahira Basin and identifies the most promising hydrogeological targets. These results provide new insights into the deep structural organization of the basin and contribute to improving groundwater exploration strategies and the sustainability of ongoing drinking water supply and irrigation projects in this arid region.