Spatial and Temporal Variations of the Water Quality of the Tiflet River, Province of Khemisset, Morocco

Abstract

Humanity’s water needs are constantly increasing, however, under the action of humanity themselves, the reserves of this substance are, constantly, deteriorating in quantity and quality. It is, therefore, necessary to preserve the water reserves. However, any development of a hydrosystem’s quality conservation strategy is based on determining the chemical characteristics of its waters. Therefore, the objective of this study is to investigate the spatial and temporal variations of water quality in the Tiflet River, a watercourse in the northwest of Morocco, to estimate its degree of pollution and to determine its main sources of pollution. Thus, eight stations, distributed along the watercourse and positioned taking into account the potential sources of pollution, were fixed, and eleven physicochemical parameters were, seasonally, evaluated. Multivariate statistical techniques were used to assess variations in water quality and identify the main factors responsible for pollution. The results showed that wastewater discharges into the river can increase the water salinity, phosphorus load and organic pollution load of the river. The total loads of nitrogen and nitrate pollution were higher compared to the standard norms in the stations exposed to agricultural pollution and to the leaching of the watersheds, which could aggravate the eutrophication state of the river and stimulate the growth of aquatic vegetation. The organic pollution load recorded in the wet season is low, compared to that recorded in the dry season. Whereas, the nutrient load recorded during the dry season is low, compared to that recorded in the wet season. An overall pollution index was used, classifying surface waters from sub-clean to moderately polluted.