Integration of DInSAR and SBAS radar techniques to delineate the main areas of river recharge by sediments using ALOS-PALSAR-2 data: Oued Ghis case in Morocco

Abstract

The Rif mountain range in northern Morocco comprises vulnerable lands highly susceptible to erosion, particularly water-induced erosion. This phenomenon significantly impacts the long-term sustainability of soil and water resources, including the lifespan of dam reservoirs and aquifer replenishment. Given that soil degradation is often accompanied by the transfer and accumulation of sediments over time in surface watercourses, monitoring this process using Differential Synthetic Aperture Radar Interferometry (DInSAR) provides insights into surface deformation. Integrating DInSAR techniques with the Small Baseline Subset (SBAS) approach using ALOS-PALSAR data enables the retrieval of a comprehensive deformation model over the study area. The results highlight the primary sources of erosion and sediment deposition zones. Displacement rates can reach up to 10 cm/year. Evaluation against ground truth data demonstrates that erosion and deposition rates are influenced by geological characteristics, rock mechanical properties, and topography. The good agreement between SBAS and DInSAR suggests that the SBAS technique could be reliable for identifying sediment recharge zones in these areas