Ecological assessment of Sebou River waters in agricultural irrigation (Taouanate - Morocco)

Abstract

The town Kariat Bamohamed is an agricultural region located to the west of the city of Taounate and north of the city of Fez. The surface waters in the region are mainly composed by the Sebou river and many natural springs. These waters are used for irrigation and drinking. Our recent study is based on the diagnosis and analysis of physico-chemical parameters such as T°C, pH, CE, MES, O2, BOD5, COD, Cl-, PO43-, NH4+ and NO3-, along the middle Sebou river region of Kariat Bamohamed. The study mean to establish a diagnosis of the state of pollution of the surface waters of this part of the river. Water sampling was carried out at four study stations during flood period and during low water period. In the light of the results obtained on the surface waters of the Sebou river, it is concluded to a degradation of water quality in both the winter and summer periods. In particular, an increase in the values ​​of ammonium, COD and BOD5 in addition to an acidic pH due to margine discharges and leaching of fertilizers and other discharges of wastewaters from the cities of Fez and Kariat Bamohamed.