Groundwater potential delineation in the Akka basin, southwest Morocco, has been determined through the combination of geospatial techniques and geological data. The geometric average and expected value are two multi-criteria approaches used to integrate a set of factors–data for which the weights of each factor are assigned using the fuzzy logic function, which transforms values of factors influencing groundwater presence in a range of [0, 1]. The efficiency factors used in this study are the lineament density, node density, drainage density, distance from rivers, distance from lineament, permeability, slope, topographic witness index, plan curvature, and profile curvature. Thereafter, the groundwater potential map was generated in a GIS environment. To assess and compare the efficiency of the two models, the well data existing in the basin were used to choose the most efficient model. For that reason, the prediction area (P–A) graph, the normalized density (N_d), and its weight (W_e) were applied to estimate the capacity of each model to predict the target area. The analysis shows that the expected value model (N_d = 1.86 and W_e = 0.62) is more efficient than the geometric average model (Nd = 0.96 and We = −0.04). The results of the expected value model can be used in the future planning and management of water resources in the Akka basin.

Water scarcity affects all continents, with approximately 1.2 billion people living in areas where water is physically lacking. This scarcity is more accentuated in countries with an arid climate, and its impact becomes more threatening when the economy depends mainly on it. The Kingdom of Morocco, with its agricultural vocation, is one of them, especially in its southern regions. Therefore, mapping areas with high groundwater potential based on available geospatial data allows for optimizing the choice of a future well in such areas. Geometric average and fractal models were used to assess and delineate potential groundwater areas in the Tissent basin, Southeast Morocco. Eight factors, including topography, geology, hydrology, and hydrogeology, influencing the distribution of water resources was used. The formation permeability factor presents the most significant impact among the others, although it is directly related to most of them. The areas located in the central and downstream part of the basin are characterized by a high water potentiality due to increased geological formations’ permeability near the drainage system, which constitutes a recharge zone, and a low slope allowing a prolonged water-formation contact time favoring a gradual infiltration of the water towards the deep aquifers. The groundwater potential map has been edited and validated by comparing it with data from 52 wells scattered throughout the basin. The favorable potential sectors cover 15.81% of the basin’s total area. The moderate ones account for 21.36% while the unfavorable areas cover 62.83%. These results aim to provide policymakers and managers with a guide map for groundwater research and reduce hydrogeological investigation costs.

Groundwater from alluvial aquifers is a critical source of water supply for rural agriculture, particularly in semi-arid and arid regions. Effective management of these aquifers requires an understanding of the factors that influence their water resources. In this study, we present a case study of the Tata watershed in southeastern Morocco, where the economy is heavily dependent on agriculture and relies exclusively on groundwater. We demonstrate the importance of integrating geological, hydrogeological, and geophysical methods to characterize the aquifer and evaluate groundwater productivity. Analysis of 64 data wells tapping into the aquifer revealed significant disparities in flow yields, ranging from 0.05 to 15.50 L per second. The highest yields were found between depths of 12 and 43 m, which correspond to the alluvium and the altered and fractured part of its substrate. The maximum alluvial thickness of 57 m was determined using geo-electrical prospecting. A piezometric map was created to define the recharge zones, which correspond to the lateral contributions of the bordering Georgian limestones, and infiltration of both rain and surface water along the Tata wadi. Since 1987, there has been a continuous drop in groundwater level, which can be attributed to the increase in irrigated areas following financial incentives provided by the Moroccan government to the agricultural sector. A proposal has been made for the construction of a recharge dam to enable the recharge of the alluvial aquifer. This development is expected to serve a dual purpose by mitigating the deleterious impacts of flooding and facilitating the gradual water infiltration of the alluvial aquifer. This case study provides insights into the hydrodynamics of the aquifer and establishes a simplified model of its functioning. These findings have important implications for the management of alluvial aquifers in similar regions.

Natural geogenic effects lead to alterations in soil heavy metal concentrations. This study assesses the presence of elevated trace-element concentrations in the Oued Irriri watershed in southeastern Morocco. ASTER satellite imagery, geochemical, and aeromagnetic data are combined to determine the origin of these anomalies. Processing of ASTER images delineated alteration zones coinciding with areas of high heavy metal anomalies by detecting hydrothermal alteration minerals, including muscovite, montmorillonite, illite, hematite, jarosite, chlorite, and epidote. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of geochemical data distribution in soils enabled the characterization of variations in trace-element concentrations, the extraction of geochemical anomalies, and the identification of potential sources of contamination. Comparing satellite image processing results with geochemical analyses facilitated the production of a geogenic enrichment map. The study results indicate high enrichment levels of zinc, Molybdenum, and bismuth in the western basin, of purely lithological origin. Hydrothermal alteration surfaces intersect geochemical anomaly zones in the north and northeast, primarily showing the impact of fault rooting on the surface deposition of Cu, Ba, Hg, and Pb-rich deposits. This study developed a geogenic enrichment map indicating naturally affected areas, identifying potential risks to eco-environmental systems, and better preventing the effects of geogenic enrichment.