Groundwater, an invaluable resource crucial for irrigation and drinking purposes, significantly impacts human health and societal advancement. This study aims to evaluate the groundwater quality in the Mnasra region of the Gharb Plain, employing a comprehensive analysis of thirty samples collected from various locations, based on thirty-three physicochemical parameters. Utilizing tools like the Pollution Index of Groundwater (PIG), Nitrate Pollution Index (NPI), Water Quality Index (WQI), Irrigation Water Quality Index (IWQI), as well as Multivariate Statistical Approaches (MSA), and the Geographic Information System (GIS), this research identifies the sources of groundwater pollution. The results revealed Ca²⁺ dominance among cations and Cl⁻ as the primary anion. The Piper and Gibbs diagrams illustrated the prevalent Ca²⁺-Cl⁻ water type and the significance of water–rock interactions, respectively. The PIG values indicated that 86.66% of samples exhibited “Insignificant pollution”. NPI showed notable nitrate pollution (1.48 to 7.06), with 83.33% of samples rated “Good” for drinking based on the WQI. The IWQI revealed that 80% of samples were classified as “Excellent” and 16.66% as “Good”. Spatial analysis identified the eastern and southern sections as highly contaminated due to agricultural activities. These findings provide valuable insights for decision-makers to manage groundwater resources and promote sustainable water management in the Gharb region.

Assessing groundwater quality is essential for ensuring the sustainability of agriculture and ecosystems. This study evaluates groundwater contamination by heavy metals (HMs) using GIS approaches, multivariate statistical analysis (MSA), pollution indices (heavy metal pollution index (HPI), metal index (MI), degree of contamination (C_d), ecological risk index (ERI), and pollution index (PI)), and human health risk assessment (HHRA). The results revealed significant variations in heavy metal concentrations across the study area, with the highest concentrations found in the southern and southeastern parts, characterized by intense agricultural activities and uncontrolled landfills. Statistical analyses indicated both natural and anthropogenic sources of contamination. Pollution indices showed medium to high water pollution levels, with HPI values ranging from 20.23 to 128.60, MI values from 3.34 to 12.17, and Cd values from 2.90 to 11.73, indicating varying degrees of contamination. ERI values suggested a low ecological risk across all samples. However, health risk assessments highlighted significant non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks, particularly for children, with TCR values for some heavy metals like Ni and Cr exceeding safe limits, indicating potential health hazards. The findings provide a valuable framework for policymakers to develop targeted strategies for mitigating groundwater contamination and ensuring sustainable water quality management.

Agricultural activities generate substantial quantities of waste, which are often relegated to landfills or incineration. However, these residues can be effectively valorized through composting, which transforms them into valuable organic fertilizers (OF). Composting agricultural waste (AW) mitigates environmental impacts and offers significant benefits in enhancing soil fertility and productivity. This practice is particularly beneficial in regions with low soil fertility and degraded land, where compost can improve soil health and productivity. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the literature on the valorization of AW through composting, focusing on its environmental, agricultural, and economic impacts on soil health, especially in Morocco’s agricultural ecosystems. It synthesizes findings from studies published over the past two decades to offer critical insights and recommendations for optimizing composting practices. By systematically evaluating, this review highlights composting as a pivotal strategy for enhancing soil health, reducing environmental impact, and promoting sustainable AW management. Future research is essential to explore opportunities for optimizing the composting process, including content enhancement and processing duration. In summary, the composting process can be seen as an effective and sustainable solution that fits within the principles of circular economy (CE) and that requires careful evaluation and ongoing monitoring.

Accurate assessment of soil quality is crucial for sustainable agriculture and soil conservation. Thus, this study aimed to assess soil quality in the agricultural ecosystem of the Mnasra region within the Gharb Plain of Morocco, employing a comprehensive approach integrating multivariate analysis and geostatistical techniques. Thirty soil samples were collected from the surface layers across thirty selected sites. The results showed significant variations in soil properties across the study area, influenced by factors such as soil texture, parent material, and agricultural practices. Pearson correlation and principal component analysis (PCA) were employed to analyze the relationships among soil properties and compute the Soil Quality Index (SQI). The SQI revealed values ranging from 0.48 to 0.74, with 46.66% of sampled soils classified as “Good” and 53.33% as “Fair”. Geostatistical analysis, particularly ordinary kriging (OK) interpolation and semivariogram modeling, highlighted the spatial variability of soil properties, aiding in mapping soil quality across the landscape. The integrated approach demonstrates the importance of combining field assessments, statistical analyses, and geospatial techniques for comprehensive soil quality evaluation and informed land management decisions. These findings offer valuable insights for decision-makers in monitoring and managing agricultural land to promote sustainable development in the Gharb region of Morocco.

Groundwater plays a critical role in supporting a wide range of human activities. However, it faces substantial challenges due to the growing demand for water and reduced precipitation resulting from climate change. Various studies have revealed the high vulnerability of Morocco's groundwater to contamination from multiple anthropogenic sources. This review focuses on assessing nitrate and salinization pollution in Moroccan groundwater, with a specific emphasis on the Gharb region. A comprehensive analysis of research conducted from 2010 to 2023, using reputable databases, underscores the pressing need to address groundwater pollution in Morocco, especially in the Gharb region. The results highlight the significant challenges faced by Morocco's groundwater resources. Agricultural practices and poorly designed irrigation systems are identified as primary contributors to nitrate contamination. Additionally, salinization in the region is influenced by factors such as seawater intrusion, hydrogeological characteristics, and irrigation practices. An integrated approach, combining laboratory analysis, remote sensing, geospatial tools, modeling, and geographic information systems technology, has proven to be effective in addressing the complex issues of assessing groundwater pollution due to nitrate and salinization. This survey presents a comprehensive framework for future research and decision-making processes aimed at achieving sustainable water resource management, preserving the groundwater heritage and safeguarding public health.

This study investigates the effectiveness of organic compost as a sustainable alternative to chemical fertilizers for improving soil health and enhancing crop productivity under greenhouse conditions. The experiment focused on sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), an aromatic herb highly sensitive to soil fertility and structure, cultivated in sandy loam soil—a prevalent substrate in arid and semi-arid regions, often limited by poor water and nutrient retention. Using a randomized complete block design with six compost application rates, this study evaluated the physicochemical, biochemical, and agronomic responses of both soil and plants. The results demonstrated significant improvements across all parameters (p < 0.05), with the 30 t/ha compost treatment yielding the most notable enhancements in soil structure, nutrient content, and plant performance while maintaining acceptable levels of heavy metals. Soil organic matter (SOM) increased to 13.71%, while shoot length (SL), essential oil content (EOC), and the 100-seed weight improved to 42 cm, 0.83%, and 0.32 g, respectively, compared to the control. These finding underscore the benefits of high compost application rates in boosting greenhouse horticultural productivity while promoting sustainable agriculture. Moreover, this study supports the reduction in chemical fertilizer dependency and encourages the adoption of circular economy principles (CEPs) through organic waste recycling.