The Mw 6.8 El Haouz earthquake of September 8, 2023, triggered extensive co-seismic mass movements in the Moroccan High Atlas. This study presents the first comprehensive inventory and spatial analysis of slope instabilities associated with this event. Using an integrated approach based on...
Solid waste management poses a significant challenge to sustainable development. Locating suitable landfill sites is a key difficulty. This study utilizes the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) with a Geographic Information System (GIS) to identify potential landfill locations in Fez province, Morocco. Nine criteria were evaluated for the study area's suitability, including distance from surface water, distance from buildings, distance from roads, distance from protected areas, distance from forests, distance from farmland, elevation, slope, and slope direction. AHP determined criteria weights, and the Consistency Ratio (CR) ensured judgment reliability. Results highlight proximity to residential areas as the most critical factor, followed by distance from surface water and roads. The suitability map indicates the south and southeast of the province as more suitable for landfill placement than the urban areas, parks, and gardens in the north and northwest. These findings aid decision-makers in improving solid waste management practices in Fez province, Morocco.
1 March 2025 in Ecological Engineering & Environmental Technology
Flow-like landslides represent a major natural hazard, particularly in mountainous environments where steep slopes and geodynamic processes increase risks. These gravitational phenomena can lead to significant human losses and substantial material damage, as demonstrated by the tragic event that...
1 June 2024 in Ecological Engineering & Environmental Technology
Coastal areas, vital for local communities, are subject to significant changes requiring rigorous management. This study focuses on assessing the evolution of the Atlantic coastline between Larache and Moulay Bousselham over a period of 60 years, with an emphasis on erosion and accretion risks....
1 August 2024 in Ecological Engineering & Environmental Technology
The aim of this study is to identify the main pollutants and evaluate the mechanisms of sediment transport from land to sea. This goal is justified by environmental pollution in the area associated with dredging and port activities. The objective is planned to be achieved by investigating the...
In arid and semi-arid regions, groundwater recharge is a key process controlling the sustainability of subsurface water resources. This study aims to assess and map the groundwater recharge potential of the Oued Cherrat watershed (Morocco) using an integrated approach combining Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). Six controlling factors were considered: lithology, lineament density, drainage network density, slope, land use/land cover derived from the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), and rainfall. The relative weights of these factors were determined through pairwise comparisons using the Saaty fundamental scale, and the consistency of the judgments was verified (CR < 0.1). The reclassified thematic layers were integrated into a GIS-based weighted overlay model to generate the groundwater recharge potential map. Five recharge classes were identified, ranging from very low to very high. The results show that areas with moderate recharge potential are the most widespread (approximately 37% of the watershed), while high and very high potential zones account for about 25% of the total area. These zones are mainly associated with permeable lithologies, high densities of structural discontinuities, gentle slopes, and low drainage density. In contrast, low to very low recharge potential areas are related to low-permeability formations, steep slopes, and dense drainage networks. The resulting recharge potential map provides a useful decision-support tool for sustainable groundwater management and for identifying priority areas for aquifer protection and artificial recharge planning in the Oued Cherrat watershed.