Mineralization process of spring in carbonate coastal aquifer in the massif Bokkoya (Central Rif, Morocco)

The study focuses on the monitoring of physico-chemical parameters and major chemistry elements in water from six springs and sinks during two seasons, rainy and dry. Samples taken in the coastal karst aquifer massif Bokkoya Al-Hoceima, were analyzed for their chemical quality and to quantify their state of anthropogenic and / or natural contamination, scientific and practical interest, because local population used to supply drinking water. The waters of the internal Rif region are highly mineralized and marked by a chloride-sodium or sodium-sulfated facies to connect mainly to a process of marine intrusion and dissolution of evaporitic minerals included in the on-site rocks. This mineralization of marine origin is partly due to the intensive exploitation of groundwater but also to landslides, that are known in the area, and which accelerate the phenomenon of saltwater intrusion in the coastal karstic aquifer. The salinity of this water presente levels of salinization C3 and C4 as classified by Wilcox log and water of the Bokkoya massif were qualified as very hard. The comparison of hydrochemical results to the quality standards for drinking water set by the World Health Organization shows that the majority of the water withdrawal is not suitable for consumption, especially because of the high levels of EC, TDS and Cl- related to marine intrusion, together with the urban pollution factor which increases the content of NO-3 in waters