Water, Vol. 17, Pages 3488: Climate Change and Groundwater Sustainability in the Berrechid Aquifer (Morocco): Projections to 2050 Under Regulated Abstraction Scenario

Water doi: 10.3390/w17243488

Authors:
Adil Zerouali
Mohamed Jalal El Hamidi
Abdelkader Larabi
Mohamed Faouzi
Omar Chafik

The Berrechid aquifer, located in the Berrechid region of Morocco, represents one of the main groundwater resources used for drinking water supply, irrigation, and industrial activities. It also plays a vital role in supporting domestic and agricultural needs. However, the aquifer faces major challenges, including overexploitation, water quality degradation, and seawater intrusion. This study examines the impacts of climate change on the Berrechid aquifer and evaluates the most appropriate groundwater-withdrawal management strategies to ensure sustainable use of the resource and maintain aquifer stability. To investigate this, we employed the Groundwater Modeling System (GMS) software to conduct both steady-state and transient simulations. Climate change impacts were incorporated through projections of natural recharge derived from climate models. Following calibration, the model provided projections of aquifer behavior up to 2050 under optimistic scenarios. The results offer valuable insights into the evolution of the Berrechid aquifer under climate change. They highlight the potential impacts on recharge rates and groundwater availability. Such information is crucial for guiding decision-making and developing sustainable strategies for managing this essential resource in the face of future climatic uncertainties.

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Adil Zerouali www.mdpi.com