Hydrodynamic characterization of a Sahelian coastal aquifer using the ocean tide effect (Dridrate Aquifer, Morocco)

In wells tapping coastal aquifers, piezometric fluctuations can be observed in response to the ocean tide. Simultaneous recordings of the ocean tide and of the piezometric variations may provide a basis for characterizing the hydrodynamics of the aquifer. This approach was attempted to characterize...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inHydrological sciences journal Vol. 48; no. 3; pp. 441 - 454
Main Authors FAKIR, YOUNES, RAZACK, MOUMTAZ
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Wallingford Taylor & Francis Group 01.06.2003
IAHS Press
Subjects
aquifère côtier
aquifère de Dridrate
coastal aquifer
diffusivité
Dridrate aquifer
Earth sciences
Earth, ocean, space
effet de marée
Exact sciences and technology
hydraulic diffusivity
hydrodynamics
hydrodynamique
Hydrogeology
Hydrology. Hydrogeology
Marine
Maroc
Morocco
tide effect
Morocco
North Africa
ASE, Morocco
models
simulation
Africa
ground water
water table
hydrodynamics
impacts
heterogeneity
coastal environment
confined aquifers
boreholes
aquifers
fluctuations
observations
diffusivity
oceanic tides
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Summary:In wells tapping coastal aquifers, piezometric fluctuations can be observed in response to the ocean tide. Simultaneous recordings of the ocean tide and of the piezometric variations may provide a basis for characterizing the hydrodynamics of the aquifer. This approach was attempted to characterize the Dridrate aquifer, located on the Atlantic coast of Morocco. This aquifer accounts for most of the regional drinking water resources. However, its hydrodynamic characteristics are very poorly known. The study compares observed and simulated piezometric fluctuations, under various assumptions (confined, semi-confined aquifer). The model, which best explains the hydrodynamic behaviour of this aquifer is a semi-confined and strongly heterogeneous aquifer model (calculated hydraulic diffusivity values vary over several orders of magnitude). This result is new and rather surprising, since to date this aquifer was considered confined in view of its geological setting. Consequently, new questions are raised regarding the protection and management of the groundwater resources of this aquifer.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-2
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
ObjectType-Feature-1
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ISSN:0262-6667
2150-3435
DOI:10.1623/hysj.48.3.441.45281