Cartography of coastal aquifers in the Essaouira region by application of the geo-electric method (Essaouira, Morocco) Ouzerbane
Résumé
The region of ace that is given a heavy responsibility in the socio-economic development
of Morocco. This development implies a significant increase in water needs in the coming years
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for both drinking water supply and for irrigation and industry. This sector, like the other regions
of Morocco, has experienced a significant decrease in water intake in quantity and quality. This
situation has led to the reduction of agricultural productivity and the degradation of several
ecosystems. However, this basin has an aquifer system consisting of a set of uneven aquifers
that can offer a natural regulating capacity that makes them valuable to ensure a safe and steady
supply. The reserve also makes it possible to meet seasonal needs through temporary overexploitation
to the extent that replenishment is possible.
The so-called synclinal study area of Essaouira is part of the coastal zone of the basin with
an area of approximately 1418 km2. It is limited to the North by Jbeb Hadid, to the South by
Tidzi River, to the East by the reliefs of South Chiadma, reliefs of North Haha and by the Tidzi
slide, and to the West by the Atlantic Ocean.
Geo-electrical prospecting by vertical electrical soundings is a geophysical method that,
applied in hydrogeology, will provide information on the geometry of possible reservoirs, their
lithological nature and the spatial evolution of these characteristics. The interpretation of the
results of this study, in correlation with the mechanical drilling, made it possible to stand out
from the quantitative and qualitative maps, the different variations of apparent resistivity of the
geological layers constituting the aquifer and aquiclude. The analysis of these maps shows that
the area around the Qsob River is of interest from a hydrogeological point of view.