Water quality critically affects human health and environmental sustainability. Surface water bodies, such as rivers, lakes, and reservoirs, are increasingly threatened by pollution from various sources, including agriculture, industry, and urban.
Morocco, nestled in North Africa, boasts a coastline by both the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, while its interior is marked by the majestic Atlas Mountains and the vast expanse of the Sahara Desert. Irrigation plays a vital role in Moroccan agriculture, with irrigated areas accounting for roughly 1.46 million hectares, nearly 17% of the nation’s total agricultural land. This resource also serves as a vital source of drinking water for significant rural populations, particularly in the Big, Middle, and Small Atlas regions.
However, excessive agricultural practices and grown urbanization have placed contentious pressure on surface water resources and have led to potentially negative impacts on the physicochemical characteristics of water and water quality.
Adding to the challenge, Morocco, like many other nations suffers from surface water pollution due to the semi-arid climate that pervades most of its areas, droughts, and human pollution. As a result, a significant risk threatens humans’ and animals’ lives, where Surface water is considered as one of the most important sources of traditional agricultural usage where most farmers use surface water networks to irrigate their fields.
The Sebou basin, which contains 30% of Morocco’s water resources, is heavily polluted. The two main rivers in Morocco, Sebou and Oum er-Rbia, experience critical water situations several times a year. Morocco’s aquifers are also being depleted and degraded. This is due to Nitrate pollution from fertilizers, sewage, and manure.
In an Independent Report focusing on the assessment of water quality in surface water bodies of Morocco using Geospatial distribution and machine learning algorithms, there was investigation done on the occurrence of heavy metals in three rivers (Nfifikh, Hassar, and El Maleh) in Mohammedia prefecture, Morocco.
The study also evaluated the performance of machine learning algorithms in predicting water quality.
The study collected water samples from the three rivers during two seasons: winter and spring. The samples were analyzed for five heavy metals: cadmium, iron, copper, zinc, and lead.
Machine Learning Algorithms
Three machine learning algorithms, namely random forest (RF), support vector machine (SVM), and artificial neural network (ANN), were used to predict water quality based on the concentrations of heavy metals and other environmental factors.
The study found that the concentrations of heavy metals were generally lower in the winter season than in the spring season. The HPI values were also lower in the winter season, indicating better water quality. The HQ values were less than 1 for all three rivers, suggesting no adverse health effects from exposure to heavy metals. However, the CR assessment revealed a potential cancer risk of 1 in 100 people during a lifetime of 70 years.
Water pollution in Mohammedia prefecture’s rivers predates their entry into the prefecture’s boundaries, as confirmed by data from control points. This finding is further supported by the water quality analysis of Douar-El-Marja lagoon, located near the prefecture’s industrial zones. Further investigation into river pollution upstream of Mohammedia prefecture is crucial to identify the sources of contamination and implement effective mitigation strategies.
The study demonstrated the potential of machine learning algorithms for predicting water quality in surface water bodies. The results also highlight the importance of regular monitoring and assessment of water quality to identify and address potential pollution sources.
There is a need to implement regular monitoring and assessment of water quality in surface water bodies. This is to identify and address potential pollution sources to reduce heavy metal contamination. This can be done by developing and implement effective water pollution control measures.
Another recommendation from the report was to raise awareness among the public about the importance of water quality and the potential health risks associated with water pollution. Implementing sustainable agricultural practices, minimizing industrial waste, and improving wastewater treatment infrastructure are crucial steps towards safeguarding the health of both humans and the environment. Continued research and monitoring are essential to ensure long-term water quality and resource availability in Morocco.
