article · Sustainability
Surface water quality in the Nador Canal in Morocco undergoes marked seasonal shifts driven by rainfall patterns and agricultural activity. Examination of twenty-two sites along the waterway revealed that water quality declines in summer and generally improves in winter. Chemical characteristics shift from a sodium chloride dominance in summer to a mixed calcium, sodium, and bicarbonate composition during winter. Assessments using the water quality index classified the water as unsuitable for drinking year-round, yet suitable for irrigation in all seasons. Principal component analysis confirmed these seasonal dynamics, showing that major ions reflect natural and human influences across both seasons. During winter, heavy metals and nutrients from agricultural and industrial runoff become especially prominent. These findings demonstrate the necessity of adaptive water resource management to protect soil and crop health throughout changing seasonal conditions.
Polluted water sources threaten ecosystems and public health, particularly where communities depend heavily on open waterways for farming. By identifying how seasonal weather and runoff alter chemical contamination, environmental authorities can design timely interventions. Establishing that water safe for crop irrigation remains unsafe for drinking is crucial for safeguarding local populations and maintaining long-term agricultural soil health.
This research is early-stage environmental assessment rather than a commercial technology. The findings could be utilised by local water management authorities, irrigation operators, and environmental monitoring agencies to optimise seasonal water use strategies and pollution control measures. However, the abstract does not describe a direct commercial product, proprietary software, or a specific technology commercialisation pathway.
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In recent decades, water pollution has become a major concern, threatening both humans and natural ecosystems. This study aims to analyze seasonal variations in the quality of surface water of the Nador Canal in Morocco, using the water quality index (WQI) and principal component analysis (PCA). Surface water samples from 22 sites along the canal were analyzed for physical, chemical, and heavy metal parameters. The results of the study revealed significant seasonal variations, with water quality decreasing in the summer months, while its quality generally improved in winter. The predominant water type was Na+-Cl− in summer, while it was the mixed Ca2+-Na+-HCO3− water type in winter. WQI values also varied seasonally, with an average of 113.04 in summer and 160.6 in winter, classifying the water as unsuitable for drinking but suitable for irrigation throughout the year. The results of the water quality index are consistent with the results of the principal component analysis of surface water in the Nador Canal, where the results of the principal component analysis showed that there are significant seasonal variations in water quality. In both summer and winter, major ions like magnesium, sodium, and calcium predominantly indicate influences from natural and anthropogenic sources. In winter, heavy metals and nutrients, signaling pollution from industrial and agricultural runoff, become especially prominent. These variations are influenced by rainfall patterns and agricultural runoff, emphasizing the need for adaptive water management practices to maintain crop and soil health. This study provides new insights into the dynamic interplay between seasonal factors and water quality, offering valuable guidance for local water resource management.
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DOI: 10.3390/su16135644
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