Assessment of groundwater physicochemical quality in the vicinity of the Berkane controlled landfill (Morocco) [Evaluation de la qualité physico-chimique des eaux souterraines dans le voisinage de la décharge contrôlée de Berkane (Maroc)]

The aim of this study is to evaluate the physicochemical quality of groundwater in the de vicinity of the berkane landfill which started in 2004. water of six wells was sampled during november 2013 and october 2014. in addition to ph,salinity and conductivity eight major chemical elements (na+,k+,ca2+,mg2+,cl-,no3 -,hco3 - et so4 2-) and eight heavy metals (pb,zn,cd,fe,cu,co,ni and cr) were analyzed. results show a strong mineralization and high amounts of cl-,so4 -,ca2+,mg2+ and hco3 -. groundwater has two facies: a chlorinated sodic and potassium facies,and a chlorinated-sulfated,calcic and magnesium facies. the nitrates values varied between 22.30 and 24.80 mg.l-1; without exceeding the world health organization (who) drink water standards. heavy metal's analysis indicated that the pb and zn showed the highest values,which varying from 0 to 0.1148 mg.l-1 for pb and 0.0083 to 0.3129 mg.l-1 for zn. the contents of pb exceed the who drink water standards (0.01 mg.l-1). these chemical anomalies may either have a geological origin,related to the landfill site dysfunction or a contribution of both. the hydro-geological and geochemical data of the study area suggest that the deterioration of these waters is mainly due to a geological origin.