The Physicochemical Characteristics of Surface Water in Kenitra Province, Morocco

Abstract

Morocco, like all Mediterranean countries, experiences a stark imbalance between water demand and supply due to climate change, unevenly distributed precipitation, high temperatures, and increased demand for irrigation water, but surface water pollution also plays a role. This study aimed to evaluate the physicochemical characteristics of surface water in Kenitra province, Morocco. The water was sampled using 1.5 liter plastic bottles that were carefully washed and rinsed with demineralized water. At the point of sampling, the bottle was opened and washed with water from the site before being filled, closed, labeled, and stored at 4°C. The analysis was carried out using a multi-parameter CONSORT 535 Model. The physicochemical analysis of the water from the six sampled stations revealed the following characteristics: temperature (Avg.: 22.2 mg/L), potential hydrogen (Avg.: 7.2), electrical conductivity (Avg.: 873.1 µS/cm), biological oxygen demand (Avg.: 22.0 mg/lO2), turbidity (Avg.: 21.0 NTU), dissolved oxygen (Avg.: 6.3) and saturation (Avg.: 6.1%). Overall, the analysis showed that these waters are classed as polluted according to Moroccan standards.