title: Isotopes to assess sustainability of overexploited groundwater in the Souss-Massa system (Morocco).
abstract: Groundwater depletion and changes in isotopic and chemical contents constitute the main indicators of overexploitation, recharge, and flow paths in the Souss-Massa aquifer. These indicators highlight processes concerning sustainability of water resources in the aquifer (e.g. surface/groundwater interaction, recharge processes, and marine intrusion). The spatial variation of stable and radioactive isotopic contents indicates a mixing of modern and old water within the system. Recent recharge was observed mainly along the Souss River (the major surface-water drainage in the study area) and in the irrigated areas. Mapping of chemical and isotopic variation shows that the area is affected by abstraction, irrigation water return, and the evolution of modern recharge in time and space. The processes, distribution, and timing of groundwater flow are influenced by short- and long-term effects; long-term recharge is dependent on climatic conditions. This study can be used to make informed decisions about water-resource allocation and alternative management practices.
authors.affiliation: a Applied Geology and Geo-Environment Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences , Ibn Zohr University , City Dakhla , Agadir , Morocco.|b Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Technologies , Sultan Moulay Slimane University , Béni Mellal , Morocco.
authors.forename: Mohammed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hssaisoune
authors.affiliation: a Applied Geology and Geo-Environment Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences , Ibn Zohr University , City Dakhla , Agadir , Morocco.
authors.forename: Lhoussaine
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bouchaou
authors.affiliation: a Applied Geology and Geo-Environment Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences , Ibn Zohr University , City Dakhla , Agadir , Morocco.
authors.forename: Baudelaire
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: N'da
authors.affiliation: a Applied Geology and Geo-Environment Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences , Ibn Zohr University , City Dakhla , Agadir , Morocco.
authors.forename: Mouna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Malki
authors.affiliation: a Applied Geology and Geo-Environment Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences , Ibn Zohr University , City Dakhla , Agadir , Morocco.
authors.forename: Houria
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Abahous
authors.affiliation: c Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences , University of Kentucky , Lexington , KY , USA.
authors.forename: Alan E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Fryar
mesh_terms: D002247:Carbon Isotopes / Q000032:analysis; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D060587:Groundwater / Q000032:analysis*; D014872:Water Movements; D062066:Water Resources
chemical_list: D002247:Carbon Isotopes
keywords: Carbon-14; Morocco; Souss-Massa aquifer; groundwater; hydrogen-2; hydrogen-3; isotope hydrology; overexploitation; oxygen-18; sustainability