Assessment of groundwater vulnerability to pollution of a wetland watershed: The case study of the Oualidia-Sidi Moussa wetland, Morocco

The susceptibility of wetlands to continental pollution is closely related to the vulnerability of their surface and sub-surface watersheds. Therefore, to help manage wetlands, especially those fed by groundwater, it can be useful to assess the vulnerability of their aquifers. This approach is illustrated by the case study of the wetland of Oualidia-Sidi Moussa. Firstly, the hydrogeological basin of the wetland was identified. Vulnerability mapping was then performed using the specific Susceptibility Index (SI) method. Results indicated that the natural protection against pollution of the watershed of the Oualidia-Sidi Moussa wetland was low, and that the system was indeed affected by anthropogenic pollution. Preservation of its ecological value requires urgent management actions.