Comparative physico-chemical and faunal studies of two thermal springbrooks near Sidi Harazem (Morocco)

The origin of the water of the two Sidi Harazem springs (Morocco), was found to be different. Environmental parameters made it possible to recognise three types of water : one issuing from a "cool spring", with lowest temperature (mean : 26.7 degreesC), conductivity and chloride concentration; one issuing from the "hot spring" (mean : 31.7 degreesC) with the highest temperature and high conductivity; and the one of the oued itself with into which both springs flow This oued had the highest values of pH, conductivity, chlorides, and calcium. The interstitial fauna collected by means of artificial substrates was composed of both epigean and stygobite species. Only the "cool spring" included stygobite species, the number of which generally decreased with depth.