Assessment of groundwater pollution using PIG index and microbiological indicators in the Angads plain, Morocco

Abstract This study assessed the hydrochemical quality of groundwater in the Angads plain using the pollution index of groundwater (PIG), and microbiological indicators. Two sampling campaigns were carried out in 2023 (wet and dry seasons), with 45 samples taken each year. The analyses revealed that...

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Main Authors: Oualid Boukich, Rihab Ben-tahar, Elkhadir Gharibi, Mohammed Bourhia, Gamal A. Shazly, Musaab Dauelbait, Mohammed Mahjoub, Bouchra El guerrouj, Youssef Smiri
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-99956-z
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author Oualid Boukich
Rihab Ben-tahar
Elkhadir Gharibi
Mohammed Bourhia
Gamal A. Shazly
Musaab Dauelbait
Mohammed Mahjoub
Bouchra El guerrouj
Youssef Smiri
author_facet Oualid Boukich
Rihab Ben-tahar
Elkhadir Gharibi
Mohammed Bourhia
Gamal A. Shazly
Musaab Dauelbait
Mohammed Mahjoub
Bouchra El guerrouj
Youssef Smiri
author_sort Oualid Boukich
collection DOAJ
description Abstract This study assessed the hydrochemical quality of groundwater in the Angads plain using the pollution index of groundwater (PIG), and microbiological indicators. Two sampling campaigns were carried out in 2023 (wet and dry seasons), with 45 samples taken each year. The analyses revealed that the majority of the ions studied exceeded the limits recommended and authorized by the World Health Organization (WHO). The PIG revealed that over 80% of samples fall into the insignificant and low pollution categories, with pollution levels increasing during the dry season. Microbiological analyses revealed the presence of fecal coliforms (FC), total coliforms (TC), intestinal enterococci (IE) and sulfate-reducing clostridium (SRC) with average levels of 52, 80, 2, and 0 CFU/100 mL during the wet season, while during the dry season these values increased to 79, 120, 3, and 0 CFU/100 mL, respectively. This study offers vital information on groundwater pollution, enabling decision makers, residents, and scientists to better identify safe water sources and areas at risk. The findings highlight the urgency of implementing effective treatment solutions and devising sustainable management plans to preserve these water resources over the long term.
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spelling doaj-art-bb54d0a1aa37467ba9ecfea30adf5e502025-08-20T03:45:48ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111610.1038/s41598-025-99956-zAssessment of groundwater pollution using PIG index and microbiological indicators in the Angads plain, MoroccoOualid Boukich0Rihab Ben-tahar1Elkhadir Gharibi2Mohammed Bourhia3Gamal A. Shazly4Musaab Dauelbait5Mohammed Mahjoub6Bouchra El guerrouj7Youssef Smiri8Laboratory for the Improvement of Agricultural Production, Biotechnology, and Environment, Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed First UniversityLaboratory for the Improvement of Agricultural Production, Biotechnology, and Environment, Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed First UniversityApplied Chemistry and Environment Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed First UniversitySwalife Biotech Ltd Unit 3D North Point House, North Point Business ParkDepartment of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, King Saud UniversityUniversity of Bahr el GhazalLaboratory for the Improvement of Agricultural Production, Biotechnology, and Environment, Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed First UniversityLaboratory for the Improvement of Agricultural Production, Biotechnology, and Environment, Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed First UniversityLaboratory for the Improvement of Agricultural Production, Biotechnology, and Environment, Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed First UniversityAbstract This study assessed the hydrochemical quality of groundwater in the Angads plain using the pollution index of groundwater (PIG), and microbiological indicators. Two sampling campaigns were carried out in 2023 (wet and dry seasons), with 45 samples taken each year. The analyses revealed that the majority of the ions studied exceeded the limits recommended and authorized by the World Health Organization (WHO). The PIG revealed that over 80% of samples fall into the insignificant and low pollution categories, with pollution levels increasing during the dry season. Microbiological analyses revealed the presence of fecal coliforms (FC), total coliforms (TC), intestinal enterococci (IE) and sulfate-reducing clostridium (SRC) with average levels of 52, 80, 2, and 0 CFU/100 mL during the wet season, while during the dry season these values increased to 79, 120, 3, and 0 CFU/100 mL, respectively. This study offers vital information on groundwater pollution, enabling decision makers, residents, and scientists to better identify safe water sources and areas at risk. The findings highlight the urgency of implementing effective treatment solutions and devising sustainable management plans to preserve these water resources over the long term.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-99956-zGroundwaterMicrobial water qualityPIGAngads plainMorocco
spellingShingle Oualid Boukich
Rihab Ben-tahar
Elkhadir Gharibi
Mohammed Bourhia
Gamal A. Shazly
Musaab Dauelbait
Mohammed Mahjoub
Bouchra El guerrouj
Youssef Smiri
Assessment of groundwater pollution using PIG index and microbiological indicators in the Angads plain, Morocco
Scientific Reports
Groundwater
Microbial water quality
PIG
Angads plain
Morocco
title Assessment of groundwater pollution using PIG index and microbiological indicators in the Angads plain, Morocco
title_full Assessment of groundwater pollution using PIG index and microbiological indicators in the Angads plain, Morocco
title_fullStr Assessment of groundwater pollution using PIG index and microbiological indicators in the Angads plain, Morocco
title_full_unstemmed Assessment of groundwater pollution using PIG index and microbiological indicators in the Angads plain, Morocco
title_short Assessment of groundwater pollution using PIG index and microbiological indicators in the Angads plain, Morocco
title_sort assessment of groundwater pollution using pig index and microbiological indicators in the angads plain morocco
topic Groundwater
Microbial water quality
PIG
Angads plain
Morocco
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-99956-z
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