Long-Term Evolution of Water Quality and Interactions with Climate Change. Case of the Bab Louta Reservoir (Taza, Morocco)

Abdelaziz Zouhir; Jamal Naoura; Khalil Hammani; Lahcen Benaabidate; Laila Laraki; Mohammed El Alami; Abdelilah Belhaj

doi:10.7494/geom.2026.20.5.129

Geomatics and Environmental Engineering, vol. 20, no. 5

Issue

Vol. 20 No. 5 (2026): Geomatics and Environmental Engineering

Issue Published : Oct 14, 2026

Date Log

Submitted

Sep 23, 2025

Accepted

Jun 17, 2026

Published

Oct 14, 2026

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Long-Term Evolution of Water Quality and Interactions with Climate Change. Case of the Bab Louta Reservoir (Taza, Morocco)

https://doi.org/10.7494/geom.2026.20.5.129

Abdelaziz Zouhir

Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Multidisciplinary Faculty of Taza, Geo-Resources and Environment Laboratory (LGRE), Taza, Morocco

https://orcid.org/0009-0002-8791-1079

Jamal Naoura

Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Multidisciplinary Faculty of Taza, Geo-Resources and Environment Laboratory (LGRE), Taza, Morocco

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3281-2738

Khalil Hammani

Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Multidisciplinary Faculty of Taza, Geo-Resources and Environment Laboratory (LGRE), Taza, Morocco

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4005-4244

Lahcen Benaabidate

Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, Department of Environment, Laboratory of Functional Ecology and Environment Engineering, Fez, Morocco

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5776-7638

Laila Laraki

National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water, Water Quality Control Department, Treatment Plant, Rabat, Morocco

Mohammed El Alami

National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water, Water Quality Control Department, Treatment Plant, Rabat, Morocco

https://orcid.org/0009-0002-8044-8325

Abdelilah Belhaj

National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water, Water Quality Control Department, Treatment Plant, Rabat, Morocco

Corresponding Author(s) : Abdelaziz Zouhir

abdelaziz.zouhir@usmba.ac.ma

Geomatics and Environmental Engineering, Vol. 20 No. 5 (2026): Geomatics and Environmental Engineering
Article Published : Oct 14, 2026

Abstract

Bab Louta Dam, located about 15 km from Tahla town in Morocco, has shown significant interactions between changes in water quality and climate change since it was filled in 2001. The objective is to conduct a study of the water quality, assess the effects of climate change on the ecological balance, and analyse water quality trends using appropriate technical tools. The results obtained showed a satisfactory quality of the Bab Louta reservoir for the production of water for food use, a firm thermal stratification, the occurrence of anoxic conditions in deep waters towards the end of the summer period, and the presence of undesirable elements, particularly manganese, iron, and hydrogen sulfide, requiring advanced conventional treatment. The plankton analysis shows a notable algal biomass and a marked trend towards a eutrophic state. This study made it possible to identify the mechanisms by which climate change affects the water quality of the Bab Louta dam and its ecological balance, to establish correlations between different physicochemical, hydro biological, and climatological parameters, to carry out a predictive analysis of water quality in relation to future climate changes, and to propose remedies for water quality problems related to future climate changes.

Keywords

Bab Louta Tahla eutrophication and climate change water treatment water quality

Zouhir, A., Naoura, J., Hammani, K., Benaabidate, L., Laraki, L., El Alami, M., & Belhaj, A. (2026). Long-Term Evolution of Water Quality and Interactions with Climate Change. Case of the Bab Louta Reservoir (Taza, Morocco). Geomatics and Environmental Engineering, 20(5), 129–156. https://doi.org/10.7494/geom.2026.20.5.129

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References

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References

Agence du Bassin Hydraulique du Sebou: Présentation du bassin du SebouCartes hydrologiques et eaux de surface. ABHS, Fès 2016.

Achmit M., Sbai G., Aouniti A., Loukili M.: Optimisation du choix de la zone du pompage des eaux de barrage Bab Louta (Taza, Maroc). European Scientific Journal, vol. 13(12), 2017, pp. 231–248. https://doi.org/10.19044/esj.2017.v13n12p231.

Kessabi R., Hanchane M., Krakauer N.Y., Aboubi I., El Kassioui J., El Khazzan B.: Annual, seasonal, and monthly rainfall trend analysis through non-parametric tests in the Sebou River Basin (SRB), northern Morocco. Climate, vol. 10(11), 2022, 170. https://doi.org/10.3390/cli10110170.

International Organization for Standardization: General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories (ISO/IEC 17025:2017). ISO, Geneva 2017.

Climate Centre, IFRC: Morocco Climate Fact Sheet. Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre, The Hague 2021. https://prddsgofilestorage.blob.core.windows.net/api/documents/Morocco_-_Climate_Fact_Sheet/MOROCCO_Climate_Fact_Sheet_EN.pdf.

Debrach J.: Notes sur les climats du Maroc occidental. Maroc Médical, vol. 32(342), 1953, pp. 1122–1134.

Bagnouls F., Gaussen H.: Saison sèche et indice xérothermique. Bulletin de la Société d’Histoire Naturelle de Toulouse, vol. 88(3–4), 1953, pp. 193–239.

Emberger L.: Sur une formule applicable en géographie botanique. Comptes Rendus de l’Académie des Sciences, vol. 191, 1930, pp. 389–391.

Sauvage C.: Atlas du Maroc. Notices explicatives. Section II, physique du globe et météorologie. Planche n° 6b. Étages bioclimatiques. Comité national de géographie du Maroc, Rabat 1963.

Agence Nationale de la Conservation Foncière, du Cadastre et de la Cartographie: Étude d’aménagement de la forêt de Bab Louta. Service Provincial des Eaux et Forêts, Taza 2015.

Agence de Bassin Hydraulique du Sebou: Annuaire hydrologique et données météorologiques de la station Taza 1981–2010. ABHS, Fès 2012.

Minister of Equipment and Minister in Charge of Land Use Planning, Urban Planning, Housing and Environment: Joint Order No. 1277-01 of 10 Chaabane 1423 (17 October 2002) laying down quality standards for surface water used for the production of drinking water (Official Bulletin No. 5062 of 5 December 2002, pp. 1523–1525). Secrétariat Général du Gouvernement, Rabat 2002.

Institut Marocain de Normalisation: Qualité des eaux à usage alimentaire (Norme Marocaine NM 03.7.001-2020). IMANOR, Rabat 2020.

Lampert W., Sommer U.: Limnoecology: The Ecology of Lakes and Streams (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press, Oxford 2007.

Porter K.G.: Natural bacteria as food resources for zooplankton, [in:] Klug M.J., Reddy C.A. (eds.), Current Perspectives in Microbial Ecology, American Society for Microbiology, Washington 1984, pp. 340–345.

Lampert W., Fleckner W.: Phytoplankton control by grazing zooplankton: A study on the spring clear-water phase. Limnology and Oceanography, vol. 31(3), 1986, pp. 478–490. https://doi.org/10.4319/lo.1986.31.3.0478.

Pinel-Alloul B., Guay C., Angeli N., Legendre P., Dutilleul P., Balvay G., Gerdeaux D., Guillard J.: Large-scale spatial heterogeneity of macrozooplankton in Lake of Geneva. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, vol. 56(8), 1999, pp. 1437–1451. https://doi.org/10.1139/f99-055.

Urabe J.: Stable horizontal variation in the zooplankton community structure of a reservoir maintained by predation and competition. Limnology and Oceanography, vol. 35(8), 1990, pp. 1703–1717. https://doi.org/10.4319/lo.1990.35.8.1703.

Angeli N.: Relations entre le plancton et la qualité de l’eau. Incidence des polluants sur le profil biologique de quelques canaux et étude comparative des interactions plancton-auto-épuration en bassins expérimentaux de lagunage [PhD thesis]. Université des Sciences et Techniques de Lille, Lille 1979.

Balvay G.: Fonctionnement et contrôle du réseau trophique en étang, [in:] Billard R. (ed.), La Pisciculture en Étang, I.N.R.A. Publications, Paris 1980, pp. 47–79.

Capblancq J.: Phytoplancton et production primaire, [in:] Pourriot R., Capblancq J., Champ P., Meyer J.A., Écologie du plancton des eaux continentales, Collection d’Écologie, 16, Masson, Paris 1982, pp. 1–48.

Pourriot R.: Écologie des Rotifères, [in:] Pourriot R., Capblancq J., Champ P., Meyer J.A., Écologie du plancton des eaux continentales, Collection d’Écologie, 16, Masson, Paris 1982, pp. 129–155.

Pourriot R.: Recherches sur l’écologie des Rotifères. Vie et Milieu, suppl. 21, Laboratoire Arago, Banyuls-sur-Mer, Masson & Cie, Paris 1965.

Issue

Vol. 20 No. 5 (2026): Geomatics and Environmental Engineering

Date Log

Long-Term Evolution of Water Quality and Interactions with Climate Change. Case of the Bab Louta Reservoir (Taza, Morocco)

Corresponding Author(s) : Abdelaziz Zouhir

Abstract

Keywords

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References

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