Author/Authors :
SEBARI, I. Institut Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan II, Maroc , ROUCHDI, M. Institut Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan II, Maroc , HEGGY, E. University of Southern California - Viterbi School of Engineering - Ming Hsieh Dep of Electrical Engineering, USA , SCABBIA, G. California Institute of Technology - Geological and Planetary Sciences Division, USA , NORMAND, J. California Institute of Technology - Geological and Planetary Sciences Division, USA , AL-MAKTOUMI, A. Sultan Qaboos University - College of Agricultural and Marine sciences - Department of Soils, Water, and Agriculture Engineering, Oman
Abstract :
Morocco is a water-scarce country confronted with a severe dependence on rain-fed agriculture and dwindling groundwater reserves. Since 1995, new water regulation laws and management strategies have been promulgated providing a comprehensive framework for an integrated management. Moreover, water managers should have precise data on the current state of water tables depth in strategic aquifers. Unfortunately, the main sources of these data are sporadic wells with no automated monitoring systems making the assessment of water table dynamics costly, time consuming and out-phased with decision maker needs. In this respect, this paper focuses on the capability of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) to determine the depth of shallow water table in Mnasra region, located in the Gharb region of Morocco as a pilot study to generalize its use in the future for groundwater dynamic monitoring purposes in Morocco. The experiment was undertaken using Mala 800 MHz shielded antennas and was able to probe the depth of the upper fresh water table at 3.75 m deep in the semi-arid conditions of Mnasra aquifer. Data collected by GPR can be used as substitute for well logs to enhance the monitoring of water tables in water stressed areas during droughts and excessive recharges during rainy season
NaturalLanguageKeyword :
Ground Penetrating Radar , Shallow water table , Mnasra , Gharb region , Mala 800 Mhz antenna , Monitoring of water table
