CONTRIBUTION TO THE EVALUATION OF THE PHYSICO-CHEMICAL QUALITY OF THE SUPERFICIAL WATERS OF THE OUED ZEGZEL (MOROCCAN NORTHEAST)

Data on water quality of Oued Zegzel and the characteristics of the sources of degradation are few and far between. In this context, this study concerns the analysis of 18 physico-chemical parameters (SF, T°, pH, O 2 , SM, EC, TDS, Sal, Cl - , SO 4 2- , Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , TH, NH 4 + , NO 3 - , NO 2 - , PO 4 3- , Oxid) of the waters of this Oued in order to establish a diagnosis of the state of pollution of the surface waters of this river. Thus, water samples were taken from six stations during One year from October 2017 to September 2018 to allow a comparison between the low-water period and the flood period. The analysis results show that the waters of the stations are bicarbonated with calcium and magnesium, reflecting the geological and pedological nature of the terrain crossed by this watercourse. The values of most of the parameters analyzed generally indicate that the waters of Oued Zegzel are good to excellent quality according to the Moroccan surface water standards. Thus, the results of the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed two gradients. The first reflects the degree of organic pollution, while the second describes the mineralization of water. In addition, this PCA made it possible to discriminate between stations according to their physico-chemical data.