ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: Since 1986 the municipal solid wastes produced by the city of Casablanca (Morocco) have been stockpiled in a landfill located in old quarries 10 km from the city’s periphery. The base of the landfill comprises fractured quartzite, which were not sealed before dumping the waste. The aquifer is therefore at high risk of contamination from leachate. In 1990, a study detected the beginning of groundwater pollution downstream from the landfill. During the present study, two hydrochemical sampling campaigns were carried out, the first in high groundwater levels, the second when groundwater levels were low. Groundwater information was collected from wells downstream from the landfill. The results showed an important disparity concerning the measured parameters. In addition, water from a certain number of wells no longer meets drinking water supply standards or irrigation standards. A principal component analysis was helpful in distinguishing the contaminated wells and characterizing the pollution plume. The comparison of the latest results with the 1990 study show an advance of the pollution plume towards the city, along a series of faults. The progression of the plume is partly controlled by pumping wells.
