Hydrogeological Impact of Coastal Quarrying Activities on Seawater Intrusion and Groundwater Aquifer Contamination in the Western Jifara Plain, Libya (Zawiya – Sabratha)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65405/ptzftv18Keywords:
Spatial Analysis, Quarries, Coastal Area, Heavy MetalsAbstract
This study investigates the spatial analysis of the geo-environmental impacts of quarrying activities in the coastal sector extending from the city of Zawiya to the city of Sabratha in northwestern Libya. The study area forms part of the Jifara Plain and is characterized by high environmental sensitivity due to the increasing concentration of quarrying activities and their proximity to coastal groundwater aquifers. The study aimed to analyze the spatial distribution of quarrying activities, assess their geo-environmental impacts on environmental components, identify their spatial patterns, measure local residents’ perceptions of these impacts, and propose a spatial framework for their management. This was achieved through the analysis of water, soil, and rock samples, in addition to modeling seawater intrusion into groundwater.
The study adopted an integrated, multi-level methodology combining remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), advanced laboratory analyses using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) and X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), and hydrogeological modeling using MODFLOW 6.0. A field survey was also conducted using a questionnaire distributed to a sample of 100 local residents, workers, and specialists. The laboratory results revealed severe soil contamination with heavy metals, with the mean concentration of lead (Pb) reaching approximately 95.4 mg/kg, exceeding the permissible limit by about 3.18 times. The electrical conductivity of soils near the quarries reached 12.4 dS/m. Meanwhile, groundwater from wells adjacent to the quarries recorded a mean Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) concentration of 4,800 mg/L, compared with 1,100 mg/L in reference areas. The chloride-to-bicarbonate ratio exceeded 15 in approximately 70% of the samples, representing a strong indicator of seawater intrusion. MODFLOW simulations estimated the inland movement of the saline wedge at approximately 500 meters per year in areas with the highest concentration of quarrying activities.
The study concluded that there is a statistically significant relationship between the intensity of quarrying activities and indicators of geo-environmental degradation. Approximately 72% of the respondents confirmed the presence of clear geo-environmental impacts, while 65% considered the existing environmental measures inadequate. The study recommends establishing an integrated legislative framework for the environmental management of quarries, developing a spatial environmental monitoring system, and adopting circular economy principles for the reuse of quarrying waste.
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