Hydrochemical characterization of groundwater and surface water in the region of SIDI BEL ABBES (western ALGERIA)

Khadidja BENOUIS1, Djamila HARRACHE1, Khelloufi BENABDELLI2
1: Biotoxicological laboratory– Unit of Chemistry and Environment – Faculty of Science –
University of Djillali Liabès – SIDI BEL ABBES - ALGERIA
benouis_khadidja@yahoo.fr
2: University of Mustapha Stambouli – MASCARA - ALGERIA

Contamination of groundwater and surface water, by some pollutants such as nitrates and phosphorus or trace elements such as metals, is currently one of the major environmental problems.

Once contaminated, groundwater is more difficult to cleanse than surface water and the consequences of this contamination can last long term. Water pollution can have adverse effects on water quality and therefore be dangerous to health.

This study aims to characterize the chemical and bacteriological quality of groundwater and surface water in the region of SIDI BEL ABBES (western ALGERIA). This characterization was detected first, the different contamination may weaken the potential of these natural water resources, and secondly to characterize the water facies.

Following the results of tests conducted we found that surface water is characterized by mineralization balanced, with a dominance of calcium bicarbonate facies primarily related to the nature of the limestone aquifer. The quality of the physico-chemical surface water meets the standards of potability.

However, sources of water Sidi Ali Benyoub appear to be vulnerable to bacterial contamination. Indeed, E. coli and fecal streptococci were identified in this natural resource. But the pollution is nothing to fear since water undergoes disinfection treatment before being distributed to consumers.

For groundwater, it is clear that in all cases, a large majority of the parameters analyzes have values not satisfying the maximum allowable concentrations and that two or three elements are accessed by large deviations from the standars of potability.

The main factor in the deteriorating quality of groundwater is contaminated by nitrates and phosphates, accompanied by excessive levels of chlorides probably due to the terrain traversed.

This nitrogen pollution that exceed the tolerable limits, particularly for the waters of the water Tenira and slick Sfisef, probably originated in the agricultural fertilization practices. On the bacteriological water wells samples appear to be more protected than spring water.

From this general statement, it is important to install a surveillance network to monitor trends in the quality of groundwater and surface water in the region of SIDI BEL ABBES.

Keywords:
Groundwater, surface water, pollution, health, SIDI BEL ABBES, ALGERIA