Hydrochemical and bacteriological investigation in groundwater of the Tamlouka Plain, north-east of Algeria
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ORIGINAL PAPER
Hydrochemical and bacteriological investigation in groundwater of the Tamlouka Plain, north-east of Algeria Y. Gueroui & A. Maoui & A. S. Touati
Received: 6 August 2013 / Accepted: 31 March 2014 # Saudi Society for Geosciences 2014
Abstract This work aims to study the hydrochemical and bacteriological parameters of deep and shallow groundwater of Tamlouka Plain located in the eastern part of Algeria. The groundwater resources of this plain are used mainly for drinking, agricultural, and industrial purposes. Hydrochemical and water quality data obtained through sampling periods (November and December 2012) and analyses program indicate a highly mineralized water type. The amount of nitrates in these waters ranges from 22 to 110 mg/L. The interpretation of chemical data, based on both thermodynamic calculations and stability diagrams, suggests that the chemical evolution of groundwater is primarily controlled by water-rock interactions. The bacteriological analysis of 40 samples showed that 26 samples are contaminated. So for a better quantitative and qualitative assessment of groundwater resources, a regular control of water quality must be conducted in this area. Keywords Groundwater . Hydrochemistry . Bacteriology . Contamination . Tamlouka . Algeria
Introduction Groundwater is used worldwide for domestic and industrial water supply and irrigation. In the last few decades, there was Y. Gueroui : A. S. Touati Biology, Water and Environment Laboratory (LBEE), University 8 Mai 1945 Guelma, BP 401, Guelma 24000, Algeria A. Maoui (*) Civil Engineering and Hydraulics Laboratory (LCGH), University 8 Mai 1945 Guelma, BP 401, Guelma 24000, Algeria e-mail: [email protected]
a tremendous increase in the demand for fresh water due to rapid growth of population and the accelerated industrialization (Amadi et al. 2012). Groundwater quality can be identified through the composition of the water and their reactions with the different minerals in the aquifers and the effect of anthropogenic activities (Banoeng-Yakubo et al. 2009). The studied area is located within the semi-arid zones of Algeria, located 550 km to the east of Algiers City and characterized by a precipitation of less than 600 mm per year. It extends from Ain Trab agglomeration in the north to the Chebka Sellaoua to the south, on about 200 km2 (Fig. 1). With the lack of permanent surface water reservoirs in the area, groundwater plays a dominant role. It constitutes the main source of fresh water, used for domestic, agricultural, and industrial purposes. Recent studies conducted throughout the country (Rouabhia et al. 2008; Fehdi et al. 2009; Maoui et al. 2010) contributed to a better understanding of the quality of groundwater in Algeria. The main objectives of this study are the spatial and temporal variation of physicochemical elements, the identification of chemical processes that are responsible of groundwater chemistry, and the bacteriological contamination of Tamlouka Plain groundwater.
Description of the study area The study area is l
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