The El-Meita plateau is situated in the south of the city of Khenchela and it is delimited by the Saharan Atlas to the north and Chott Melghir to the south. The agricultural importance and the high productivity of this region are provided by the aggressive use of chemical fertilizers. For this reason, we have decided to conduct this study, considering that all water bodies � superficial waters and groundwaters � record significant amounts of NO3-, NO2-, NH4-, heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn and Hg) and other major chemical elements. The campaign of collecting the 30 water samples took place in the month of May 2016. The chemical analyses were conducted in the Lacip ain-Mlila laboratory in Algeria. Findings show a contamination of groundwater by nitrates and lead; values exceed the maximum limits approved by World Health Organization (WHO). TDS were also found in high concentrations, which limit the use of water for some agricultural cultures, but which can be admissible for certain salinity-resistant species.

ABSTRACT. -Determination of the contamination level in groundwater of the Sebkha of El-mahmel NE Algeria. The study area is located in the municipality of El-Mahmel located in the extension East and North east of the Aurès Nemamcha mountains in the city of Khenchela, Northern east of Algeria. This study is related to a research on groundwater pollution from anthropogenic emissions and secondly by the migration of salt water intrusion from the Sebkha in response to intensive pumping. The physico-chemical characterization of water by measurements on site and laboratory analysis allowed defining the degree of saltwater contamination and its spatial spread. This salt contamination of groundwater would be accentuated by the discharge of wastewater into the Sebkha, the irrational use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and intensive pumping. By this action, we alerted the government to the need to build a wastewater treatment plant, the need for a delineation of protection areas or would be prohibited to establish drilling. Finally, make farmers of El Mahmel aware of the risk of deterioration in the water quality monitoring of disease outbreaks and soil infertility by the accumulation of salts (alkalization and sodization of soil) with the disappearance of all cultures if they not reduce pumping water.

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