Abstract:A methodology was developed and applied to the Tindouf (southwestern Algeria) and the Annaba-Bouteldja aquifers (northeastern Algeria) in order to understand better the hydrogeology of the complex aquifers despite the scarcity of the available data. Graphical representation of deuterium versus oxygen-18 and principal components analysis (PCA) are statistical techniques used to combine various disciplinary data in order to identify chemical and isotopic groups, which are in turn used to define groundwater flow paths. The results of this study agree with the generally accepted hydrogeological conceptual model of the aquifers. In addition, we obtained new results using the PCA method: (1) a description of the complex flow system by grouping various qualitative and quantitative parameters; (2) the definition and characterization of the main groundwater flow paths from their sources to the discharge zones. These flow paths are defined by their water categories, which are represented by salinity and origin of groundwater. This approach is useful for analysing aquifers despite the lack of important database and may also be helpful for studying other complex groundwater basins.
Hydrogeochemical investigations were carried out around Fetzara Lake, Northeast Algeria, to assess the quality of groundwater for its suitability for drinking and irrigation purposes. The groundwater chemistry is mainly controlled by the water-rock interactions, but also influenced by other processes such as evapotranspiration and ion exchange. Groundwater samples collected, during two periods (1993 and 2007) from wells in the area were analyzed for pH, EC, TDS, Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , Na + , K + , CO 3 2− , HCO 3 − , Cl − , SO 4 2− , and NO 3 −. The chemical relationships in Piper's diagram and Gibbs's diagram suggest that groundwaters mainly belong to noncarbonate alkali type and Cl − group and are controlled by evaporation dominance, respectively, due to the sluggish drainage conditions, greater water-rock interaction, and anthropogenic activities. A comparison of the groundwater quality in relation to drinking water quality standards proves that most of the water samples are not suitable for drinking. US Salinity Laboratory's and Wilcox's diagrams and %Na + used for evaluating the water quality for irrigation suggest that the majority of the groundwater samples are not good for irrigation.
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