Kachi N., Kachi S., Bousnoubra H. (2016): Effects of irrigated agriculture on water and soil quality (case perimeter Guelma, Algeria). Soil & Water Res., 11: 97-104.In Algeria, more than 20% of irrigated soils are concerned by the problem of salinity. In the perimeter of Guelma, the results showed that the soils have low salinity despite of high electrical conductivity (1244 µS/cm) of irrigation water and increased organic matter, nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus contents. It should be noted that the soils had exhibited higher salinity and low organic matter content before starting the irrigation in 1973. The reduction in the salt content is due to the leaching of salts from percolated water after the intensive irrigation; however, the increase in the content of organic matter can be explained by the accumulation of the organic matter transported by irrigation water, conditions of waterlogging, and types of crops (vegetable/cereals). As to the quality of groundwater, nitrate is the dominant nitrogen component entering groundwater and it is very alarming that by 45% of water sources (springs, wells, and boreholes) the nitrate contents are over 50 mg/l. It is a serious problem because it serves as a drinking water supply for the local population. Moreover, this water is highly mineralized (electric conductivity > 1000 µS/cm) because of the intensive use of artificial fertilizers and to the poor quality of water irrigation. The contamination by organochlorine pesticides is below the value admitted by the WHO for water resources. Endosulfan is the most dominant active ingredient with an average concentration of 0.066 µg/l.
This study was conducted in northeast Algeria along the Tunisian border. The principal goal of this study was to characterize the groundwater quality of the Mafragh Watershed and the space variation. Hydrochemical analyses of salinity (Cl, SO 4 ), organic pollution (BOD 5 , dissolved oxygen DO) and dissolved metals (Fe, Cu, Zn) were conducted at 22 stations located in the proximity of the Kebir East and Bounamoussa rivers, which constitute the Mafragh Watershed. Sampling was conducted during the end of the high-water period (May 2007). This study revealed a DO content of 5 mg/l, as well as high BOD 5 (40 mg/l), Cl (400 mg/l) and SO 4 (250 mg/l) values. Conversely, metals did not show high concentrations, with Fe ranging from 0.01 to 0.032 mg/l, and Cu and Zn being near the detection limit.
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