Nutrient distribution and fluxes from three Mediterranean coastal rivers (NE Algeria) under large damming Distribution et flux des sels nutritifs dans trois rivie`res co ˆtie`res me´diterrane´ennes (NE de l'Alge´rie) fortement soumises aux effets de barrage
The objectives of the present study were to estimate water delivery and dissolved nutrients loads (nitrogen N, phosphorus P and silicates Si) from three minors coastal rivers (about 14% of Algerian coastal watersheds). Freshwater flow dissolved inorganic nitrogen DIN (NH4, NO3 and NO2), dissolved organic nitrogen DON, dissolved inorganic phosphorus DIP, phosphate (PO4), dissolved organic phosphorus DOP and silicates SiO4 were measured monthly at River outlet in the year 2011. The rivers were characterized by high values of ammonia (NH4) and phosphate (PO4) which reveal the dominance of organic and domestic pollutions. In contrast, values of SiO4 were very low and will be in relation to the retention in dams. Dissolved nitrogen loads varied considerably from 43 to 227 kg/km²/y where DON formed 20 to 40%. Loads of total dissolved phosphorus (TDP) fluctuated in the range of 20- 80 kg/km²/y in which the organic fraction forms largely dominated (51 to 74%). At River outlets, the loading ratio of nutrients (Si: N: P) were altered by agricultural and household wastes. Here, Si:N and N:P mass ratios ranged from 3-6 and 10-20 respectively, indicating large N and P inputs. These biogeochemical conditions would induce deep impacts on the ecology and the productivity of the adjacent coastal waters.
Water treatment plants are of great importance in order to provide drinking water to the population. The present work aimed to study the quality of treated water from the Beni-Haroun dam (northeastern Algeria) through the analysis of its physicochemical and bacteriological parameters in order to ensure they conform to international standards. Physicochemical and bacteriological parameters of untreated water were also analysed and then compared to the same physicochemical and bacteriological parameters obtained after applying treatment procedures in order to evaluate the efficiency of these procedures on the water quality. As a result, the physicochemical parameters of treated water Beni-Haroun dam were revealed in concordance with the established international standards. Concerning bacteriological results, despite the presence of certain microorganisms in some analysed samples, their loads remained very low and do not constitute a major health risk. Based on our analyses, treated water from Beni-Haroun Dam remains generally of good quality.
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