Groundwater Quality Assessment of Hassi Messaoud Region (Algerian Sahara)

Abstract

In the Hassi Messaoud region, is groundwater the only source of water to meet daily demands, especially for consumption, domestic needs, industry and irrigation. This study focused on the evaluation of groundwater quality for potability and irrigation supply and the understanding of mineralization processes in the Mio-Pliocene (CTM), Senonian (CTS) and continental intercalary (CI) aquifers. For this study, 38 boreholes were sampled and analyzed for different parameters: pH, EC, TDS and major ions. The assessment of the relevance of groundwater in the study area was tested by the application of the water quality index (WQI) method. The suitability of the water for agricultural use was tested using the parameters of; EC, SAR, Na%, KR, PI and MH. The results illustrate that the groundwater in the study area is grouped into three classes: poor, very poor and unsuitable. Regarding groundwater use in irrigation, the results indicate that the waters of Hassi Messaoud are unsuitable for irrigation according on the EC and Wilcox diagram. The groundwater of the investigated area presents two types of water; Ca-Mg-HCO 3 and Ca-Mg-HCO 3 . The study of the mineralization process of water using the Gibbs diagram and binary diagrams and the indices of saturation showed that the mineralization of water is controlled by the dissolution of evaporites and carbonates, silicate weathering and cation exchange. The participation of anthropic contributions is also noted in the Mio-Pliocene aquifer.

Evaluating Groundwater Potability and Health Risks from Nitrates in the Semi-Arid Region of Algeria

“…The bivariate plot of Na + against Cl -(Fig. 9a) indicates that most points slightly deviate from the 1:1 line, signaling that sodium concentration is affected by reverse ion exchange with ) illustrates the dissolution of sulfates and carbonates as well as the alteration of silicates (Touahri et al, 2022). As shown in Fig.…”

Evaluating Water Quality, Mineralization Mechanisms, and Potential Health Risks of Nitrate Contamination in the Continental Intercalaire Aquifer of Reggane, Algeria

“…Moreover, there exists a risk of cation exchange between sodium ions in the water and calcium and magnesium ions in the soil, resulting in an increase in soil sodium content and compromising soil structure and fertility. Thus, it is crucial to address and mitigate high sodium levels in water sources to safeguard soil health and agricultural sustainability (Todd 1980). Additionally, high sodium levels can lead to leaf burn and necrosis along the outer edges of plant leaves (Ayers 1994).…”

Geochemistry and Water Quality Assessment of Continental Intercalary Aquifer in Ouargla Region (Sahara, Algeria)

“…(iii) the continental Intercalary aquifer (CI), consisting of sandy and sandstone formations, with intercalations of clay and sandstone dolomite, of Albian and Barrimian age, with a total thickness of about 550 m, the top of the aquifer is between 850 and 1200m depth. The CI is artesian gushing, the pressure at the head of the drillings is about 15 bar (Touahri et al, 2022), and the water temperature is high (50 °C to 55 °C), influenced by the great depth of the aquifer (ANRH, 2004).…”