Identification of groundwater flow paths in complex aquifer systems

Abstract

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.

Impact des rejets urbains et industriels sur la qualité des eaux de la plaine de la Meboudja (Algérie)

“…Vila (1980) A c c e p t e d M a n u s c r i p t relative de l'air de l'ordre de 75%. La direction dominante des vents est N-S. L'infiltration efficace, estimée par la méthode du bilan de Thornthwaite, est d'environ 15% des précipitations, soit près de 100 mm par an (Debièche 2002, Hani et al 2003, Lamouroux et Hani 2006.…”

Tracing biogeochemical processes in stream water and groundwater using non-linear statistics

“…It is a common tool for analyzing large data sets of groundwater (e.g., Fernandes et al, 2006;O'Shea and Jankowski, 2006;Lamouroux and Hani, 2006;Cruz and Amaral, 2004) or river water quality (e.g., Zeilhofer et al, 2006;Castanñé et al, 2006;Singh et al, 2005;Ying, 2005;Haag and Westrich, 2002). The objective of these studies was usually to delineate different natural and anthropogenic processes that affect water quality, to determine mixing ratios, or to develop a perceptual model of the groundwater flow dynamics (e.g., Lamouroux and Hani, 2006;Thyne et al, 2004). In some studies, long-term trends of single principal components were investigated (e.g., Haag and Westrich, 2002).…”

A new conceptual water integrated model for the Seybouse basin, Annaba region

“…The regional aquifer system is limited in the west by the Edough metamorphic complex, in the south by Fetzara Lake and the eastern extension of the Cheffia Numidian mountains, in the north by the Mediterranean Sea, and finally in the east by the Bouteldja Numidian massifs, as shown in Fig. 1 The population of Annaba is expected to double by 2020 to reach 2 millions [13]. This will worsen the already precarious situation.…”