Impact of the industrial activity on groundwater quality (case of study: El-Kalitoussa Region Northeast Algeria)

Abstract

The contamination of groundwater by toxic compounds even in low concentrations can compromise the exploitation of the resource for long periods. This work is in this theme. Indeed, the objective of this study is the determination of the impact of some heavy metals on the quality of water resources generated by the discharges of some industrial units in the region of El-Kalitoussa. The results obtained have identified the real threat of industrial pollution on the receiving environment (wells, boreholes and lake). However, the state of contamination of groundwater by heavy metals has been achieved by processing analytical results according to a methodology mono and bidimensional using computer tools. This metallic pollution is highlighted by an abnormally high average content in the majority of the analyzed water points for iron, lead and nickel. While copper has an average concentration at the tolerance limit. However, the highest concentrations of heavy metals measured show that the closer the wells and boreholes are to industrial waste, the more vulnerable they become to possible contamination.