Spatial analysis and mapping of the groundwater quality index for drinking and irrigation purpose in the alluvial aquifers of upper and middle Cheliff basin (north-west Algeria)

Abstract

The proposed study aims to assess groundwater quality and suitability of the Upper and Middle Cheliff plains (northwest of Algeria) for irrigation and drinking. Here the groundwater is the main source for domestic, agricultural and industrial activities similarly to any others region of the world. The suitability for drinking and for irrigation was evaluated on the basis of water quality index, salinity risk, hardness risk, sodium risk, magnesium risk, permeability index, water infiltration rate, Kelly index and Wilcox and Richards diagrams. The aquifer system is mainly composed by alluvium (gravel, sand, silt, clay, …) from the Mio-Plio-Quaternary. The results of this study highlighted that the majority of the chemical elements analyzed exceed the WHO's drinking water standards and FAO's irrigation water standards. Based on the GroundWater Quality Index (GWQI) results, the Upper and Middle Cheliff groundwater plains shows Doubtful class in most of the plains. In addition, the GroundWater quality Index for Irrigation (GWQII) shows the predominance of the Good/Permissible groundwater quality class in most of the plains. According to these results, drinking water can cause health problems (a danger) for the human consumption making necessary a proper treatment be able to use it. As for irrigation water, it does not present a danger for irrigating for the vast fields of the region, with the exception of sensitive crops such: garlic, onion, beans and strawberry. The proposed approach demonstrated to be appropriate in assessing the groundwater quality for irrigation and drinking water supply since it can be easy applicable and suitable in humid, arid or semi-arid regions around the world.

Evaluation of the adaptation of groundwater quality in the Ketama Al-Hoceima region (Morocco) to agricultural irrigation

“…Salinity levels ranging between 250 and 750 μS/cm are generally deemed appropriate for irrigation purposes; if it falls between 750 and 2250 μS/cm, it is judged appropriate for agricultural irrigation. Lower crop yields and soil salinization can result from irrigation of agricultural land using groundwater with an EC of more than 2250 μS/cm [13]. 43.29% of the research area's groundwater samples were judged excellent, 48.78% good, and 7.93% acceptable for irrigation.…”

“…According to SAR, irrigation water is classified into quality categories based on specific values: SAR < 2, 2 < SAR < 12, 12 < SAR < 22, 22 < SAR < 32, and SAR > 32, corresponding to very low, low, significant, high, and very high quality respectively [12], while SAR is a crucial factor in assessing the risk of soil sodification [13]. For percent water-soluble sodium (%Na) [14], the assessment categories are as follows: %Na ranging from 0 to 20, 20 to 40, 40 to 60, 60 to 80, and %Na exceeding 80, classifying groundwater as excellent, good, allowable, doubtful, and unsuitable for agricultural irrigation, respectively [15].…”

Study of the quality index of groundwater (GWQI) and its use for irrigation purposes using the techniques of the geographic information system (GIS) of the plain Nekor-Ghiss (Morocco)

“…The sodium absorption ratio (SAR) is one of the most crucial factors in assessing the danger of soil sodification (Madene et al, 2022). The SAR is determined by the following equation which is invented by Richards (1954):…”