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)

Adel Zghibi,Elaid Madene,Abdelmadjid Boufekane,Gianluigi Busico,Mohamed Meddi

doi:10.2166/ws.2022.107

Abstract

AbstractThe 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 other 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 of 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 as: 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.

Highlights

Groundwater represents the main resource of potable water all over the world (Margat & Van Der Gun 2013), with an estimated exploitation rate of 982 km3/year
The results show that the pH varies between 7 to 9.4 in 2012 and 5.1 to 9.4 in 2017
According to the GroundWater Quality Index (GWQI), the results show that the groundwater quality has been Permissible to Doubtful utilization

Summary

Introduction

Groundwater represents the main resource of potable water all over the world (Margat & Van Der Gun 2013), with an estimated exploitation rate of 982 km3/year. The Mediterranean region, which is considered as one of the water poorest region in the world (Leduc et al 2017), could even reach higher than average percentage of water exploitation This is true in the Algeria state where the exploitation index of renewable water (surface water and groundwater) is reaching its maximum of sustainability (FAO 2006; El Jihad & Taabni 2019) with a rate approximately of 67%. Groundwater is the main source of potable water in the country (irrigation and municipal use) due to its relatively easy utilization, anyway, the growing overexploitation has driven to an increasing reduction and pollution of this precious resource. According to this scenario, the necessity of specific and reliable groundwater quality study become imperative (FAO 2016)

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion