ASSESSMENT OF GROUNDWATER QUALITY FOR IRRIGATION USE IN THE M'SILA REGION (ALGERIA)

Abstract

In this study, the physical and chemical characteristics of groundwater quality parameters of 16 wells within the M’Sila region were used for calculations such as sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), Kelly’s ratio (KR), sodium percentage (Na %), permeability index (PI) and magnesium hazard (MH), which are used in irrigation water quality ratings. Also, the irrigation water quality index (IWQI) was calculated for all ground water sources within the study area. The correlations between the irrigation water quality parameters were determined using Pearson correlation analysis. The SAR, KR, and NA % values in the study area show that the groundwater in the study area is excellent and good as such suitable for irrigation purposes. Evaluation of the suitability of the groundwater in the study area for irrigation based on MH and WQI also suggests that 31.25 % and 37.5 % respectively of the samples are suitable and excellent or good for irrigation. The PI values show that the ground waterfalls under Class III, making the groundwater ‘unsuitable’ for irrigation. The groundwater in the study area is acceptable for irrigation except for a few instances which require a special careful application.

Keywords

• groundwater
• irrigation water quality index
• semiarid region
• algeria