Hydrochemical assessment and groundwater pollution parameters in arid zone: Case of the Turonian aquifer in Béchar region, southwestern Algeria

Abstract

Groundwater samples from Turonian aquifer of Béchar region were evaluated as drinking and irrigation water sources. physicochemical parameters including pH, EC, TH, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl−, SO42– and NO3− were determined for 16 water sampling points. These characterizations show that the groundwater is fresh to brackish, slightly alkaline and the major ions are Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl− and SO42–. According to WHO standards, 50% of the analysed water are suitable as a drinking source while the other samples are not in compliance with drinking water standards. This non-compliance is basically due to the high concentrations of Na+, Cl−, and SO42– requesting further treatment to reach the stringent standards. According to the results of nitrate concentrations, anthropogenic source seems to influence the groundwater quality. The present study shows that Béchar groundwater may represent an important drinking and irrigation water source. However, a specific management strategy should be adapted in order to avoid the contamination by anthropogenic sources.

Keywords

• Béchar region
• groundwater
• hydrochemistry
• Turonian aquifer
• water quality