|
Full Length Research Paper
|
|
Groundwater quality and its suitability for drinking and
agricultural use in Ain Azel Plain, Algeria
L. Belkhiri1*, A. Boudoukha2 and L.
Mouni3
1Department
of Hydraulics, University of Hadj, Lakhdar 05000, Batna,
Algeria.
2Research
Laboratory in Applied Hydraulics, University of Hadj, Lakhdar
05000, Batna, Algeria.
3Laboratory
of Technology of Materials and Genius of Precede, University
of Bejaia, Targa- Ouzemour 06000, Algeria.
*Corresponding author.
E-mail:
belkhiri_Laz@yahoo.fr.
Accepted 4 June, 2010 |
|
|
|
Abstract |
|
|
Hydrochemistry of
groundwater in Ain Azel plain, Algeria was used to assess the
quality of groundwater for determining its suitability for
drinking and agricultural purposes. Interpretation of analytical
data shows that Ca-Mg-HCO3 and Ca-Mg-Cl-SO4 are the dominant
hydrochemical facies in the study area. Factor analysis
generated three significant factors. Factor 1 includes EC, Ca++,
Mg++, Na+ and Cl-, factor 2 has high loading values of K+ and
HCO3- and the factor 3 includes SO4-- and NO3-. The US salinity
diagram illustrates that most of the samples fall in C3S1
quality with high salinity hazard and low sodium hazard. The
groundwater of Ain Azel plain is low concentration of
nitrogenous elements (NO3- and NO2-) and the higher
concentration of trace elements (Pb++ and Fe++) may entail
various health hazards.
Key words: Groundwater, drinking and irrigation water
quality, factor analysis, US salinity laboratory diagram, Ain
Azel, Algeria.
|
