Temporal evaluation of the Beni Haroun dam’s (Algeria) raw water quality, through a literature review

Abstract

Several authors have carried out physic-chemical analyses of the raw water from the Beni Haroun dam since it was exploited, and others continue to do so. The aim of this work is to present a temporal synthesis (2003-2018) of the variation in their quality. It depends on several parameters, such as climate, socio-economic development and population growth around its tributaries. The parameters studied are: Temperature, pH, EC, TDS, and in (mg/l) Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, Cl-, SO42-, HCO3-, NO3-, NO2-, NH4+ and PO43-, as well as organic parameters such as: COD, BOD5, dissolved O2 and certain heavy metals (µg/l): Pb, Cd, Zn, Fe, Cr, Cu and Mn. The results of this collection of publications show that the quality of the raw water from the Beni Haroun dam varies over time, depending on the season and mainly on the water supply resulting from rainfall, which leads to dilution of the various chemical elements. The air temperature modifies the water temperature, which affects the organic composition. The conclusion shared by all the authors is that raw water must undergo prior treatment before being used for drinking or irrigation.