Geochemical assessment of thermal water in Bouhanifia aquifer system: suitability for touristic therapeutic treatment

Abstract

The touristic balneology is an essential source to promote the economy of the region. Our study aims to identify the geochemistry, the typology and the nature of the thermal waters of Hammam Bouhanifia, a geochemical and bacteriological study was carried out in the region, 13 sources were studied. The geochemical analysis results show a high mineralization of the waters (EC varies between 1.28 and 3.26 mS/cm); high-temperature variation (26 to 65 °C) indicates a high depth emergence. The geochemical classification of waters by the piper diagram shows typical Ca–Mg waters with a dominance of sulphates. All the water points have good bacteriological quality with the exception of source No. 6, which may indicate an infiltration of domestic discharges. The thermal reservoir of Hammam Bouhanifia may represent an important source of geothermal energy in Algeria in addition to its role in the development of thermal tourism in the western region of the country.