Physicochemical evolution and evaluation of groundwater quality in Mougheul area (Southwest of Algeria)

Abstract

In arid areas, the pressure on water resources and in particular on groundwater resources is on the rise, mainly due to increasing demand and the deterioration of water quality. In this context, the present work aims to follow the annual evolution, between 2009 and 2019 of the physicochemical parameters, and to evaluate the quality of groundwater of the region of Mougheul, by determining the data of pH, TDS, conductivity and the concentrations of major ions (Ca+2, Mg+2, Na+, K+, Cl−, HCO3−, SO4−2, NO3−) of 07 water points. The results revealed that all the levels of the physicochemical parameters do not exceed the WHO potability standards, except high values were observed at the level of well W6 which exceeds the limits recommended by the WHO (50 mg /l). The diagram of Schöeller and Berkaloff shows that the groundwater has the bicarbonate magnesium facies. The representation of the data on the Piper triangular diagram shows that W6 has the facies chlorinated and calcium sulfate and magnesium and the other water points have the facies bicarbonate calcium and magnesium. SAR values show that the groundwater of Mougheul is excellent for irrigation. The classification according to the Wilcox diagram shows that the groundwater of Mougheul in general is good quality, but the well of W6 water is suitable for irrigation and requires monitoring the evolution of salinity.