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The use of environmental isotopic and hydrochemical tracers to characterize the functioning of karst systems in the Tlemcen Mountains, northwest Algeria

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Abstract

The functioning of karst systems in the Tlemcen Mountains, Algeria, was studied using environmental isotopic and chemical parameters. The weakly enriched values of 18O suggest a fast infiltration of water through the karst systems. The deuterium (2H) excess in groundwater and tritium (3H) in precipitation show that the region is subjected to Mediterranean and Atlantic influences with a predominance of the former. The isotopic gradient, in combination with topographic and geologic criteria, allows the recharge areas of the main karst systems to be estimated. The results of 13C, 14C and 3H analysis show that the majority of present waters come from perched systems and mixture waters influenced by three clusters (“ante-thermonuclear” waters, “thermonuclear” waters, and present waters) that generally emerge from semi-confined systems. The oldest waters are relatively rare and are stored in deeply confined systems. These results are consistent with the hydrochemical and the hydrogeological findings. The results have important implications in groundwater protection.

Resumé

Le fonctionnement des systèmes karstiques des Montagnes Tlemcen en Algérie, a été étudié en utilisant des paramètres isotopiques et chimiques. Le faible enrichissement des valeurs en 18O suggère une infiltration rapide de l’eau à travers les systèmes karstiques. L’excès de deuterium (2H) dans l’eau souterraine et le tritrium (3H) dans les précipitations montrent que la région est sujette à des influences méditerranéennes et atlantiques, avec une prédominance des influences méditerranéennes. Le gradient isotopique, en combinaison avec les critères géologiques et topographiques, permet l’estimation des aires de recharge des principaux systèmes karstiques. Les résultats des analyses 13C, 14C et 3H montrent que la majorité des eaux actuelles proviennent de systèmes perchés et de mélanges d’eaux influencées par trois pôles : eaux « ante-thermonucléaires », eaux « thermonucléaires » et eaux actuelles qui habituellement émergent de systèmes semi-captifs. Les eaux les plus âgées sont relativement rares et sont stockées dans des systèmes plus profonds. Ces résultats sont consistants avec les résultats hydrochimiques et hydrogéologiques. Ces résultats ont des implications importantes pour la protection des eaux souterraines.

Resumen

El funcionamiento de los sistemas cársticos en las Montañas Tlemcen. Argelia, fue estudiado usando parámetros isotópicos y químicos. Los valores débilmente enriquecidos de 18O sugieren una infiltración rápida de agua a través de los sistemas cársticos. El exceso de deuterio (2H) en agua subterránea y de tritio (3H) en precipitación muestra que la región está sujeta a influencia Mediterránea y Atlántica con una predominancia de la primera. El gradiente isotópico, en combinación con criterios topográficos y geológicos, permite estimar las áreas de recarga de los sistemas cársticos principales. Los resultados de los análisis de 13C, 14C y 3H muestran que la mayoría de aguas modernas provienen de acuíferos colgados y aguas mezcladas influenciadas por tres grupos: aguas “ante-termonucleares”, aguas “termonucleares” y aguas modernas, que generalmente emergen de sistemas semi-confinados. Las aguas más viejas son relativamente escasas y son almacenadas en sistemas confinados profundos. Estos resultados son consistentes con los hallazgos hidroquímicos e hidrogeológicos. Los resultados tienen implicaciones importantes en la protección del agua subterránea.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the Nuclear Research Center of Algiers (NRCA) and the National Agency of Hydraulic Resources (ANRH) for their help and acquisition of the data. We also thank the staff at the Laboratory of hydrogeology of the University of Avignon for their continuing support and constructive comments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire des Sciences et Techniques de l’Eau, Mascara University, Route de Mamounia BP 763, 29000, Mascara, Algeria

    H. Azzaz

  2. Laboratoire d’Hydrogéologie, Avignon University, 33 Rue Louis Pasteur, 84000, Avignon, France

    H. Azzaz, B. Houha & J. M. Puig

  3. Nuclear Research Center of Algiers, 2 Boulevard Srantel Fanol, 16000, Algiers, Algeria

    M. Cherchali

  4. Laboratoire eau, roche et plante, Khemis Meliana University, Khemis Meliana, 40000, Algeria

    M. Meddi

  5. Direction de l’Hydraulique de la Wilaya de Tlemcen, 13000, Tkemcen, Algeria

    A. Achachi

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  1. H. Azzaz
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Azzaz, H., Cherchali, M., Meddi, M. et al. The use of environmental isotopic and hydrochemical tracers to characterize the functioning of karst systems in the Tlemcen Mountains, northwest Algeria. Hydrogeol J 16, 531–546 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-007-0235-4

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