Skip to main content

Principal component, chemical, bacteriological, and isotopic analyses of Oued-Souf groundwaters (revised)

Environmental Earth Sciences volume 75, Article number: 272 (2016) Cite this article

Abstract

Oued-Souf City, located in the northwestern part of Algeria, has rapidly grown and been urbanized. The city and surrounding areas depend heavily on groundwater as a water source for drinking, as well as domestic, industrial, and agricultural uses. Comprehensively understanding the chemistry of the groundwater provides insight into the interaction of water with the environment and contributes to better overall resource management. The phreatic groundwaters are SO4–Ca in character. These waters are hard with a high salinity, which poses a distinct danger for plants. Furthermore, major chemical elements in the water have concentrations above the values recommended by World Health Organization. The phreatic groundwaters display bacteriological germs in sampled waters, and high concentrations of nitrates were detected in the samples due to the absence of a formal sanitation network. In this work, stable and radioactive isotopes are used to understand the water origin of the phreatic groundwaters. The present isotopic study suggests that the groundwaters from the Oued-Souf phreatic aquifer are composed of two primary components, one from infiltrating recent rain waters and the other one from deep captive groundwaters. Herein, descriptive statistics, correlation matrices, and factor analyses were employed to understand the hydrochemistry of the groundwater in the phreatic aquifer in the Oued-Souf area.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14

References

  • ANRH (Agence Nationale des Ressources Hydrauliques) (1993) Etude hydrogéologique de la région d’El-Oued: contribution au problème de la remontée des eaux de la nappe phréatique (El-Oued region hydrogeological study: a contribution to the assessment of the phreatic aquifer piezometric level rise). Tech Rep ANRH, Ouargla

  • ANRH (Agence Nationale des Ressources Hydrauliques) (1994) Physiochemical analysis data of 42 groundwater samples of Oued-Souf phreatic aquifer

  • ANRH (Agence Nationale des Ressources Hydrauliques) (1999) Agence Nationale des Ressources Hydrauliques: piezometric data

  • Aruga R, Gastaldi D, Negro G, Ostacoli G (1995) Pollution of a river basin and its evolution with time studied by multivariate statistical analysis. Anal Chim Acta 310(1):15–25

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ashley RP, Lloyd JW (1978) An example of the use of factor analysis and cluster analysis in groundwater chemistry interpretation. J Hydrol 39(3–4):355–364

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bakalowicz M (1994) Water geochemistry: water quality and dynamics. In: Standford J, Gibert J, Danielopol D (eds) Groundwater ecology. Academic Press, San Diego, pp 97–127

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Bel F, Cuche D (1970) Etude des nappes du Complexe Terminal du bas Sahara. Données géologiques et hydrogéologiques pour la reconstruction du modèle mathématique (Investigation of the Complexe Terminal aquifers of lower Sahara: geological and hydrogeological data for the reconstruction of the mathematical model). Tech Rep, Direction de l’Hydraulique de la Wilaya de Ouargla, Algeria

  • Bel F, Demargne F (1966) Etude géologique du Continental Intercalaire (Geological study of the Continental Intercalaire aquifer). Tech Rep ANRH, Algiers

    Google Scholar 

  • Bel F, Cuche D, Schoute M, Lefort O (1970) Etude du Complexe Terminal. Données hydrogéologiques et géologiques (Study of the Complexe Terminal aquifer, hydrogeological and geological data). Rep ERESS Project, Ouargla

  • Ben Othman D, Luck J-M, Tournoud M-G (1997) Geochemistry and water dynamics: application to short time-scale flood phenomena in a small Mediterranean catchment: I. Alkalis, alkali-earths and Sr isotopes. Chem Geol 140(1–2):9–28

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • BNEDER (Bureau National d’Etudes pour le Développement Rural) (1992) Etude d’un plan directeur de développement de l’agriculture dans la wilaya d’El-Oued. Rapport No. 3. Analyse diagnostique de la situation actuelle (Study of the agricultural development plan of the province of El-Oued. Report No. 3: diagnosis of the present situation). Direction des Services Agricoles d’El-Oued. Rep DE/302/92-3

  • Bouzenboua Z, Messen N, Moulla AS, Souag M (1998) Variation des concentrations en tritium dans les précipitations á Birine en relation avec les conditions météorologiques rencontrées (Precipitation tritium contents variation as related to local meteoric conditions in Birine). 1ères Journées d’Etudes sur les Applications des Techniques Nucléaires en Ressources Hydriques et en Agriculture, COMENA/CDTN, Alger

  • Castany G (1982) Bassin sédimentaire du Sahara septentrional (Algérie-Tunisie). Aquifères du Continental Intercalaire et du Complexe terminal. Bull BRGM 2 III(2):127–147

  • Ciaccio LL (1971) Water and water pollution, 1st edn. Marcel Dekker Inc., New York

    Google Scholar 

  • CRNA (Centre de Recherche Nucléaire d’Alger) (1991) Bacteriological analysis data of 9 groundwater samples of Oued-Souf phreatic aquifer and physiochemical with isotopic data of 69 groundwater samples of Oued-Souf phreatic aquifer

  • CRNA (Centre de Recherche Nucléaire d’Alger) (1992) Physiochemical analysis data of 64 groundwater samples of Oued-Souf phreatic aquifer

  • DHW (Direction de l’hydraulique de la Wilaya d’El-Oued) (2001) Hydraulic direction of Oued-Souf: piezometric data

  • Fontes JCh, Yousfi M, Allison GB (1986) Estimation of longterm, diffuse groundwater discharge in the northern Sahara using stable isotope profiles in soil water. J Hydrol 86:315–327

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fournier M, Massei N, Bakalowicz M, Dussart-Baptista L, Rodet J, Dupont JP (2007) Using turbidity dynamics and geochemical variability as a tool for understanding the behavior and vulnerability of a karst aquifer. Hydrogeol J 15:689–704

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gonfiantini R, Conrad G, Fontes JCh, Sauzay G, Payne BR (1974) Etude isotopique de la nappe du Continental Intercalaire et ses relations avec les autres nappes du Sahara septentrional (Isotopic investigation of the Continental Intercalaire aquifer and its relationship with the other aquifers in the northern Sahara). In: Isotope techniques in groundwater. Hydrology, vol 1. IAEA SM-182/25, Vienna, pp 227–241

  • Guendouz A (1985) Contribution á l’étude hydrochimique et isotopique des nappes profondes du Sahara septentrional, Algérie (A contribution to the hydrochemical and isotopic study of the northern Sahara deep groundwaters in Algeria), Thesis. University Paris-sud, Orsay

    Google Scholar 

  • Guendouz A, Moulla AS, Reghis Z (1993) Etude de la remontée des eaux de la nappe phréatique de la région de Oued-Souf (Erg Oriental, Sahara nord-est septentrional) par les méthodes isotopiques et hydrochimiques (Investigation of the phreatic aquifer piezometric level rise in the Oued-Souf region, Oriental Erg, North-eastern Algerian Sahara). 2`emes Journ G´eol App Sfax, Tunisia

  • Guendouz A, Moulla AS, Edmunds WM, Shand P, Zouari K, Mamou A (2003) Hydrogeochemical and isotopic evolution of the Complexe Terminal groundwaters in the Algerian Sahara. Hydrogeol J 11:483–495

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guendouz A, Moulla AS, Remini B, Michelot JL (2006) Hydrochemical and isotopic behaviour of a Saharan phreatic aquifer suffering severe natural and anthropic constraints (case of Oued-Souf region, Algeria). Hydrogeol J 14:955–968

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Helena B, Vega M, Barrado E, Pardo R, Fernandez L (1999) A case of hydrochemical characterization of an alluvial aquifer influenced by human activities. Water Air Soil Pollut 112:365–387

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Helena B, Pardo R, Vega M, Barrado E, Fernandez JM, Fernandez L (2000) Temporal evolution of groundwater composition in an alluvial aquifer (Pisuerga River, Spain) by principal component analysis. Water Res 34(3):807–816

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • IHEO (2001) Bacteriological analysis data of 34 groundwater samples of Oued-Souf phreatic aquifer

  • Johannesson KH, Stetzenbach KJ, Kreamer DK, Hodge VF (1996) Multivariate statistical analysis of arsenic and selenium concentrations in groundwaters from south-central Nevada and Death Valley, California. J Hydrol 178(1–4):181–204

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Join J-L, Coudray J, Longworth K (1997) Using principal components analysis and Na/Cl ratios to trace groundwater circulation in a volcanic island: the example of Reunion. J Hydrol 190(1–2):1–18

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Joliffe IT (1986) Principal component analysis. Springer, Berlin

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Kherici N, Zouini D, Kherici H (1996) Origine de la remontée des eaux de la nappe superficielle de Souf (Nord-Est du Sahara Septentrional Algérien). Association Espanola de Hidrologia Subterranea. Hidrogeologia 12:49–59

    Google Scholar 

  • Levassor A (1978) Simulation et gestion des systèmes aquifères. Application aux nappes du ‘Complexe Terminal’ du bas Sahara, Algérie (Modeling and management of aquifers: application to the Complexe Terminal aquifer in the lower Sahara, Algeria), Thesis. Paris-VI University, Paris

  • Mardia KV, Kent JT, Bibby JM (1979) Multivariate analysis. Academic Press, New York, pp 213–254

    Google Scholar 

  • Motelay-Massei A, Ollivon D, Garban B, Chevreuil M (2003) Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in bulk deposition at a suburban site: assessment by principal component analysis of the influence of meteorological parameters. Atmos Environ 37:3135–3146

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moulla AS, Guendouz A, Reghis Z (1992) Etude de la remontée des eaux de la nappe phréatique de la région de Oued-Souf (Investigation of the phreatic aquifer piezometric level rise in the Oued-Souf region). 1st internal report, Centre de Développement des Techniques Nucléaires (CDTN), Algiers

  • Moulla AS, Guendouz A, Reghis Z (1996) Etude de la remontée des eaux de la nappe phréatique de la région de Oued-Souf (Investigation of the phreatic aquifer piezometric level rise in the Oued-Souf region, final report). Rapport final de synthèse, Centre de Développement des Techniques Nucléaires (CDTN), Algiers

    Google Scholar 

  • OSS (2003) Système Aquifère du Sahara Septentrional (The northern Sahara aquifer system, the mathematical model). Observatoire du Sahara et du Sahel (OSS), Modèle Mathématique, vol 4

  • Paix P (1956) Les nappes artésiennes de l’Oued Rhir (Artesian aquifers of the wadi Rhir valley), Thesis. Algiers University, Algeria

    Google Scholar 

  • Reisenhofer E, Adami G, Barbieri P (1998) Using chemical and physical parameters to define the quality of karstic freshwaters (Timavo River, north-eastern Italy): a chemometric approach. Water Res 32(4):1193–1203

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saibi H (2003) Analyse qualitative des ressources en eau de la vallée de l’oued Souf et impact sur l’environnement, région aride à semi-aride d’El-Oued (Qualitative evaluation of Oued-Souf valleywater resources and their impact on the environment), Thesis. Houari Boumedienne University, Algiers

    Google Scholar 

  • Stetzenbach KJ, Farnham IM, Hodge VF, Johannesson KH (1999) Using multivariate statistical analysis of groundwater major cation and trace element concentrations to evaluate groundwater flow in a regional aquifer. Hydrol Process 13:2655–2697

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stetzenbach KJ, Hodge VF, Guo C, Farnham IM, Johannesson KH (2001) Geochemical and statistical evidence of deep carbonate groundwater within overlying volcanic rock aquifers/aquitards of southern Nevada, USA. J Hydrol 243(3–4):254–271

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • UNESCO (1972) Projet ERESS: Etude des ressources en eau du Sahara septentrional. Rapport final (ERESS Project: study of the northern Sahara water resources. Final report). United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), Paris

  • Vidal M, Melgar J, Lopez A, Santoalla MC (2000) Spatial and temporal hydrochemical changes in groundwater under the contaminating effects of fertilizers and wastewater. J Environ Manag 60(3):215225

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • WHO (World Health Organization) (1985) Directives de qualité pour l’eau de boisson (Potable water quality guidelines). Organisation Mondiale de la Santé, Genève

    Google Scholar 

  • Wold S, Esbensen K, Geladi P (1987) Principal component analysis. Chemometr Intell Lab Syst 2:37–52

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth Resources Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, 819-0395, Fukuoka, Japan

    H. Saibi & S. Ehara

  2. Faculty of Earth Science, University of Science and Technology Houari Boumedienne, Algiers, Algeria

    M. Mesbah

  3. Dating and Isotope Tracing Department, Algiers Nuclear Research Centre, P.O Box 399, Alger-RP, 16000, Algiers, Algeria

    A. S. Moulla

  4. Water and Environmental Laboratory, Faculty of Technology, Blida 1 University, Blida, Algeria

    A. H. Guendouz

Authors
  1. H. Saibi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M. Mesbah
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. A. S. Moulla
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. A. H. Guendouz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. S. Ehara
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to H. Saibi.

Additional information

Unintentionally a co-author name was forgotten in the retracted paper.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Saibi, H., Mesbah, M., Moulla, A.S. et al. Principal component, chemical, bacteriological, and isotopic analyses of Oued-Souf groundwaters (revised). Environ Earth Sci 75, 272 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-015-4878-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-015-4878-5

Keywords

  • Phreatic aquifer
  • Miopliocene aquifer
  • Hydrochemistry
  • Principal component analysis (PCA)
  • Bacteriology
  • Isotope
  • Oued-Souf
  • Algerian Sahara