Evaluation of groundwater chemistry and its suitability for the irrigation purpose in semi-arid region: A case study of Ain Oussera plain, Algeria

F. Bouteldjaoui, M. Bessenasse, M. Boughalem, I. Mokeddeme, F. Aitnouh, M. Achak,
L. Oualkacha, A. Kettab

 

The area of study, Ain Oussera, is located in the semi-arid high plains of the Saharian Atlas (at about 200 km south of Algiers) with an area of about 3,790 km2. Groundwater is investigated in this study from the Albian aquifer, which is considered a major source for drinking and irrigation water. Suitability study of groundwater for irrigation was conducted in the study area. The hydrochemical facies of groundwater was mostly Ca-Mg-Cl-SO4 type. Sodium permeability ratio (SAR), sodium carbonate (RSC), sodium percent (Na%), permeability index (PI), magnesium hazard and Kelly’s Index.  The US salinity diagram shows that 74% of the groundwater samples fall into C3-S1 and C4-S2 categories for irrigation, which need adequate drainage to overcome salinity problems for irrigational purposes. The permeability index indicates that 89% of the groundwater samples are good for irrigation uses in the study area.

Irrigation, Hydrochemistry, Salinization, Semi-arid

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