Characterization of groundwater quality in Oran Sebkha basin

Abstract

Growing populations and increasing industrialization causes increase in living standard, which result in decrease in the quality of water and may put stresses on natural waters by impairing both the quality of the water and the hydrological budget. This research aimed at determining the origin of the chemical elements of groundwater from the Oran Sebkha basin. It applied the inverse geochemical modeling to derive the sources of variation in the hydrochemistry. Fifty five (55) water samples were selected from different point in Oran Sebkha basin for sampling purpose in July 2011. Physico-chemical parameters such as pH and electric conductivity were measured in situ. Moreover, chloride, sulfate, alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, were measured in the laboratory. Inverse geochemical models of the statistical groups were developed using PHREEQC to elucidate the chemical reactions controlling water chemistry. The inverse geochemical modeling demonstrated that relatively few phases are required to derive water chemistry in the area. In a broad sense, the reactions responsible for the hydrochemical evolution in the area fall into three categories: (1) dissolution of evaporite minerals; (2) precipitation of carbonate minerals; and (3) weathering reactions of silicate minerals. The high values of the physico-chemical parameters of water obtained in the present study sites indicate a variation in the physico-chemical parameters and demonstrated that relatively few phases are required to derive water chemistry in the area. Range of values were found as pH (5.1-7.6), conductivity (720-15820 μS cm^-1), chloride (994-7810 mg l^-1), sulfate (6.1-112.4 mg l^-1), alkalinity (421-19962 mg l^-1), calcium (80-680 mg l^-1), magnesium (212.4-4525 mg l^-1), sodium (124.2-4687.4 mg l^-1) and potassium (0.9-42.5 mg l^-1).

Key words: Physico-chemical parameters, water, Sebkha.