Abstract
In Algeria, groundwater is an important source of irrigation. In order to evaluate the quality of groundwater in study area, 24 groundwater samples were collected and analyzed. Physical and chemical major parameters of groundwater such as electrical conductivity (EC), pH, total dissolved solids, Na, K, Ca, Mg, Cl, \(\hbox {HCO}_{3}\), \(\hbox {SO}_{4}\), and \(\hbox {NO}_{3}\) were determined. The important constituents that influence the water quality for irrigation such as sodium percentage, sodium adsorption ratio, soluble sodium percentage, and residual sodium bi-carbonate, and permeability index, Magnesium adsorption ratio, and Kelly’s ratio were calculated. Assessment of water samples from various methods indicated that groundwater in south sector is chemically suitable for agricultural uses, but the groundwater in the coastal sector is unsuitable for irrigation. The highest values of groundwater samples (EC, Cl, and Na) were consistently recorded in the coastal area. This shows that the mineralization of the groundwater is dominated by these two ions (sodium chloride facies). We know that the main source of these ions is likely the sea. The overexploitation of this aquifer without any awareness by farmers for irrigation crops was caused salinization of the portion of the aquifer closest to the coast and made the water unsuitable for the desired uses of either drinking water supply or crop irrigation. It will badly affect crop yield and reduces land fertility.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ahmed SS, Mazumdar QH, Jahan CS, Ahmed M, Islam S (2002) Hydrochemistry and classification of groundwater, Rajshahi city corporation area, Bangladesh. J Geol Soc India 60:411
APHA (2005) Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater, 21st edn. American Public Health Association, Washington
Appelo CAJ, Postma D (2005) Geochemistry, groundwater and pollution, 2nd edn. A.A. Balkema Publishers, Amsterdam 0–41-536428-0
Ayers RS, Westcot DW (1985) Water quality for agriculture. FAO irrigation and drainage paper 29(Rev. 1):1–144
Ayme A, Flandrin J, (1965) Notice explicative de la carte géologique de Tipaza 1/50,000
Ben Moussa A, Zouari K, Marc V (2011) Hydrochemical and isotope evidence of groundwater salinization processes on the coastal plain of Hammamet-Nabeul, northeastern Tunisia. Phys Chem Earth 36(5–6):167–178
Cardona A, Carrillo-Rivera J, Huizar-Alvarez R, Garniel-Castro E (2004) Salinization in coastal aquifers of arid zones: an example from Santo Domingo, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Environ Geol 45:350–366
Custodio E (1987) Hydrogeochemistry and tracers. In: Custodio E (ed) Groundwater problems in coastal areas studies and reports in hydrology, vol 45. UNESCO, Paris
Doneen LD (1964) Notes on water quality in agriculture. Published as a Water Science and Engineering Paper 4001, Department of Water Science and Engineering, University of California
El Yaouti F, El Mandour A, Khattach D, Benavente J, Kaufmann O (2009) Salinization processes in the unconfined aquifer of Bou-Areg (NE Morocco). Appl Geochem 24:16–31
Gupta SK, Gupta IC (1987) Management of Saline Soils and Water. Oxford and IBH Publication Coy, New Delhi, p 399
Joshi DM, Kumar A, Agarwal N (2009) Assessment of the irrigation water quality of river Ganga in Haridwar District. Rasayan J Chem 2:285–292
Kelly WP (1940) Permissible composition and concentration of irrigated waters. In: Proceedings of the A.S.C.F., p. 607
Kumar R, Singh K, Singh B, Aulakh SS (2014) Mapping groundwater quality for irrigation in Punjab, North-West India, using geographical information system. Environ Earth Sci 71:147–161
Mondal NC, Singh VP, Singh S, Singh VS (2011) Hydrochemical characteristic of coastal aquifer from Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, India. Environ Monit Assess 175:531–550
Nagaraju A, Sunil Kumar K, Thejaswi A (2014) Assessment of groundwater quality for irrigation: a case study from Bandalamottu lead mining area. Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh, South India, Appl Water Sci, 12p
Raghunath IIM (1987) Groundwater, 2nd edn. Wiley Eastern Ltd., New Delhi, pp 344–369
Raju N, Janardhana A (2007) Hydrogeochemical parameters for assessment of ground water quality in the upper Gunjanaeru River basin, Cuddapah District, Andhra Predesh, South India. Environ Geol 52:1067–1074
Richard LA (1954) Diagnosis and improvement of saline and alkali soils. Agric Handbook, vol 60. USDA, Washington D.C
Sathish S, Elango L, Rajesh R, Sarma VS (2011) Assessment of seawater mixing in a coastal aquifer by high resolution electrical resistivity tomography. Int J Environ Sci Technol 8:483–492
Schoenleber JR (2005) Field sampling procedures manual. Department of environmental protection, New Jersey, p 574
Sujatha D, Reddy BR (2003) Quality characterization of groundwater in the south-eastern part of the Ranga Reddy district, Andhra Pradesh, India. Environ Geol 44(5):579–586
Suribabu CR, Ravindar S, Ananadapadmanaban S, Seshadri S, Bhaskar J (2012) Tracing the evidence of sea water intrusion in the coastal aquifer of Adhirampattinam, India, using hydro-chemical analysis. J Hydraul Eng 18(2):90–100
Wilcox LV (1955) Classification and use of irrigation water. Agric circ 969. USDA, Washington D.C., p 19
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bouderbala, A. Assessment of Groundwater Quality and its Suitability for Agricultural Uses in the Nador Plain, North of Algeria. Water Qual Expo Health 7, 445–457 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12403-015-0160-z
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12403-015-0160-z