DETERMINATION OF THE CONTAMINATION LEVEL IN GROUNDWATER IN THE SEBKHA OF ELMAHMEL AREA, NORTH EASTERN OF ALGERIA
A. SEDRATI, B.HOUHA, G. ROMANESCU, H.CHENAKER
ABSTRACT. – Determination of the contamination level in groundwater of the Sebkha of El-mahmel NE Algeria. The study area is located in the municipality of El-Mahmel located in the extension East and North east of the Aurès Nemamcha mountains in the city of Khenchela, Northern east of Algeria. This study is related to a research on groundwater pollution from anthropogenic emissions and secondly by the migration of salt water intrusion from the Sebkha in response to intensive pumping. The physico-chemical characterization of water by measurements on site and laboratory analysis allowed defining the degree of saltwater contamination and its spatial spread. This salt contamination of groundwater would be accentuated by the discharge of wastewater into the Sebkha, the irrational use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and intensive pumping. By this action, we alerted the government to the need to build a wastewater treatment plant, the need for a delineation of protection areas or would be prohibited to establish drilling. Finally, make farmers of El Mahmel aware of the risk of deterioration in the water quality monitoring of disease outbreaks and soil infertility by the accumulation of salts (alkalization and sodization of soil) with the disappearance of all cultures if they not reduce pumping water.
Keywords: pollution, groundwater, contamination, Sebkha, Algeria.