Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Contribution of Geostatistical Methods to Water Quality Assessment: a Case Study of the Tebessa Plain (Easternmost Algeria)

  • GEOECOLOGY
  • Published:
Doklady Earth Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In the Algerian-Tunisian border region lies the Tebessa plain, which belongs to the Saharan Atlas domain and is characterized by a semi-arid climate and high salinity, often rendering the groundwater unusable. The objective of this research is to highlight groundwater salinization using statistical and geostatistical methods to model this spatial heterogeneity. A total of 30 data points were used, and the statistical analysis revealed a strong association between chlorides, sulfates, electrical conductivity, and values significantly exceeding the standards. Surface and directional variograms for EC (electrical conductivity), SO4 (sulfates), and Cl (chlorides) exhibit anisotropy, with the major axis showing a hole effect and a periodicity of 5 km. Geostatistical mapping through ordinary kriging allowed us to identify areas of high salinity and deduce the underlying cause; which is the dissolution of gypsiferous formations. These results were confirmed by thermodynamics and Sr2+/Ca2+ ratio.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 3.
Fig. 4.
Fig. 5.
Fig. 6.
Fig. 7.

Similar content being viewed by others

REFERENCES

  1. S. Zamiche, F. Hamaidi-Chergui, A. Demiai, and M. Belaidi, Rev. Agrobiol. 7 (2), 644–657 (2017).

    Google Scholar 

  2. L. Ghreib, A. Maoui, Sciendo E. Boudjebieur, and Y. Gueroui, Civil Environ. Eng. Rep. 31 (3), 18–36 (2021). https://doi.org/10.2478/ceer-2021-0032

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. C. Berkani, M. Boulabeiz, N. Dali, N. Sedrati, and B. Houha, Carpathian J. Earth Environ. Sci. 18 (1), 115–126 (2023). https://doi.org/10.26471/cjees.2023/018/245

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. S. Mejri, A. Chekirbene, M. Tsujimura, M. Boughdiri, and A. Mlayah, J. Afr. Earth Sci. 147, 511–522 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2018.07.009

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. L. Djabri, S. Bouhsina, H. Azzedine, and A. Pulido, Algeria, Proc. Int. Assoc. Hydrol. Sci. 364, 357–362 (2013). https://doi.org/10.5194/piahs-364-357-2014

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. A. Agoubi, A. Kharroubi, T. Abichou, and H. Abida, Appl. Water Sci. 3, 415–429 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-013-0091-4

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. A. Journel and G. Huijbregts, Mining Geostatistics (Acad. Press, London, 1978).

    Google Scholar 

  8. J. M. Vila, Mem. Geol. Serv. Algeria, No. 6, 105–152 (1994).

  9. W. Kowalski and M. M. Hamimed, Bull. Geol. Serv. Algeria 11 (1), 29–60 (2000).

    Google Scholar 

  10. G. Dubourdieu, Ph. D. Thesis (Univ. of Paris, 1956).

  11. A. Bouzenoune, Ph. D. Thesis (Univ. of Pierre and Marie Curie, Paris, 1993).

  12. M. Aoudjehane, in Source, Transport, and Deposition of Metals, Ed. by J. L. Leroy and M. Pagel (Belkema, Rotterdam, 1991).

    Google Scholar 

  13. S. Brahmi, Ph. D. Thesis (Univ. of Tebessa, Algeria, 2021).

  14. L. Ghreib, Ph. D. Thesis (Univ. of Tebessa, Algeria, 2011).

  15. A. Morineau, Principal Components (CISIA Edition, Ceresta, 1988).

  16. G. Matheron, The Theory of Regionalized Variables and Its Applications (École Nationale Supérieure des Mines de Paris, 1971).

    Google Scholar 

  17. M. Armstrong and J. Carignan, Linear Geostatistics, Mining Applications (The School of Mines Press, Paris, 1997).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

This work was supported by ongoing institutional funding. No additional grants to carry out or direct this particular research were obtained.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology, Laboratory of Geology, Badji Mokhtar University, Annaba, Algeria

    Halimi Fahima

  2. Department of Geology, Water Resources and Sustainable Development Laboratory, Badji Mokhtar University, Annaba, Algeria

    Djabri Larbi

Authors
  1. Halimi Fahima
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Djabri Larbi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

Dr. Halimi Fahima made significant contributions to the design, analysis, data interpretation, programming, modeling, manuscript writing; contributed to the design, analysis, and data interpretation; Pr. Djabri Larbi played a role in the design, and proofreading of the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Halimi Fahima.

Ethics declarations

The authors of this work declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Publisher’s Note.

Pleiades Publishing remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Fahima, H., Larbi, D. Contribution of Geostatistical Methods to Water Quality Assessment: a Case Study of the Tebessa Plain (Easternmost Algeria). Dokl. Earth Sc. (2024). https://doi.org/10.1134/S1028334X23602985

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S1028334X23602985

Keywords:

Search

Navigation