Abstract
In this work, we present results of the hydrogeochemical and isotopic studies on groundwater samples from the El Ma El Abiod Sandstone aquifer, in Tébessa, Algeria. Chemical and environmental isotope data are presented and discussed in order to identify the geochemical processes and their relation with groundwater quality as well as to get an insight into the hydrochemical evaluation, in space and time, of groundwater and of the origin of dissolved species. A combined hydrogeologic and isotopic investigation have been carried out using chemical and isotopic data to deduce a hydrochemical evaluation of the aquifer system based on the ionic constituents, water types, hydrochemical facies, and factors controlling groundwater quality. All of the investigated groundwaters are categorized into two chemical types: low mineralized water type and relatively high mineralized water type. Interpretation of chemical data, based on thermodynamic calculations and geochemical reaction models of selected water groups constructed using PHREEQC, suggest that the chemical evolution of groundwater is primarily controlled by water–rock interactions, involving (1) acidic weathering of aluminosilicates, (2) dissolution of secondary carbonate minerals, and (3) cation exchange of Na+ for Ca2+. However, the original composition of groundwater may have been modified by further secondary processes such as mixing of chemically different water masses. The combined use of SI and mass-balance modeling has shown to be a useful approach in interpreting groundwater hydrochemistry in an area where large uncertainties exist in the understanding of the groundwater flow system. Interpretation of 18O and 2H, suggest that the recharge of the investigated groundwaters may result from different mechanisms.
ملخص
يقدم هذا العمل نتائجا هيدروجيوكيمائية و أخرى لنظائر عناصر كيمائية تخص الخزان الرملي لمنطقة الماء الأبيض بولاية تبسة الجزائرية. كل النتائج قدمت و نوقشت لأجل التعريف باللأليات الكيمائية و علاقتها بنوعية المياه الجوفية إلى جانب تطورها الميداني و الزمني من خلال أصل العناصر الكيمائية المذابة.
أضهرت عينات المياه المدروسة نوعان مختلفان من المياه‚ قسم قليل الأملاح و ثان على قدر كبير من الأملاح المذابة.
أوضحت الشروحات الترموديناميكية‚ عن طريق حساب التفاعلات باستخدام برنامج PHREEQC و نموذج هيدروكيمائي‚ أن تركيبة المياه تخضع لنوعية الخزان و تحليل بعض الأنواع المعدنية إلى جانب تبادل العناصر بين الصخرة الخازنة و المياه المختزنة. النظائر المستعملة لم تقدم شرحا دقيقا بل أكدت أن أصل مياه الخزان يعود إلى ميكانزمات عديدة.
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Acknowledgements
The authors thank the anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments. This work has been realized through the framework of two CNPRU projects G02920070001 (2008) and G02920060020 (2007). We would like to thank Profs. Djabri L., HANI A. and Kherici N. (Algeria) and Ouddane B. (France).
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Rouabhia, A., Baali, F., Fehdi, C. et al. Hydrogeochemistry of groundwaters in a semi-arid region. El Ma El Abiod aquifer, Eastern Algeria. Arab J Geosci 4, 973–982 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-010-0169-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-010-0169-3