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Journal of Groundwater Science and Engineering 2023, 11(3): 263-277 https://doi.org/10.26599/JGSE.2023.9280022
Research paper | Open Access | Issue | Published: 15 September 2023

Assessing the impact of artificial recharge on groundwater in an over-exploited aquifer: A case study in the Cheria Basin, North-East of Algeria

Show Author's Information Mouna Djellali1,  Omar Guefaïfia1,  Chemsedinne Fehdi1( ),  Adel Djellali2,  Amor Hamad1
Sedimentary Environment, Mineral and Water Resources of Eastern Algeria Laboratory, Department of Earth sciences and universe, Larbi Tebessi University, 12002 Tebessa, Algeria
Environmental laboratory, Mining institute, Larbi Tebessi University, 12002 Tebessa, Algeria
Keywords:
Numerical simulation, Artificial recharge, Eocene limestone, Piezometric level, Visual MODFLOW Flex
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Djellali M, Guefaïfia O, Fehdi C, et al. Assessing the impact of artificial recharge on groundwater in an over-exploited aquifer: A case study in the Cheria Basin, North-East of Algeria. Journal of Groundwater Science and Engineering, 2023, 11(3): 263-277. https://doi.org/10.26599/JGSE.2023.9280022
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Abstract Full text About this article

The Cheria region in Northeastern Algeria has been facing aquifer overexploitation by the agricultural sector and prolonged droughts, resulting in a considerable decline in groundwater levels. This study investigates the feasibility of implementing artificial recharge techniques to replenish the Eocene aquifer which serves as the primary water source in the Cheria region. A 3D transient numerical model, based on the finite difference method, was used to simulate groundwater flow from 2021 to 2031 using Visual MODFLOW Flex. During the modelling process, three scenarios were considered: (1) including pumping without a recharge, (2) recharge of the entire area through efficient infiltration without pumping, and (3) artificial recharge using river water infiltration basins at two sites, Draa Douamis sinkholes and Eocene limestone outcrops. The simulation results showed that aquifer exploitation without recharge caused significant drawdowns, which were 3 m to 7 m in the north-eastern part and 8 m to 12 m in the central and southern parts. In contrast, the second scenario, involving recharge without pumping, showed a rise in groundwater levels of 2 m to 2.7 m in the north-eastern part and 3 m to 3.62 m in the central and southern parts. The third scenario, employing artificial recharge, indicated a positive response to artificial recharge, with increased piezometric levels at the proposed sites, signifying a beneficial impact on the aquifer. These findings underline the potential of artificial recharge as a promising approach to address the groundwater depletion and environmental issues in the Cheria Basin.


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About this article

Assessing the impact of artificial recharge on groundwater in an over-exploited aquifer: A case study in the Cheria Basin, North-East of Algeria

Show Author's information Mouna Djellali1, Omar Guefaïfia1, Chemsedinne Fehdi1( ), Adel Djellali2, Amor Hamad1
Sedimentary Environment, Mineral and Water Resources of Eastern Algeria Laboratory, Department of Earth sciences and universe, Larbi Tebessi University, 12002 Tebessa, Algeria
Environmental laboratory, Mining institute, Larbi Tebessi University, 12002 Tebessa, Algeria

Abstract

The Cheria region in Northeastern Algeria has been facing aquifer overexploitation by the agricultural sector and prolonged droughts, resulting in a considerable decline in groundwater levels. This study investigates the feasibility of implementing artificial recharge techniques to replenish the Eocene aquifer which serves as the primary water source in the Cheria region. A 3D transient numerical model, based on the finite difference method, was used to simulate groundwater flow from 2021 to 2031 using Visual MODFLOW Flex. During the modelling process, three scenarios were considered: (1) including pumping without a recharge, (2) recharge of the entire area through efficient infiltration without pumping, and (3) artificial recharge using river water infiltration basins at two sites, Draa Douamis sinkholes and Eocene limestone outcrops. The simulation results showed that aquifer exploitation without recharge caused significant drawdowns, which were 3 m to 7 m in the north-eastern part and 8 m to 12 m in the central and southern parts. In contrast, the second scenario, involving recharge without pumping, showed a rise in groundwater levels of 2 m to 2.7 m in the north-eastern part and 3 m to 3.62 m in the central and southern parts. The third scenario, employing artificial recharge, indicated a positive response to artificial recharge, with increased piezometric levels at the proposed sites, signifying a beneficial impact on the aquifer. These findings underline the potential of artificial recharge as a promising approach to address the groundwater depletion and environmental issues in the Cheria Basin.

Keywords: Numerical simulation, Artificial recharge, Eocene limestone, Piezometric level, Visual MODFLOW Flex

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Received: 06 May 2022
Accepted: 21 May 2023
Published: 15 September 2023
Issue date: September 2023

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2305-7068/© 2023 Journal of Groundwater Science and Engineering Editorial Office

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