Hydrochemical analysis and groundwater quality assessment for irrigation in the Remila Plain, Khenchela, Northeast Algeria

Water resources are facing significant challenges in result of rapidly growing demand, deteriorating quality, and the effects of climate change. Today, water quantity and quality issues have become prevalent in various regions across the globe, affecting both northern and southern territories. Among the sectors reliant on this resource, irrigation stands out as the largest consumer of water. When surface water becomes inaccessible due to insufficient precipitation or other factors, the use of groundwater becomes the only viable alternative for irrigation. The Remila Plain (Khenchela) is located in an endorean watershed in northeastern Algeria and extends over 250 km2 in a synclinal basin filled with water from the Mio-Plio Quaternary - the main aquifer of the region, widely used for irrigation. The aim of this work is to study the hydrochemistry of these waters, as well as the evolution of mineralisation, the identification of the origin of the chemistry, and the suitability of these waters for irrigation. Initial results indicate an evolution of mineralisation in the direction of groundwater flow, with electrical conductivity values varying between 1000μS/cm in the recharge zones, and 2700μS/cm at the outlet. This mineralisation is mainly due to the dissolution of evaporitic minerals and the alteration of silicates. In addition, the various water quality indices used indicate that the water can be used for irrigation without major risk to plants and soils.