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Journal of Environmental Hydrology
ISSN 1058-3912 |
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Electronic Journal of the International Association for
Environmental Hydrology
JEH Volume 15 (2007), Paper 26 Posted November 21, 2007 GEOCHEMICAL AND ISOTOPIC CHARACTERIZATION OF HIGH-MG GROUNDWATERS IN AN ENDORHEIC BASIN, AIN OUSSERA, ALGERIA
Naïma Mebrouk1 2Université d'Avignon et des Pays du Vaucluse, Laboratoire d'Hydrogéologie, Avignon, France 3Université des Sciences et Technologies Houari Boumediene, Dpt. Sciences de la Terre, Alger, Algeria ABSTRACT In the Ain Oussera plain of Algeria, most boreholes and wells discharge undifferentiated groundwaters from the complex Quaternary-Albian aquifers. Existing piezometric and hydrochemical maps do not show a clear difference between aquifer sources. This study uses temperatures and redox potential measurements to identify water from the different aquifers The analysis of temperatures allows the identification of thermal anomalies existing between various source levels within the aquifers. Redox potential measurements confirm the presence of two zones defined as shallow, cold, and oxidizing waters and deep, warmer, and reducing waters. Between these two extremes there are zones of mixing between the systems. Salinity, expressed as electrical conductivity, varies from 590 to 4260 µs/cm, and waters are dominated by magnesium ion. The hydrochemical zonation in the aquifers has been verified by isotopic measurements of tritium and oxygen l8. Adjusted carbon 14 ages were also calculated using different models. Reference: Mebrouk, N., B. Blavoux, A. Issaadi, and V. Marc. 2007. Geochemical and isotopic characterization of high-Mg groundwaters in an endorheic basin, Ain Oussera, Algeria. Journal of Environmental Hydrology, Vol. 15, Paper 26. CONTACT: Naïma Mebrouk University of Oran es Sénia, FSTGAT Earth Science Department Water and Environment Laboratory B.P. 1524 Oran el M'naouer Oran 31000 Algeria E-mail: nmebrouk@hotmail.com |
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