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Article

Assessment of Groundwater Quality for Irrigation in the Semi-Arid Region of Oum El Bouaghi (Northeastern Algeria) Using Groundwater Quality and Pollution Indices and GIS Techniques

by
Norelhouda Messaid
1,
Ramzi Hadjab
1,
Hichem Khammar
1,*,
Aymen Hadjab
2,
Nadhir Bouchema
1,
Abderrezzeq Chebout
3,
Mourad Aqnouy
4,
Ourania Tzoraki
5 and
Lahcen Benaabidate
6
1
Laboratory of Functional Ecology and Environment, Department of Life and Nature Sciences, Faculty of Exact Sciences and Life and Nature Sciences, University of Larbi Ben M’hidi, Oum El Bouaghi 04000, Algeria
2
Water and Environmental Biology Laboratory, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences and Earth and Universe Sciences, University of 8 May 1945, Guelma 24000, Algeria
3
Bioactive Molecules and Application Laboratory, Faculty of Exact Sciences and Natural and Life Sciences, Larbi Tebessi University, Tebessa 12002, Algeria
4
Applied Geology Research Laboratory, Applied Geology and Remote Sensing Research Team, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, Moulay Ismaïl University of Meknes, Boutalamine P.O. Box 509, Errachidia 52000, Morocco
5
Department of Marine Sciences, University of the Aegean, 2007 Mytilene, Lesvos, Greece
6
Laboratory of Geo-Resources and Environment, University of Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah, Route d’Imouzzer P.O. Box 2202, Fez 30000, Morocco
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Water 2025, 17(22), 3266; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17223266
Submission received: 18 June 2025 / Revised: 14 August 2025 / Accepted: 26 August 2025 / Published: 15 November 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Hydrogeology and Hydrochemistry: Challenges and Prospects)
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Abstract

Groundwater quality in the semi-arid region of Oum El Bouaghi, Northeastern Algeria, was assessed for irrigation suitability using hydrogeochemical analyses, water quality indices, and GIS techniques. The study analyzed 23 groundwater samples during dry and wet seasons in 2022–2023, several physicochemical parameters were measured. Results revealed neutral to slightly alkaline pH levels, except for one acidic sample, with salinity (EC: 527–5001 µS·cm−1) exceeding WHO guidelines, particularly during the dry season due to evaporation and anthropogenic activities. Hydrogeochemical facies showed dominance of Na+-HCO3− and Ca2+-Cl−/SO42− water types, indicating rock–water interactions and evaporation control, as confirmed by Gibbs plots. The IWQI classified water into five categories, with severe restrictions (IWQI < 40) in 13% of samples during the dry season, improving slightly in the wet season. Indices such as SAR, Na%, and RSC indicated low to moderate sodium hazard, while KR and PS highlighted salinity risks in specific areas. Spatial analysis revealed localized pollution hotspots, with the (GPI) identifying minimal to high contamination levels, linked to agricultural and geogenic sources. These findings underscore needs for sustainable groundwater management, including monitoring, optimized irrigation practices, and mitigation of anthropogenic impacts, to ensure long-term agricultural viability in this water-scarce region.
Keywords: groundwater quality; irrigation suitability; hydro-geochemistry; water quality indices; semi-arid region; Algeria groundwater quality; irrigation suitability; hydro-geochemistry; water quality indices; semi-arid region; Algeria

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MDPI and ACS Style

Messaid, N.; Hadjab, R.; Khammar, H.; Hadjab, A.; Bouchema, N.; Chebout, A.; Aqnouy, M.; Tzoraki, O.; Benaabidate, L. Assessment of Groundwater Quality for Irrigation in the Semi-Arid Region of Oum El Bouaghi (Northeastern Algeria) Using Groundwater Quality and Pollution Indices and GIS Techniques. Water 2025, 17, 3266. https://doi.org/10.3390/w17223266

AMA Style

Messaid N, Hadjab R, Khammar H, Hadjab A, Bouchema N, Chebout A, Aqnouy M, Tzoraki O, Benaabidate L. Assessment of Groundwater Quality for Irrigation in the Semi-Arid Region of Oum El Bouaghi (Northeastern Algeria) Using Groundwater Quality and Pollution Indices and GIS Techniques. Water. 2025; 17(22):3266. https://doi.org/10.3390/w17223266

Chicago/Turabian Style

Messaid, Norelhouda, Ramzi Hadjab, Hichem Khammar, Aymen Hadjab, Nadhir Bouchema, Abderrezzeq Chebout, Mourad Aqnouy, Ourania Tzoraki, and Lahcen Benaabidate. 2025. "Assessment of Groundwater Quality for Irrigation in the Semi-Arid Region of Oum El Bouaghi (Northeastern Algeria) Using Groundwater Quality and Pollution Indices and GIS Techniques" Water 17, no. 22: 3266. https://doi.org/10.3390/w17223266

APA Style

Messaid, N., Hadjab, R., Khammar, H., Hadjab, A., Bouchema, N., Chebout, A., Aqnouy, M., Tzoraki, O., & Benaabidate, L. (2025). Assessment of Groundwater Quality for Irrigation in the Semi-Arid Region of Oum El Bouaghi (Northeastern Algeria) Using Groundwater Quality and Pollution Indices and GIS Techniques. Water, 17(22), 3266. https://doi.org/10.3390/w17223266

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