Groundwater for drinking and sustainable agriculture and public health hazards of nitrate: Developmental and sustainability implications for an arid aquifer system
This study evaluates groundwater quality in the Lower Cretaceous Aquifer (LCA) of Timimoun, Algeria, for drinking and agricultural uses, focusing on geochemical influences on water mineralization and public health risks. A total of 44 groundwater samples were analyzed for physicochemical parameters,...
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| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Results in Engineering |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123025002488 |
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| author | Boualem Bouselsal Adel Satouh Johnbosco C. Egbueri Mofreh A. Hashim Ahmed A. Arafat Prabhu Paramasivam Ali Alzaed Enas E. Hussein |
| author_facet | Boualem Bouselsal Adel Satouh Johnbosco C. Egbueri Mofreh A. Hashim Ahmed A. Arafat Prabhu Paramasivam Ali Alzaed Enas E. Hussein |
| author_sort | Boualem Bouselsal |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study evaluates groundwater quality in the Lower Cretaceous Aquifer (LCA) of Timimoun, Algeria, for drinking and agricultural uses, focusing on geochemical influences on water mineralization and public health risks. A total of 44 groundwater samples were analyzed for physicochemical parameters, including pH, major ions (Ca2+, K+, Na+, Mg2+, SO42−, Cl−, NO3−, HCO3−) total dissolved solids (TDS), and electrical conductivity (EC). The Water Quality Index (WQI) categorized the groundwater as good (54.54 %), poor (31.82 %), very poor (9.09 %), and unsuitable for drinking (4.55 %). Agricultural suitability was assessed using metrics such as Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR), Sodium Percentage (Na%), and Permeability Index (PI), revealing a range from permissible to doubtful irrigation quality. Examination of Gibbs and Piper plots and relationships between major elements, alongside the calculations for saturation indices of key minerals, revealed the groundwater was weakly alkaline with dominant Ca-Mg-Cl and Na-Cl hydrogeochemical types in the LCA water. The processes of evaporite and silicate minerals dissolution and cationic exchange were the dominant mechanisms behind the ion generation. Notably, Nitrate concentrations (9–80 mg/L) exceeded safe limits in 29.54 % of samples, posing significant health risks, especially to infants and children, with Hazard Quotient (HQ) values exceeding 1 in 97.73 % of infants, 95.45 % of children, and 45.54 % of adults. The integration of the water quality index, health risk assessments, hydrogeochemical modeling, and GIS mapping provides a comprehensive framework for analyzing groundwater in arid regions under pressure from climate change and human activities. These findings highlight the need for integrated strategies for sustainable groundwater management worldwide. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-82b59d15e8f44d74a29be711a24cccf7 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2590-1230 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Results in Engineering |
| spelling | doaj-art-82b59d15e8f44d74a29be711a24cccf72025-01-31T05:12:20ZengElsevierResults in Engineering2590-12302025-03-0125104160Groundwater for drinking and sustainable agriculture and public health hazards of nitrate: Developmental and sustainability implications for an arid aquifer systemBoualem Bouselsal0Adel Satouh1Johnbosco C. Egbueri2Mofreh A. Hashim3Ahmed A. Arafat4Prabhu Paramasivam5Ali Alzaed6Enas E. Hussein7Laboratory of Underground Oil, Gas and Aquifer Reservoirs, Department of Earth and Universe Sciences, University of Kasdi Merbah, Ghardaia Road, PO Box 511, 30000, Ouargla, AlgeriaSahara Geology Laboratory. Department of Earth and Universe Sciences, University of Kasdi Merbah, Ghardaia Road, PO Box 511, 30000, Ouargla, AlgeriaDepartment of Geology, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli 431124, Nigeria; Research Management Office, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Anambra, NigeriaWater Management Research Institute, National Water Research Center, Shubra El-Kheima 13411, EgyptDepartment of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Mattu University, Mettu 318, Ethiopia; Centre for Research Impact & Outcome, Chitkara University Institute of Engineering and Technology, Chitkara University, Rajpura 140401, Punjab, India; Corresponding author.Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi ArabiaWater Management Research Institute, National Water Research Center, Shubra El-Kheima 13411, EgyptThis study evaluates groundwater quality in the Lower Cretaceous Aquifer (LCA) of Timimoun, Algeria, for drinking and agricultural uses, focusing on geochemical influences on water mineralization and public health risks. A total of 44 groundwater samples were analyzed for physicochemical parameters, including pH, major ions (Ca2+, K+, Na+, Mg2+, SO42−, Cl−, NO3−, HCO3−) total dissolved solids (TDS), and electrical conductivity (EC). The Water Quality Index (WQI) categorized the groundwater as good (54.54 %), poor (31.82 %), very poor (9.09 %), and unsuitable for drinking (4.55 %). Agricultural suitability was assessed using metrics such as Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR), Sodium Percentage (Na%), and Permeability Index (PI), revealing a range from permissible to doubtful irrigation quality. Examination of Gibbs and Piper plots and relationships between major elements, alongside the calculations for saturation indices of key minerals, revealed the groundwater was weakly alkaline with dominant Ca-Mg-Cl and Na-Cl hydrogeochemical types in the LCA water. The processes of evaporite and silicate minerals dissolution and cationic exchange were the dominant mechanisms behind the ion generation. Notably, Nitrate concentrations (9–80 mg/L) exceeded safe limits in 29.54 % of samples, posing significant health risks, especially to infants and children, with Hazard Quotient (HQ) values exceeding 1 in 97.73 % of infants, 95.45 % of children, and 45.54 % of adults. The integration of the water quality index, health risk assessments, hydrogeochemical modeling, and GIS mapping provides a comprehensive framework for analyzing groundwater in arid regions under pressure from climate change and human activities. These findings highlight the need for integrated strategies for sustainable groundwater management worldwide.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123025002488TimimounWater quality indexIrrigation water qualityHealth risk assessmentNitrate pollutionStatistical computing |
| spellingShingle | Boualem Bouselsal Adel Satouh Johnbosco C. Egbueri Mofreh A. Hashim Ahmed A. Arafat Prabhu Paramasivam Ali Alzaed Enas E. Hussein Groundwater for drinking and sustainable agriculture and public health hazards of nitrate: Developmental and sustainability implications for an arid aquifer system Results in Engineering Timimoun Water quality index Irrigation water quality Health risk assessment Nitrate pollution Statistical computing |
| title | Groundwater for drinking and sustainable agriculture and public health hazards of nitrate: Developmental and sustainability implications for an arid aquifer system |
| title_full | Groundwater for drinking and sustainable agriculture and public health hazards of nitrate: Developmental and sustainability implications for an arid aquifer system |
| title_fullStr | Groundwater for drinking and sustainable agriculture and public health hazards of nitrate: Developmental and sustainability implications for an arid aquifer system |
| title_full_unstemmed | Groundwater for drinking and sustainable agriculture and public health hazards of nitrate: Developmental and sustainability implications for an arid aquifer system |
| title_short | Groundwater for drinking and sustainable agriculture and public health hazards of nitrate: Developmental and sustainability implications for an arid aquifer system |
| title_sort | groundwater for drinking and sustainable agriculture and public health hazards of nitrate developmental and sustainability implications for an arid aquifer system |
| topic | Timimoun Water quality index Irrigation water quality Health risk assessment Nitrate pollution Statistical computing |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123025002488 |
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