Impact of the Urban and Industrial Waste Water on Surface and Groundwater, in the Region of Annaba, (Algeria)

Abstract“The characterization of a hydrologically complex contaminated site bordering the river of Meboudja (Annaba, Algeria) was” undertaken by investigating surface water and groundwater affected by Number of urban and industrial waste water have been established during the period 1999-2007 in El-Hadjar Industrial Development Area in the region of Annaba, North-East of Algeria. The treated and untreated effluents from the cities and industries are to be discharged in Meboudja river groundwater level and water quality monitoring was carried out during 1999 - 2007 in El-Hadjar and its surrounding areas. Surface water samples were also analyzed for the water quality. The groundwater shows a high electric conductivity (more than 560μScm-1 with a maximum exceeding 20000μScm-1), a high chloride content (with a maximum greater than 6000 mgl-1), and a high sodium concentration (mean = 420 mgl-1) are observed for the wells located down gradient and near industrial waste water. Also, high metallic concentrations (0.02-1.25 mgl-1 in chromium) are observed in these wells. Meboudja is acting as a diffuse source of contaminations all along its course. Aquifer parameters were estimated by carrying out pumping test at a number of wells. Groundwater flow and mass transport models were prepared using visual MODFLOW software. The extent of contaminants migration from Meboudja and other streams has been assessed for 8 years (1999-2007). The stream-aquifer interaction was found to be responsible for faster migration of contaminants in the over-exploited area East of Seybous