Water Quality Of The Kebir Watershed, Northeast Of Algeria

Water is a natural resource indispensable not only for the maintenance of human life and health but also for the preservation of all ecosystems and economic activities. At the global level, water is threatened in its quality and quantity by various pollutions such as uncontrolled urban and industrial wastes, excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture and the exploitation irrationality of this resource. Water quality in Kebir River has been adversely affected by pollutants usually without any treatment. Chemical and physical degradations are due to agricultural and industrial practices and domestic wastewaters. The aim of the present study is to evaluate water quality of the Kebir and Bougous rivers. The physicochemical parameters are analyzed by using the Titrimetry standard procedure and a Spectrophotometer device. The observed values of different physical and chemical parameters like temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, chloride ions, calcium, magnesium, sulfate, nitrite, nitrate, and ammonium have been also performed. Water is sampled at three study sites with four surveys during 2015 and 2016. The results show the existence of a seasonal variation of the physicochemical element concentrations. Also, there is an eutrophication caused mainly by chemical fertilizers used for agriculture. The present findings alert the inhabitant’s sanitation of irrigation water and environmental hygiene, where water quality varies from a moderate pollution state at some sampling stations to a very strong pollution downstream. The used parameters can also be useful when searching deeply for pollution causes and when planning preventive measures for protective purpose.