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Geographic information system–based approach and statistical modeling for assessing nitrate distribution in the Mitidja aquifer, Northern Algeria

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A Correction to this article was published on 17 November 2021

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Abstract

The Mitidja alluvial aquifer in northern Algeria is an important drinking, industrial, and agricultural water source. Unfortunately, nitrate contamination has led to a decrease in water quality in several areas that benefit from this source. This study employed geographic information system and statistical modeling methods to evaluate the origin, evolution, and spatiotemporal distribution of groundwater nitrate in the aquifer and investigate the influence of different hydrogeological parameters on its extent. Control points were established across various regions of the Mitidja groundwater aquifer. A total of 1185 nitrate concentrations were measured at 316 sampling points between June 1985 and May 2015. The results showed variable rates, with the 50 mg/L nitrate consumption limit exceeded in 423 samples at 84 observation points. Statistical modeling showed that nitrate concentration was related to groundwater characteristics (aquifer nature, water table depth, and thickness of saturated zone) and human activities (land use, agricultural practices, and population density). Analysis of the nitrate distribution showed that the eastern and western watersheds experienced the greatest contamination. The significant nitrate concentrations in the eastern area were correlated with urban contamination, including uncontrolled urbanization, high population density, and industrial activity, while the primary origin of nitrate in the western area was correlated with agricultural activity, particularly fertilizers. The findings of this study can aid local government and water agencies in the development and implementation of regulations to help mitigate increases in nitrate concentrations.

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Data availability

The dataset used during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Change history

Abbreviations

ABH:

Agency of Hydrographical Basins

ANRH:

Agence Nationale des Ressources Hydrauliques (National Water Resources Agency)

DEA:

Direction d’Environnement d’Alger (Environmental Direction of Algiers)

DEAH:

Direction des Études et Aménagement Hydrauliques (Directorate of Hydraulic Studies and Facilities)

DEMRH:

Direction des Études de Milieu et de la Recherche Hydraulique (Direction of Environmental Studies and Hydraulic Research)

GIS:

Geographic information system

GPI:

Grand Périmètre Irrigué (Large irrigated perimeter)

INSID:

Institut National du Sol, Irrigation et du Drainage (National Institute for Soil, Irrigation and Drainage)

MADR:

Ministère d’Agriculture et de Développement Rural (Agricultural and Rural Development Ministry)

MCL:

Maximum concentration level (mg/L)

ONID:

Office National d’Irrigation et Drainage (National Office of Irrigation and Drainage)

SEAAL:

Société des Eaux et d’Assainissement d’Alger (Algiers Water and Sanitation Company)

UAS:

Useful agricultural surface

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Acknowledgements

We thank El Hadi BEZINI and Ahmed BELAOUNI from the Biological Department of Djelfa University for their feeding support on statistical modeling. We also thank Rabah Talabolma from the National Office of Irrigation and Drainage (ONID) and Omar Adel Lagoun, engineer in geography, for their support for GIS modeling and mapping. Data used in this paper were collected by many departments. We would therefore like to thank the following: Larbi Arzeki from Water and Sanitation Society of Algiers (SEAAL); Mohamed Djeni and Bahia Bellahcen from Agricultural Service Direction of Blida and Algiers; Ouardi and Ahmed Merhoune from Water Resources Direction of Algiers and Blida; Belaidi and Farida Khemissi from National Water Resources Agency of Blida (ANRH); Myassa Stof, Mohamed Kessira, Omar Tizerarine, and Arbi Kiousse from Agricultural and Rural Development Ministry (MADR); Moussa Yaalaoui and Fadeli from Water Resources Ministry (MRE); and Zahida and Djamel Zareb from National Institute for Soil, Irrigation and Drainage (INSID).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Environment, Water, Geomechanics and Structures, Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Science and Technology Houari Boumediene, Postal Box 32, 16004, Alia, Bab Ezzouar, Algiers, EL, Algeria

    Ali Mansour LAGOUN & Souaad BOUZID-LAGHA

  2. Scientific and Technical Research Centre On Physical and Chemical Analysis, Industrial Zone, Postal Box 384, 42004, Bou Ismail, Tipaza, Algeria

    Ali Mansour LAGOUN

  3. Laboratory of Catalytic Materials & Catalysis in Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Science and Technology Houari Boumediene, Postal Box 32, 16111, Alia, Bab Ezzouar, Algiers, EL, Algeria

    Nadia BENDJABALLAH-LALAOUI

  4. Department of Geology, College of Science, Emirates University, Al Ain, UAE

    Hakim SAIBI

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  1. Ali Mansour LAGOUN
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Appendices

Appendix 1. Kolmogorov–Smirnov’s normality test and Mann–Whitney U test to examine the effects of aquifer nature (unconfined and confined) on groundwater nitrate concentration

Aquifer nature

Sampling points

Samples

Kolmogorov–Smirnov’s normality test

Mann–Whitney U test

p value

Decision

p value

Mean (mg/L)

Unconfined

235

1037

 < 0.0001

Non-Normal

 < 0.0001

40,28b

Confined

81

148

 < 0.0001

Non-Normal

24,18a

Appendix 2. Kruskal–Wallis test to examine the effects of saturated zone thickness (0–20 m, 20–120 m, and 120–140 m) on groundwater nitrate concentration. A post hoc Conover-Iman test with Bonferroni correction was used to determine the significance level (p = 0.0167). Significant differences (p ≤ 0.0167) indicated by different letters

Saturated zone class (m)

Samples

Kolmogorov–Smirnov’s normality test

Kruskal–Wallis’s test

Conover-Iman’s test

p value

Distribution

p value

Average rank (mg/L)

Groups

0–20

51

0.4060

Normal

 < 0.0001

334,03

c

20–120

304

0.0092

Non-normal

222,29

b

120–236

89

0.0552

Non-normal

159,31

a

Appendix 3. Kruskal–Wallis test to examine the effects of water table depth (< 5 m, 5–30 m, and > 30 m) on groundwater nitrate concentration. A post hoc Conover-Iman’s test with Bonferroni correction was used to determine the significance level (p = 0.0167). Significant differences (p ≤ 0.0167) indicated by different letters

Water tables class

Sampling points

Samples

Kolmogorov–Smirnov’s normality test

Kruskal–Wallis’s test

Conover-Iman’s test

p value

Distribution

p value

Average rank (mg/L)

Groups

 < 5

5

41

0.2361

Normal

 < 0.0001

345,06

c

5–30

41

203

 < 0.0001

Non-normal

260,50

b

 > 30

60

206

 < 0.0001

Non-normal

167,22

a

Appendix 4. Normality on distribution test and Kruskal–Wallis test to examine the effects of land use (residential, agricultural, and other) on groundwater nitrate concentration. A post hoc Conover-Iman’s test with Bonferroni correction was used to determine the significance level (p = 0.0167). Significant differences (p ≤ 0.0167) indicated by different letters

Land

Observations

Frequency > MCL (%)

Kolmogorov–Smirnov’s normality test

Kruskal–Wallis’s test

Conover-Iman test

p value

Decision

p value

Average rank (mg/L)

Groups

Residential

70

41.43

0.0459

Non-normal

0.0024

163,41

b

Agricultural

246

32.93

0.0051

Non-normal

167,65

b

Other

10

10.00

0.2605

Normal

62,05

a

Appendix 5. Kruskal–Wallis test to examine the difference between nitrate concentrations unregistered at a catchment scale. A post hoc Conover-Iman test with Bonferroni correction was used to determine significant differences (p ≤ 0.005), indicated by different letters

Watershed

Sampling point

Samples

Rate > MCL (%)

Kolmogorov–Smirnov’s normality test

Kruskal–Wallis test

Conover-Iman test

p value

Decision

p value

Average rank

Groups

Coastal Cap Matifou

73

345

53.62

0.0006

Non-normal

 < 0.0001

748,17

c

El Harrach

113

335

32.54

 < 0.0001

Non-normal

526,78

b

Mazafran

79

208

13.46

 < 0.0001

Non-normal

435,75

a

Oued Chiffa

31

139

17.99

0.1774

Normal

520,98

ab

Oued Djer Bouroumi

20

158

48.10

 < 0.0001

Non-normal

664,95

c

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LAGOUN, A.M., BOUZID-LAGHA, S., BENDJABALLAH-LALAOUI, N. et al. Geographic information system–based approach and statistical modeling for assessing nitrate distribution in the Mitidja aquifer, Northern Algeria. Environ Monit Assess 193, 631 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-021-09427-x

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