Evaluation of the Groundwater Quality in Amizour Plain (North Algeria) Through the Application of Heavy Metal Pollution Index

Abstract

Abstract The concentrations of Three metallic elements, cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn), have been evaluated in thirteen groundwater sampling points (from open wells) located near industrial, domestic and agricultural dumps of the Amizour plain (North Algeria). The contamination factor (Fc), the contamination degree (Dc), and heavy metal pollution index (HPI) were the models evaluated in aim to estimate the groundwater quality and the potential sources of trace metallic-elements infection. The concentrations of both Cd and Pb have been found to be below the permissible referred limits of drinking water quality standards, while Zn concentration exceeded the standards in most of the sampling points (eleven wells have Zn level > 15 ppb). The HPI of groundwater has been found to be far below the permissible limit of 100 (HPI = 40.6). Our obtained results give the assumption that the contamination of the studied groundwater is with limited extent, despite the prolific use of fertilizers and the intensive spill of industrial and domestic wastes in the ecosystem. Therefore, the low HPI values, noticed in the study zone, are likely attributed to the impermeability of geological formation preventing thus contaminants reaching the aquifer.