Application of chemical geothermometers to thermal springs of the Maghreb, North Africa

Mimi, A. Lahlou; Dhia, Hamed Ben; Bouri, Salem; Lahrach, Abderrahim; Abidate, Lahcen Ben; Bouchareb-Haouchim, Fatima-Zohra

doi:10.1016/s0375-6505(97)10011-6

Cited by 25 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…Les études hydrothermales qui ont été menées à l'échelle nationale (ATHAMENA, 2007;BOUCHAREB-HAOUCHINE, 1993;BOUCHAREB-HAOUCHINE et al, 1994;BOUCHAREB-HAOUCHINE et BOUDOUKHA, 2009;DIB-ADJOUL, 1985;DJIDI et al, 2008;FAKRAOUI, 2007;ISSAADI, 1992ISSAADI, , 1996 et à l'échelle maghrébine (LAHLOU MIMI et al, 1998) …”

Section: Introductionunclassified

Caractérisation des eaux thermales de l'ensemble Sud sétifien. Est algérien

Boudoukha

Athamena

2012

rseau

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Le Sud sétifien, situé au nord-est algérien, est le siège de plusieurs aquifères renfermant parfois de l’eau chaude dont la température varie entre 25 °C et 43 °C. Afin d’évaluer le potentiel en eau thermale de cet ensemble, nous avons utilisé une approche pluridisciplinaire axée sur la géologie, la géophysique, l’hydrodynamique et l’hydrochimie. Il ressort de cette approche que cet ensemble est caractérisé par la présence d’une série de horsts et de grabens. Les horsts sont formés par des calcaires et des dolomies, datés du Lias au Miocène, et les grabens ont permis l’instauration d’un système endoréique fermé occupé par des lacs salés. Ces massifs carbonatés affleurent au milieu d’une vaste plaine comblée par des formations alluvionnaires du Mio-Plio-Quaternaire. L’aperçu hydrogéologique montre que les formations du Crétacé peuvent offrir des possibilités aquifères non négligeables. L’outil hydrochimique montre que les eaux chaudes se caractérisent par la présence de trois faciès chimiques différents, le premier de type Cl-Na à l’Est, le second de type SO4-Ca au centre et le troisième de type SO4-Na à Ca à l’Ouest. Cette analyse a aussi permis d’attribuer au sodium, aux chlorures et aux sulfates une origine terrigène évaporitique, par le rapport molaire Sr2+/Ca2+. La salinité qui caractérise ces eaux thermales est principalement due à la circulation des eaux à grande profondeur dans les formations cristallophylliennes et les formations carbonatées qui sont en contact avec des formations terrigènes salifères. Le géothermomètre à silice montre que ces eaux thermales ont une température de 80 °C et que l’eau proviendrait d’une profondeur allant de 1 400 à 2 200 m à travers un système de failles qui affecte le socle. Il est montré que la baisse de la température de 40 °C est due en partie au mélange avec les eaux superficielles.The south setifian mountains, situated in the north-east of Algeria, are the seat of aquifers with thermal waters where the temperature varies between 25°C in the east and 43°C at the centre. In order to evaluate the thermal water potential of this whole region, we have employed a multidisciplinary approach involving geology, geophysics, hydrogeology and hydrogeochemistry. The results from this approach indicate that the whole region is characterized by the presence of a series of horsts formed by thick carbonated and karstified layers dating from the Lias to the Miocene, and grabens have allowed for the establishment of a closed endorheic system occupied by chotts and sebkhas, filled with salt water. These massive carbonate outcroppings occur in the middle of the plain filled by Mio-Plio-Quaternary alluvial materials. This hydrogeological analysis indicates that these formations from the cretaceous era can offer considerable aquifer possibilities. The hydrochemical analysis showed that the waters of the region show three different chemical facies: the first, Cl-Na in the east; the second, SO4-Ca in the centre; and the third, SO4-Na to Ca, in the west. This hydrochemical analysis also allowe...

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Section: Introductionunclassified

Caractérisation des eaux thermales de l'ensemble Sud sétifien. Est algérien

Boudoukha

Athamena

2012

rseau

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“…These earlier studies mainly dealt with site descriptions, general geological, and hydrogeological properties of the area and were primarily focused on geothermal properties. The origin of thermal waters is complex because several parameters effect their composition and final properties: for example, the presence of volcanic activity, movement of water over hot areas, the release of rock minerals, the presence of carbon dioxide, the contact time of water with rocks, as well as F. Bahri Laboratory of Microbiology and Vegetal Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Abd El Hamid University, Mostaganem, Algeria e-mail: bahri_nedro@yahoo.fr the mineral nature of the underlying rocks (Lahlou et al 1998;Félix 1975;Hem 1985;Rimi 1990;Chicano and Bosch 1996;Rimi et al 1998). Thus, thermal waters can be characterized by their physicochemical composition and type (Pomerol and Ricou 1992).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterization, classification, and determination of drinkability of some Algerian thermal waters

2010

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In this study, the physicochemical parameters (Conductivity, pH, Cl − , HCO 3 − , PO 4 3− , SO 4 2− , NO 3 − , NO 2 − , F − , TH, Ca 2+ , K + , Mg 2+ , Na + , and DS) were determined for 41 samples collected from fourteen places in Algeria. The temperature of the thermal water samples at collection sites varied from 26°C to 86°C. pH values varied from 6.5 to 8.5 (i.e., from slightly acidic to moderately alkaline); 90.24% of the samples exhibited relatively high salinity (DS=550-5,500 mg L −1 ). Total hardness measurements indicated these waters to be moderately hard. Fortysix percent of the samples are Na-Cl in character. The ratios Na + /Ca 2+ , Na + /Mg 2+ , and (Na + + K + )/(Ca 2+ + Mg 2+ ) were high in 90.24% of the samples. This indicates the ion exchange process is important, which indicates that most of the Algerian thermal waters had developed over a long period at a depth sufficient to react with the rock. Statistical analyses of the physicochemical data gave positive correlation values, thereby enabling good interpretation of the results and revealing the composition of ions present in the thermal waters, as well as some information about their origin. The therapeutic properties associated with thermal waters encourage people at spas to drink the water they bathe in. Therefore, we examined the drinkability of these thermal waters. World Health Organization (WHO 1993) standards were used to evaluate the thermal water quality for drinking. With respect to hardness, the samples were classified as moderately hard (58.54% of the samples), very hard (36.58% of the samples), and soft (4.88% of the samples). The drinkability study shows that only 16 samples of the investigated waters were drinkable and thus could be consumed without special precaution.

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“…Previous hydrochemical studies in the central Couloir have included a regional survey by Kabbaj et al (1979), who sampled a subset of springs (three warm, six cold) and wells (six Liassic, 11 PQ); national‐scale surveys of warm springs by Lahlou Mimi et al (1998) and Cidu and Bahaj (2000); and a study of the PQ aquifer by Sendide (2002), who sampled 31 wells. These have documented that well water and some springs (both cold and warm) are generally dilute (total dissolved solids ∼300 to 700 mg/L) and Ca‐HCO 3 or Mg‐Ca‐HCO 3 dominated, while other (warm) springs are more mineralized and Na‐Cl dominated.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Cidu and Bahaj (2000) also observed that Na, Ca, Cl – , and tended to increase with salinity, while (as alkalinity) remained relatively constant. In situ temperatures calculated using various geothermometers for warm springs were inconsistent but approached 100 °C for Moulay Yacoub spring (Lahlou Mimi et al 1998; Cidu and Bahaj 2000).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Hydraulic heads in both aquifers and spring discharges have declined during the past two decades. Previous studies have addressed ground water flow, possible controls on water quality, and likely sources of recharge and discharge (Kabbaj et al 1979; Lahlou Mimi et al 1998; Cidu and Bahaj 2000; Sendide 2002; Amraoui et al 2005, 2006) but not the hydrochemistry of the aquifer system as a whole. We hypothesize that the major ion chemistry of ground water and mechanisms of recharge in the central Couloir reflect processes observed in similar regional aquifer systems.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Controls on Ground Water Chemistry in the Central Couloir Sud Rifain, Morocco

Benaabidate

Fryar²

2010

Groundwater

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Irrigation, urbanization, and drought pose challenges for the sustainable use of ground water in the central Couloir sud rifain, a major agricultural region in north-central Morocco, which includes the cities of Fès and Meknès. The central Couloir is underlain by unconfined and confined carbonate aquifers that have suffered declines in hydraulic head and reductions in spring flow in recent decades. Previous studies have surveyed ground water flow and water quality in wells and springs but have not comprehensively addressed the chemistry of the regional aquifer system. Using graphical techniques and saturation index calculations, we infer that major ion chemistry is controlled (1) in the surficial aquifer by cation exchange, calcite dissolution, mixing with deep ground water, and possibly calcite precipitation and (2) in the confined aquifer and warm springs by calcite dissolution, dolomite dissolution, mixing with water that has dissolved gypsum and halite, and calcite precipitation. Analyses of (2)H and (18)O indicate that shallow ground water is affected by evaporation during recharge (either of infiltrating precipitation or return flow), whereas deep ground water is sustained by meteoric recharge with little evaporation. Mechanisms of recharge and hydrochemical evolution are broadly consistent with those delineated for similar regional aquifer systems elsewhere in Morocco and in southern Spain.

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Application of chemical geothermometers to thermal springs of the Maghreb, North Africa

Cited by 25 publications

References 9 publications

Caractérisation des eaux thermales de l'ensemble Sud sétifien. Est algérien

Caractérisation des eaux thermales de l'ensemble Sud sétifien. Est algérien

Characterization, classification, and determination of drinkability of some Algerian thermal waters

Controls on Ground Water Chemistry in the Central Couloir Sud Rifain, Morocco

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