Hydrogeochemistry and Therapeutic Effects of Thermal waters of Khenchela (North-East Algeria)

Abstract

North Algeria has a relatively large number of thermal springs, there are more than 200 hot springs with a total flow rate of 3200 l/s, characterized by different temperatures and mineral compositions.This study was aimed at investigating the hydrogeochemical characteristics and therapeutic potential of hydrothermal springs of the three study sites located in the North-eastern Algeria, in order to evaluate the source of the thermal water and understand the geochemical evolution, to identify the recharge source, rock-water interactions, and to propose a reservoir temperature. The water samples were collected in April 2021, the physio-chemical parameters were assessed in-situ, Chemical analysis was carried out at the LACIP laboratory -Ain-Mlila, Algeria. The Piper, and ternary (Giggenbach) diagrams were used for the classification of major ions. The thermal waters are characterized by outlet temperature values of 38 to 72 °C, the pH value is slightly acid, with high electrical conductivity about (4000μS/Cm) and the Na-Cl water type. The reservoir temperature was estimated to be 40-160 °C based on different geothermometers. Thermal spring waters, with temperatures above the local mean-annual air temperature, have undergone geothermal heating during deep subsurface circulation in areas of high topographic relief. The clinical assessments clearly confirmed the Hydrogeochemistry… Mohamed Rida MOHAMEDI et al.