Abstract

Hydrochemistry of groundwater in Ain Azel plain, Algeria was used to assess the quality of groundwater for determining its suitability for drinking and agricultural purposes. Interpretation of analytical data shows that Ca-Mg-HCO3 and Ca-Mg-Cl-SO4 are the dominant hydrochemical facies in the study area. Factor analysis generated three significant factors. Factor 1 includes EC, Ca++, Mg++, Na+ and Cl-, factor 2 has high loading values of K+ and HCO3- and the factor 3 includes SO4-- and NO3-. The US salinity diagram illustrates that most of the samples fall in C3S1 quality with high salinity hazard and low sodium hazard. The groundwater of Ain Azel plain is low concentration of nitrogenous elements (NO3- and NO2-) and the higher concentration of trace elements (Pb++ and Fe++) may entail various health hazards.

Key words: Groundwater, drinking and irrigation water quality, factor analysis, US salinity laboratory diagram, Ain Azel, Algeria.