Assessing the impact of artificial recharge on groundwater in an over-exploited aquifer: A case study in the Cheria Basin, North-East of Algeria
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Abstract: The Cheria region in Northeastern Algeria has been facing aquifer overexploitation by the agricultural sector and prolonged droughts, resulting in a considerable decline in groundwater levels. This study investigates the feasibility of implementing artificial recharge techniques to replenish the Eocene aquifer which serves as the primary water source in the Cheria region. A 3D transient numerical model, based on the finite difference method, was used to simulate groundwater flow from 2021 to 2031 using Visual MODFLOW Flex. During the modelling process, three scenarios were considered: (1) including pumping without a recharge, (2) recharge of the entire area through efficient infiltration without pumping, and (3) artificial recharge using river water infiltration basins at two sites, Draa Douamis sinkholes and Eocene limestone outcrops. The simulation results showed that aquifer exploitation without recharge caused significant drawdowns, which were 3 m to 7 m in the north-eastern part and 8 m to 12 m in the central and southern parts. In contrast, the second scenario, involving recharge without pumping, showed a rise in groundwater levels of 2 m to 2.7 m in the north-eastern part and 3 m to 3.62 m in the central and southern parts. The third scenario, employing artificial recharge, indicated a positive response to artificial recharge, with increased piezometric levels at the proposed sites, signifying a beneficial impact on the aquifer. These findings underline the potential of artificial recharge as a promising approach to address the groundwater depletion and environmental issues in the Cheria Basin.
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Key words:
- Eocene limestone /
- Piezometric level /
- Numerical simulation /
- Visual MODFLOW Flex /
- Artificial recharge
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Table 2. Transmissivity values of 09 boreholes
Well X /m Y /m Z /m T / m2/s F9 bis 964075 235215 1133 2.58 ×10−3 CH4 957831 231000 1099 2.7 ×10−1 CH1 bis 957160 231177 1093 0.19 ×10−2 CH5 960529 233045 1103 8.05 ×10 −1 CH6 960964 233818 1112 1.91 ×10−2 Abla1 958657 228065 1089 2.83 ×10−3 HA1 959413 228508 1138 1.513 ×10−3 CH3 958904 231230 1090 12.81×10−1 T9 952160 214571 1011 0.16 ×10−1 Table 1. Hydraulic parameters layer
Layer (kx)
Hydraulic conductivity/m/s(kz)
Hydraulic conductivity/m/s(Ss)
Specific storage/m−1(Sy)Specific
yieldEffective porosity/% Total porosity/% 1 1.28× 10−5 1.28 × 10−6 6.9 × 10−5 0.14 10 20 Table 3. Parameters of the artificial recharge of the Cheria aquifer for one year
Site 1 Site 2 River Douamis El Blilia El Goussa Cheria Flow / m3/s 4.68 7.39 16.05 16 28.12 Annual inflows / Mm3/an 2.02 1.15 Recharge to the water table 80% 1.62 0.92 Height of rechage /m Area of 0.5 km2 3.24 1.84 -
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