Reviewing the potential anthropogenic sources of groundwater contamination – Case study of the expanding urban area of Taleza in Algeria

ABSTRACT: Located in north-east Algerian, the coastal aquifer of Taleza constitutes a significant source of groundwater. It contains hundreds of private wells installed by the population for several purposes including drinking water. Recently, the groundwater has become quite salinized. Furthermore, some people have noted the presence of a bad odor, as rotten eggs, in the groundwater pumped from their wells. The groundwater quality is mostly controlled by two factors: 1) natural processes related to aquifer lithology, and soil/rock interactions with groundwater, and 2) anthropogenic activities. However, the later activities can be considered as the most serious sources of groundwater contamination. This paper describes a review of potential anthropogenic sources of groundwater contamination over the Taleza territory. Several different potential anthropogenic sources were identified, such as cultivated fields, private sanitation systems, random urbanisation, over-exploitation of groundwater, solid waste dumpsites, and cemeteries. Consequently, efficient and durable groundwater protection planning is urgently required, to limit and possibly remediate groundwater contamination related to anthropogenic activities.