In recent years, non-conventional water (NCW) has been providing a promising alternative against increasing water scarcity in the Mediterranean. However, little work is available regarding the socioeconomic effects of its use. The purpose of this study is to present the effects of different levels of availability of irrigation water on four different Mediterranean areas relevant to the valorization of NCW. The analysis is based on technical and economic data from four Mediterranean Living Labs (LLs): one in Italy, one in Spain, one in Egypt and one transboundary between Tunisia and Algeria. The methodological approach is based on different versions of mathematical programming (linear programming, parametric programming, multi-objective programming). The results of the analysis showed that future scenarios of water deficiencies will have serious implications on the cropping pattern and will severely affect certain farm types, equally affecting employment, incomes and input use.

Collapsible soils have a distinctive porous structure and are frequently made of metastable sedimentary deposits,when clay minerals are present, the grains cement together, which keeps the soil stable when it's dry. The event known as collapse occurs when water seeps through these linkages, causing the grains to lose their cohesiveness and reorganize, significant harm to civil engineering projects can result from this process, especially in arid or semi-arid areas like southern Algeria where sensitive silty clays predominate,the behavior of collapsible soils in the northeastern Algerian region of Biskra is the main subject of this study, in order to evaluate these soils' propensity to collapse, an experimental program was put into place, to determine the most vulnerable sites, a risk mapping exercise was carried out concurrently, large-scale soil collapses were identified and measured using satellite radar interferometry (InSAR), with the help of Copernicus data and the freely available SNAP program, we produced interferogram maps that showed the regions most impacted by collapses, this study adds to our understanding of the underlying mechanisms and emphasizes the usefulness of experimental methods and InSAR in the study of collapsible soils.

Tectonics plays an important role in the development of karst systems in originally porous or fissured reservoir rocks. The hydrogeological behavior of the Cretaceous limestones of the Tazbent-Cheria basin is greatly influenced by the discontinuities related to the collapse of the Tebessa basin. The objective of our research is to characterize the structure and functioning of the karst environment in the Maastrichtian limestones in abnormal contact with the Eocene carbonate formations. To properly characterize the deformation context and the fault systems that characterize this area; we combined geophysical data, stratigraphic sections and pumping tests. The results of the interpretation of geoelectric profiles (NE-SW) and their correlation with drilling logs distributed over the study area show a horizontal overturning of the formations of the Maastrichtian layers with abnormal contacts between the Cretaceous and the Eocene. They also indicate that fault networks tend to attenuate and formations to harden away from the edges of the collapse basin. By its structural scope; our study contributes to the governance of water resources in fractured aquifers of the region showing indicators of water stress.

The Guelma-Bouchegouf irrigated perimeter uses water from the Bouhamdane dam between May and the end of October.It should be noted that the water is channelled to the perimeter via Seybouse Wadi, which serves as a water collector.The water is supplied during the dry season, which causes water pollution due to strong evaporation and industrial discharges.Moreover, during the summer period irrigation increases since the crops grown are industrial tomatoes, melon, watermelon and beans, requiring intense and sustained watering.The measurement of the conductivity of the water flow shows a clear increase from 3000 μs/cm to 6000 μs/cm.This increase is connected to interactions between water and rock, compounded by the adverse impact of climate change.It should be noted that during this period the average temperature is 26°C and sometimes temperature values exceeding 40°C are recorded.In addition, industrial discharges into the Seybouse Wadi occur without pre-treatment, leading to water pollution by heavy metals.The results of the analyzes of the Seybouse Wadi waters show the presence of pollutants such as iron, manganese, zinc, copper and nutrients in the upstream zone (Guelma region).In the downstream area (Annaba) we notice the presence of pollutants such as chromium, lithium, iron, manganese and nutrients.

The karst springs of Tezbent Plateau were studied to gain insight into the hydrogeological and hydrodynamic behaviour of this karstic system. Four springs and six domestic wells were analysed for hydrogeochemical constituents, δ18O, and δ2H from September 2021 to June 2022. The Tezbent mountain range, located in northeastern Algeria, drains carbonate aquifers through several significant karst springs. The physical and chemical characteristics of water samples were analysed in order to assess the groundwater origins and identify the factors influencing its geochemical composition. Ionic speciation and mineral dissolution/precipitation were calculated. It was found that geology, specifically the presence of carbonate formations, elevation, and the rate of karst development, are the primary factors influencing groundwater composition and seasonal variations. The carbonate chemistry serves as a diagnostic indicator of karst development effects. The interaction between groundwater and surrounding host rocks is believed to be the primary process influencing the observed chemical characteristics of groundwater in the study area. The δ18O and δ2H values of groundwater samples indicate the meteoric origin of the groundwater recharge and suggest a minimal evaporation impact on the isotopic composition.

In the Drean-Annaba alluvial aquifer, the water quality often fluctuates. Water-rock interactions cannot be the main cause of the observed changes, but the country’s dryness during the last two decades has played a significant role in water quality changes. During this time, abnormalities in the timing and distribution of rainfall events were detected. As a result, hydrochemical changes in groundwater and surface water, such as wadis, have a predictable pattern. To demonstrate these chemical effects statistically, principal component analysis (PCA) tools and a nickel diagram were used. The findings corroborate seasonal fluctuations in water quality between 1999 and 2000. The competition between alkaline and alkaline earths can be seen from a cationic standpoint. On the other hand, there is a shift from chlorides to sulfates and possibly to bicarbonates from an anionic standpoint. The isotopic technique revealed neo-salinity whose source was unknown. The current study was conducted in a small area, which was beneficial for demonstrating the relationship between dryness and water quality in both the aquifer system and surface water. This study investigated the complex dynamics of water salinity within the Seybouse Basin, offering insights into its distribution, origins, and implications for groundwater management. Through a multidisciplinary approach encompassing hydrochemical analyses, mineralization mapping, and isotopic investigations, we elucidate significant patterns governing groundwater quality in the region. Our findings reveal the intricate interplay of factors such as marine intrusion, evaporation, and geological formations in shaping salinity levels across various water sources. The spatial variations highlighted through mineralization mapping and Br/Cl ratio analysis underscore the nuanced nature of marine intrusion along the coast, which is influenced by hydrodynamic factors and geological features. The identification of distinct salinity families based on conductivity and isotopic signatures underscores the diverse mechanisms contributing to water salinity, from evaporation-induced conductivity changes to the effects of recent heating. This research underscores the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in understanding groundwater systems and informs critical considerations for water resource management and sustainability efforts in the Seybouse basin and similar regions. By leveraging the insights gleaned from our study, stakeholders can develop targeted strategies to mitigate salinity-related risks and ensure the sustainable utilization of water resources.

Sinkhole collapse is one of the major hazards for people and property in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, especially if the bedrock structure is karstic, covered by unconsolidated material. Our study identifies localized deformation that may be caused by a sinkhole activity based on the electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) technique in Setifian high plains. For this task; we applied 2-D Wenner and Wenner-Schlumberger transects. The geological and hydrogeological investigations helped calibrate the resistivity model and in this regard, expound on the proneness of the limestone layer to collapse. The obtained model highlights the heterogeneity of the subsurface. The inverted transects allowed the investigation of 20 m depth with Wenner array and 52 m with Wenner-Schlumberger. The Wenner inverted models imaged the chimney and different karst networks until 20 m depth; even as the Wenner-Schlumberger models imaged a new karstic cavity in the limestone layer. Electrical tomography imaging has once again proven its effectiveness in mapping sinkholes based on its ability to detect resistivity. Our research can certainly benefit karst collapse management in other areas of the Setifian high plain.

Shallow landslides in Souk Ahras region, NE Algeria, occur usually after prolonged rainfall events. Three localities which are Zaarouria, Hammam Tassa, and Mechroha were chosen to study these landslides and the conditions of their occurrences. They have been observed to affect mainly agricultural lands, main supplies, and the road network. This paper aims to find the relationship between the rainfall, the soil engineering properties, the geology, and the geomorphology. A number of field trips were organized to the study areas where landslide masses were described and mapped as well as some field measurement such as natural moisture content and sampling. In the laboratory, we establish gain size distribution, Atterberg limits, density, and effective cohesion and internal friction. Then we established the unsaturated soil property functions such as the soil water characteristic curve (SWCC) and the hydraulic function. The stability computation was undertaken using, GeoStudio software 2020, a coupled analysis where the Seep/W simulates the seepage and the Slope/W for the safety factor. The results show that the sector study containing: silty sand (SM), well graded sand with silt and gravel (SW-SM), and clayey sand with Gravel (SC) while hydraulic conductivity varies between 4.5. 10−6 for 4.10−5 and 10−3 m/s. The factor of safety varies between 0.8, 1.16, and 0.8. In conclusion, our study confirms the field observations as shallow landslides have been numerous in mars 2019 when rainfall reaches 110 mm. Moreover, high permeability soils, in Mechrouha, show a more dramatic decrease in the factor of safety as the 100 = -mm rainfall amount is reached while it decreases gradually for the other two less permeable soils of Zaarouria and Hammam Tassa.

The largest confined aquifers hydraulically continuous from the Algeria Atlas Mountains as a recharge area to the Tunisian Chotts were discharge area. Is being largely used in the valley of Oued Souf, southeastern of Algeria and part of the northeastern Sahara, composed with sedimentary series ranging from the lower Cretaceous to the Quaternary. These formations have favored several aquifer layers with variable hydrodynamic behavior depending on their facies. The high expansion of the agricultural field needs irrigation from groundwater aquifers in this area. The overexploitation of the shallow aquifer causes severe deterioration of groundwater quality and soil suffusion at arid areas. The high salinity (electrical conductivity exceeds 3600 mS.cm-¹) coupled with groundwater level decline pose serious problems for current irrigation and domestic water supplies. Although, the multi-layers of complex terminal (CT) and continental intercalary (CI) aquifers is used to approve the water supplies. In aim to corroborate the hydrochemical process, and to investigate the water potentialities and mineralization of CT and CI groundwater aquifers, chemical tools namely major elements and trace elements are studied. The isotopic (δ 18O, δ 2H) hydrogeochemical study helps to identify and classify this deep underground water aquifers relationship. The samples isotopic signal shown a current recharge of the CT, according to the regional rainfall signal.

This study presents a practical geospatial approach, based on geomatic principles, to create landslide susceptibility maps that meet contemporary landscape and land management priorities.By employing a GIS-based statistical modeling, our methodology seamlessly integrates a wide range of factors including topography, lithology, land use, and precipitation.This comprehensive approach allows for a holistic evaluation of landslide susceptibility.We use two widely recognized multi-criteria techniques, namely the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and the Fuzzy Logic Ratio (FR), which in result produce two distinct yet complementary landslide susceptibility maps (LSMs).The creation of these LSMs relies on a carefully curated dataset of landslides, collected through rigorous analysis of high-resolution satellite imagery, interpretation of aerial photographs, and extensive fieldwork.Eleven key factors are selected to inform the modeling process.To assess the accuracy of the LSMs, we employ ROC curves, with the FR method demonstrating superior predictive performance, achieving an impressive accuracy rate of 75% compared to the AHP model's 65%.These findings highlight the effectiveness of our approach in identifying high landslide susceptibility areas, providing valuable insights for informed land use planning, hazard mitigation strategies, and rapid emergency response measures.The GIS-based statistical modeling technique showcased in this research provides a robust framework for generating precise landslide susceptibility maps in complex mountainous landscapes.This research makes a significant contribution to the evolving field of geomatics, enhancing landscape resilience and promoting sustainable land management practices.

The objective of this work is to study the chemistry of groundwater in the messaad plateau which is located 300km south of the capital of Algiers. The results obtained showed that the waters are very strongly mineralized overall, with a predominance of calcium sulphate facies and calcium chloride facies. a high degree of mineralization in the South and South-East part of the study area near Oued Messaad. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) has shown that the increase in mineralization is mainly due to the dissolution of evaporative mineral-rich salt-bearing formations. The hydro-chemical model based on Artificial Neuron Networks (ANN) of the multilayer perceptron (MLP) type has shown that the SO4 2-,Cl- ,Ca2+,Na+ ions are the most important factors influencing the electrical conductivity of water. These ions are the result of the dissolution of gypsum and halite continuously in the clays and marls of the Barremian formations.

In Algeria, the lack of high-quality aggregates in many regions represents the major challenge for the development of road infrastructures. The calcretes found in abundance are often the only alternative. Their use, adopted since the 1950s, is well mastered to date. However, their high sensitivity to water and their poor mechanical characteristics are increasingly limit their use in the face of traffic that has become heavy and dense. In this paper, the work carried out emphasizes the specific nature of these materials by evoking different aspects of their behaviour in base layers, which differs from traditional gravel layers. Thus, we discuss the problems related to the compaction operations, the origin of hardening and the often-negative influence of water on the mechanical characteristics of these materials. The study also made it possible to demonstrate the aptitude of the Setif calcretes for extrusion. This mechanical behaviour, hitherto unknown for this type of material, will deeply modify their structure and seriously affect their resistance to the effects of water and therefore reduce their mechanical performance. This phenomenon is probably responsible for the rapid emergence of severe damage due to significant permanent deformations on certain sections subjected to heavy and dense traffic during the winter period.

Landslides – natural disasters be caused by various factors - are frequent in the region surrounding Souk Ahras. Comprehensive fieldwork, such as geotechnical drilling investigations and soil excavations, is conducted to monitor ground movements and assess the feasibility of geological locations. Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and other active satellite remote sensors are utilized in Earth Observation-based systems to identify and track ground deformation and landslides in the study area. This research aims to illustrate how open-source processing software, SNAP, provided by the European Space Agency, can be combined with freely available datasets from Copernicus to accomplish this goal. In the North Eastern part of Algeria, which includes Souk Ahras, there is a high risk of landslides Through the use of InSAR technology, the research provided satisfactory results in identifying the morphology of landslides and generating a large-scale interferometric map covering several regions in the East of Algeria, revealing the extent of distortion and spacing caused by the landslide phenomenon.

Groundwater of the El-Kantara plain needs greater attention, because it is the alternative source of water for domestic and agricultural purposes. Water pollution affects both water quality and human health. Hence it is essential for continuous monitoring of the quality of groundwater so that pollution can be minimized. This study aims to evaluate the degree and extent of contamination of the Mio-Plio-Quaternary alluvial aquifer, in the El-Kantara area, Northern Biskra region (Algeria). A pollution index of groundwater (PIG) is proposed for quantification of water contamination at eleven (11) sampling different wells during four times at each well (dry period: September 2011/2014 and wet period February 2012/2015). PIG quantifies the status of concentrations of water quality measures with respect to their drinking water quality standards. The computed values of Pollution Index Groundwater (PIG) of El-Kantara aquifer in El-Hai River Basin vary from 0.746 (Insignificant pollution during wet period; February 2015) to 6.287(Very high pollution during dry period; September 2014). Spatial variation map has been prepared using GIS reveled that most of the study area accounts for very high pollution zones (61.36% of samples).

Sinkhole (doline) collapse is one of the major natural hazards threatening people and property in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, especially if the bedrock structure is epi-karstic, covered by encrusted material. Many dolines-avens collapses have been recorded in urban and rural areas in Northeast Algeria. Our study identifies localized deformation that may be caused by a sinkhole activity based on the electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) imaging in Setifian high plains. For this task, we conducted 2-D Wenner and Wenner-Schlumberger transects profiles. The geological and hydrogeological study helped to calibrate the resistivity model, and in this regard, expound on the proneness of the limestone layer to collapse. The obtained model highlights the heterogeneity of the subsurface. The inverted transects allowed the investigation of 20 m depth with Wenner array and 52 m with Wenner-Schlumberger. The Wenner inverted models imaged the chimney and different karst networks until 20 m depth; even as the Wenner-Schlumberger models imaged a new karstic cavity in the limestone layer. ERT imaging has once again proven its effectiveness in mapping sinkholes based on its ability to detect resistivity. Our research can certainly benefit karst collapse monitoring in other areas of the high plain region.

The study area is characterized by low rainfall and a significant outcrop of salt formations, which significantly compromises the use of water for consumption and other purposes (agriculture and industry). Groundwater contamination affects both water quality and human health. Hence it is essential for continuous monitoring of the quality of groundwater so that contamination can be minimized. Application of pollution index of groundwater (PIG) to the problem of estimating groundwater contamination with respect to their drinking water quality standards has been done by the investigation of 58 water sample. The computed values of Pollution Index of Groundwater (PIG) for the study area vary from 0,457 to 8.190. Spatial variation map has been prepared using GIS. The variation map shows that most of the study area accounts for high and very high pollution zones, which is mainly due to geogenic, anthropogenic factors and also it is compounded due to mining activities. Geochemical ratios (Na + : Cl - , HCO 3 - : Cl -, Na + : Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ : Ca 2+ ) also form the quantitative basis of the index. This manuscript synthesizes a set of data that allowed us to make a classification of the contamination zones, using PIG tool, of the study area.

The study area (Messaad plateau) is one of the arid areas with annual precipitation of the order of 150 mm. This area includes the Barremian aquifer, which plays a very important role in the supply of drinking water and irrigation water in the study area. The objective of this work is to study the origin of groundwater chemistry in the Barremian aquifer. The results obtained from the study of the physico-chemical parameters showed that the waters are very strongly mineralized overall, with a predominance of calcium sulphate facies and calcium chloride facies. Examination of the maps of the spatial variation of the various physico-chemical parameters reveals a high degree of mineralization in the South and South-East part of the study area near Oued Messaad. Statistical treatment by the application of the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) has shown that the increase in mineralization is mainly due to the dissolution of evaporative mineral-rich salt-bearing formations, and the predominant redox mechanism over that of acid hydrolysis in the acquisition of ions in groundwater. The hydrochemical model based on Artificial Neuron Networks (ANN) of the multilayer perceptron (MLP) type has shown that the SO42-,Cl-,Ca2+ ,Na+ ions are the most important factors influencing the electrical conductivity of water. Analysis of the ionic ratios shows that these ions are the result of the dissolution of gypsum and halite continuously in the clays and marls of the Barremian formations.

The problems related to slope stability in open pits have become increasingly complicated, where the stability of the terraces and embankments have a greater influence on the productivity and longevity of the mine, this instability can cause enormous damage to personnel and equipment. In this work, the stability analysis begins with a fieldwork where we could see the mine plan, the geometry of the steps, their heights, the different geological formations ... etc. In this way we have studied the stability of the steps of the kef essnoun open pit by the applying the rock mass classification systems and the calculation of the safety factor by the limit equilibrium method. The results obtained from the empirical analyze RMR, SMR and the limit equilibrium method is in general the same, where the marl layer is the probable cause of a massive instability.

A combined approach using the surface geophysical method (microgravimetric survey) and sub-surface investigations (speleology) was undertaken at an experimental karst site located in the MChentel area near Cheria town (Northeast of Algeria). The gravimetric survey, carried out by a gravimeter GNU-KC 444 during March-April 2016, allowed the procurement of 614 gravimetric measurements distributed on the whole of the zone of study. The gravimetric data shows a reduction in the values of the Bouguer anomaly between two collapses. This trend probably implies an effect of karstification that would explain the reduction in the values of the Bouguer anomaly while moving towards the centre of the zone of study. The results provided in this work of underground exploration by the team of speleologists from Polytechnic Nice-Sophia in 2013 and 2014 are particularly well illustrated by the topography of the cavities upstream and the real photographs, the micromorphology and the microstructures of the walls of the cavities explored. The joint application of the microgravimetry and speleology make it possible to evaluate the advantages and effectiveness of the microgravimetry for the detection of underground cavities. This improves knowledge of the karstic system structure of Eocene carbonates in the studied area.