Multivariate statistical analysis of the groundwater of Ain Djacer area (Eastern of Algeria)

The intensive exploitation of groundwater resources in the region of Ain Djacer has greatly influenced the hydrochemical functioning of the superficial aquifer. This has resulted in a general decline of the piezometric level of the groundwater, a mineralization of water and calcium facies near limestone and sodium chloride in the center of the plain in liaison with the lithology. To highlight the hydrochemical processes of groundwater, a study by major ions were analyzed in 21 groundwater samples collected from this aquifer during the month of March 2004. Multivariate statistical techniques and cluster and principal component analysis were applied to the data on groundwater quality, with the objective of defining the main controls on the hydrochemistry at the plain. These statistical techniques have shown the presence of three salinity groups with increasing importance according to the direction of flow. The initial facies on the limits as well as infiltration areas is bicarbonate. In the center of the plain, water becomes charged with sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl) in connection with the dissolution of salt formations. The presence of nitrates is related to agricultural activity.