Algerian Journal of Chemical Engineering AJCE

Groundwater hydrochemistry and nitrate pollution assessment in the Bousaada region of Algeria

Tahar Selmane , Mostefa Dougha, Mahmoud Hasbaia, Lakhdar Seraiche — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0100

In the arid Bousaada region south of Chott Hodna in Algeria, the mixed aquifer serves as the primary water source. Overexploitation of aquifers due to population growth, expanding irrigated agriculture, and recent climate change in North Africa has led to chemical imbalances and pollution. This study aims to classify groundwater, identify pollution-prone areas, assess nitrate pollution, and determine its causes. In 2021, 60 samples and 13 physico-chemical parameters were analyzed. The dominant hydrochemical facies of the samples were chloride and sulfated calcium and magnesium. The Gibbs diagram suggests the water is young and influenced by evaporation. Groundwater pollution index (PIG) results reveal 16.6% not polluted, 33.33% low pollution, 40% moderate pollution, and 10% high pollution. Spatially, the agricultural zone of Maadher exhibits higher pollution levels (78.3% exceeding WHO nitrate standards). Nitrate pollution index (NPI) indicates 8.33% clean, 5% lightly polluted, and 16.67% moderately polluted samples; 70% are heavily polluted. Interpolated NPI results highlight Maadher's agricultural perimeter as heavily polluted, while high-altitude and non-agricultural areas remain unpolluted. Excessive agricultural practices, such as animal manure use, traces of sewage, solid waste in the Bousaada wadi, and septic tank use by farmers, contribute to increased nitrate levels.

Parametric and equilibrium studies of Methylene blue removal by adsorbents: Crude and modified Sorghum stems-based

N. SIFOUN, A-R. YEDDOU, L-H NOURI, I. KHALFI — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0100

In the current study, we investigated the removal of Methylene Blue ‘MB’, a cationic dye, using adsorbents in their raw state 'R-S,' those chemically activated with KOH 'KOH-S,' and those produced via hydrothermal carbonization 'HC-S' (hydrochar). Sorghum fibers were employed as a lignocellulosic precursor to fabricate these adsorbents. Batch adsorption tests were carried out under different conditions, including: adsorbent dosage, solution pH, contact time and initial MB concentration. Furthermore, we studied adsorption kinetics and isotherms. The results obtained demonstrate that MB removal rates consistently exceeded 90 %. Furthermore, the pseudo-second order kinetic model exhibited excellent accord with the experimental data of the developed adsorbents. Regarding the selection of the MB adsorption isotherm model, our results indicate that the Langmuir model is the most suitable for describing adsorbents R-S and KOH-S. Conversely, the both models (Langmuir and Freundlich) are appropiate for the MB adsorption process by HC-S. According to the Langmuir model, the adsorption capacities were determined to be 25.265, 31.545, and 47.619 mg/g for R-S, KOH-S, and HC-S, respectively.

Removal of textile dye in aqueous titleenvironments by adsorption on ion exchange resin

Kahina IGGUI, Lamia MOULAHCENE, Khadidja YAHIAOUI — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0100

In the present work, the efficacy of the A502PS ion exchange resin in the removal of textile dye namely eversol black (GR) was investigated. The absorption was studied in a batch system at ambient temperature .The effects of solution mass of adsorbent (100-400 mg/L), pH, (2-12), ionic strength and stirring speed were monitored. The kinetic of adsorption was also considered. Results showed that the adsorption was very rapid with increasing concentration, and equilibrium was attained within 500 minutes for 100 mg of adsorbent and at 350 minutes in the case of 400 mg of adsorbent. The adsorption capacity increases with the increase of the adsorbent amount and the maximum adsorption capacity for 400 mg and 100 mg was 98.2% and 74.65%, respectively. The results showed that the absorption kinetics and equilibrium time depend on the mass of adsorbent, the stirring speed and the ionic strength of the salts. The study of the effect of pH revealed that the adsorption of dye is more important for low pH values where the removal increases from 87.2 to 96.05% for pH = 12 and pH = 2 respectively. Finally, the kinetic study revealed that the Pseudo-first order chemical reaction provided the best correlation of the experimental data and the GR adsorption equilibrium fits the Langmuir model well.

Advanced Reflectometry Technique for the TILESDIT Dam Piezometer Cables Auscultation

Oussama Ounissi, Hakim Djafer Khodja — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Dam integrity is vital for the safety of communities, the sustainability of water resources, and the overall well-being of the environment and economy. Regular inspections, maintenance, and advanced monitoring technologies are essential components of dam safety programs to ensure their continued reliability and performance. Piezometers are crucial instruments used to measure and monitor water pressures within and around a dam. They help assess seepage, pore water pressures, and overall dam stability by providing real-time auscultation data. Damaged piezometer cable jeopardizes the accuracy of the entire monitoring system. In this paper, we have presented the reflectometry technique for the piezometers cables diagnosis to detect any faults that can alter the auscultation data and minimize the risk of misinterpretations and their consequences. The experimentation has shown that all the cables tested are healthy, and it has also provided us with a fingerprint for each cable that can serve as references for the next periodic tests.

Multivariate statistical analysis of groundwater quality in the Akbou region Bejaia

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0100

The physico-chemical parameters are the most important analysis that characterizes the groundwater quality. Therefore, they determine the use of water (supply water, irrigation, industrie...)

The study aim determining the physico-chemical analysis and the hydrogeological characteristics of the aquifer of Akbou region Bejaia coming from the different wells.

To investigate the conformity of these wells, samples were taken in 2023, from 6 boreholes, which are principal resources of water supplying Akbou region, to have a dataset composed from 15 chemical variables over the entire study area, which then, exploited, and analyzed using multivariate statistical techniques.

The analysis is useful for the authorities to plan the supply of water to their populations, and rational use of groundwater resources.

Study of Soil Reinforced Embakment Slope Stability with Geotextiles

M.Boumaiza, S.Mohamadi, A. Arbaoui, H. Malki — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0100

The aim of this study is to analyze the stability of a slope reinforced by geotextiles, taking into account the allowable factor of safety and displacement. The slope stability analysis was carried out by the finite element method using PLAXIS 2D. In this study, two types of ordered modeling were carried out. First, the stability of the slope without any reinforcement was analyzed; the second modeling consisted in determining the length of the geotextile reinforcement taking into account the stability of the slope. The results of the present study indicate that geotextile reinforcement can have a positive effect on the stability of the embankment and helps to reduce the development of internal overpressure and augmentation of safety coefficient, the amelioration is estimed to 40 %.

The impact of pollution on the Algerian water dams-particular emphasis on a Bouira’s dam

Mohamed Rezki — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0100

The diffusion of pollutants such ammonia and its interactions with the environment, including elements like temperature and pH, are thoroughly examined in this research. The study uses mathematical modelling to examine how pollution has increased overall, paying particular attention to how ammonia has changed over time. We can determine how pollution levels vary in several regions by examining diffusion and pollution rates. Then, based on the rate of change in pollutants, the remaining handling capacity is distributed. Special focus is placed on a dam in Bouira in this case the Lakehal Dam, which exacerbates the issue by relying entirely on a single river (wadi) for water retention, resulting in inadequate oxygenation. In order to highlight how terrible, the situation is, it’s crucial to recognise the role of the Lekhal Dam and its treatment play a significant role in providing drinking water to the cities of Ain Bessem, El Hachimia, and Sour El Ghozlane, as well as the nearby industrial complexes. Notably, the dam is located just 6 km from Ain Bessem. Finally, statistical data is presented to facilitate further discussion and offer clarity on the pollution problem, keeping in view that the main goal of this paper is to give an overall explanation without mentioning too many details which can be studied in other works.

Alginate-based biomaterial synthesis: use in tannery wastewater treatment

Fatiha BELALIA — Mon, 17 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0100

The wastewater has a high chromium concentration during the tanning and washing stage. Water is dumped into the sea in some countries. The application of novel alginate-based biomaterialswith unique gelling properties is the focus of the current investigation. When polycations are present, gels occur. These gels can be partially replaced by other metal cations, which allow the effluent to be somewhat diluted. The work focuses on developing and applying microcapsules as a viable option for wastewater treatmentto remove heavy metals. The synthesized biomaterial was tested to depollute wastewater from a tannery in a batch reactor. The absorption process was carried out at a pH of 5.8 and a temperature of 26°C. This survey carried emonstrates that heavy metals do not contribute to environmental pollution except for the level ofchromium VI (7.16 mg/L), which is higher than that envisaged.

Degradation of an anionic dye by an adsorbent based on date palm petioles: Study of adsorption kinetics and isotherms

AICHOUR Amina, DJAFER KHODJA Hakim — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Anionic dyes degradation represent a challenge especially those with unstable structures, The chosen dye of the present study is Methyl Orange (MO). Its degradation was employed using an adsorbent based on palm petioles labelled (PP). The adsorbent was identified through FTIR and SEM analysis. MO removal was very dependent on initial dye concentration and contact time. Kinetic adsorption followed the pseudo-second-order model for the MO concentration of 50 and 150 mg/L, and the pseudo-second-order model for 100 mg/L. Intraparticle-diffusion can occur at the same time with the pseudo-first-order and the pseudo-second-order kinetics. The maximum adsorption capacity of MO on PP is 227.20mg/g. Langmuir model gives best results R²> 0.84 and saturated monolayer with values of adsorbed quantities close to the experimental values. The adsorbent derived from date palm petioles is an ecological material, low-cost, biodegradable and it can be used sufficiently in the degradation of anionic dyes.

Hydrological flood modeling and risk flooding evaluation methodology: Case of the Oued Mina catchment in the Wilaya of Relizane (North- West of Algeria)

Aichoune Merzaka, Yahiaoui Abdelhalim — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Flood risk is composed into hazard and vulnerability. Hazard requires the study of the flood regime by the flood modelling, the aim of this study is to use the two characteristics well, hydrological characteristics are very important to know, the quantile of 10 years of instantaneous maxima annual flood flow estimated by Pearson III distribution is equal to 634.60 m3/s, and the duration of the characteristic flood in the catchment (D=10 hours).Those indices conduct to obtain all the mathematical Flowduration-Frequency (QdF) models and the synthetic flood hydrographs whose considered as the hydrological flood modelling. The obtained result for a specific return period conduct to the hazard as a first component of the risk and using those model with a certain methodology to determine the vulnerability as the second component of the risk and for mapping areas at risk of flooding.