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<p>The Meffrouch catchment is part of the Tlemcen Mountains, which represent the largest karstified carbonate massif in north-western Algeria. It contains the main source of water supply in the region; however, karstic aquifers and environments are highly vulnerable to contamination and to anthropogenic activities. Thus, mapping the intrinsic vulnerability to pollution is essential for enhancing the protection of water resources. This study aims primarily to apply various intrinsic vulnerability assessment methods that were tested and applied to the Meffrouch catchment in order to compare their results. These methods, namely EPIK (E-Epikarst, P-Protective cover, I-Infiltration conditions, K-Karst network development), RISK (R-Rock of aquifer, I-infiltration conditions, S-soil and protective cover, K-karstification), COP (C-overlying layers, O-flow concentration, P-precipitation), and simplified OCPK method (O-Overlying layers, C-Concentration of flow, P-precipitation, K-Karst network development). These methods were chosen due to the limited data availability. In addition, they have been applied in similar climatic conditions and the same karst groundwater environment. Moreover, they require a minimum amount of data and are relatively easy to implement. The results obtained showed that each method must take into account different parameters in order to map the intrinsic vulnerability effectively. In addition, it turned out that these four methods, which are used to compare the vulnerability to pollution in the Meffrouch catchment, can also help to distinguish four vulnerability classes that range from “Low” to “Very High”, for the simplified OCPK method (3.44% Low, 25.18% Moderate, 56.93% High, 4.96% Extreme), EPIK (28% Low, 26.9% Moderate, 36.1% High, 9% Extreme) and RISK (7.94% Low, 39.44% Moderate, 40.53% High, 12.09% Extreme). On the other hand, the COP method shows five different classes (39.90% Very Low, 18.15% Low, 14.95% Moderate, 14.85% High, 12.15% Extreme). The results of this assessment were then compared with water chemistry data obtained from boreholes and springs located within the basin. The study was thus validated through physico-chemical and bacteriological analyses of groundwater from the study area, which makes it possible to determine the degree to which each method is suited to the test area. No protection zone has been established for these wells. Finally, it is recommended that decision-makers at the Directorate of Water Resources and local authorities improve the management of information necessary for delimiting protection perimeters and identifying areas at risk. It has been proven that the vulnerability mapping of karst groundwater pollution is crucial because it allows better aquifer protection against pollution. It is also highly recommended to clearly delineate protection zones for catchment in karst environments.</p>

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A comparative study of karst groundwater vulnerability methods in Meffrouch catchment (Tlemcen Mountains Algeria)

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月24日

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  • Halima Saadia Fellah,
  • Fouzia Bensaoula,
  • Naouel Hezil,
  • Mamoun Fellah

摘要

The Meffrouch catchment is part of the Tlemcen Mountains, which represent the largest karstified carbonate massif in north-western Algeria. It contains the main source of water supply in the region; however, karstic aquifers and environments are highly vulnerable to contamination and to anthropogenic activities. Thus, mapping the intrinsic vulnerability to pollution is essential for enhancing the protection of water resources. This study aims primarily to apply various intrinsic vulnerability assessment methods that were tested and applied to the Meffrouch catchment in order to compare their results. These methods, namely EPIK (E-Epikarst, P-Protective cover, I-Infiltration conditions, K-Karst network development), RISK (R-Rock of aquifer, I-infiltration conditions, S-soil and protective cover, K-karstification), COP (C-overlying layers, O-flow concentration, P-precipitation), and simplified OCPK method (O-Overlying layers, C-Concentration of flow, P-precipitation, K-Karst network development). These methods were chosen due to the limited data availability. In addition, they have been applied in similar climatic conditions and the same karst groundwater environment. Moreover, they require a minimum amount of data and are relatively easy to implement. The results obtained showed that each method must take into account different parameters in order to map the intrinsic vulnerability effectively. In addition, it turned out that these four methods, which are used to compare the vulnerability to pollution in the Meffrouch catchment, can also help to distinguish four vulnerability classes that range from “Low” to “Very High”, for the simplified OCPK method (3.44% Low, 25.18% Moderate, 56.93% High, 4.96% Extreme), EPIK (28% Low, 26.9% Moderate, 36.1% High, 9% Extreme) and RISK (7.94% Low, 39.44% Moderate, 40.53% High, 12.09% Extreme). On the other hand, the COP method shows five different classes (39.90% Very Low, 18.15% Low, 14.95% Moderate, 14.85% High, 12.15% Extreme). The results of this assessment were then compared with water chemistry data obtained from boreholes and springs located within the basin. The study was thus validated through physico-chemical and bacteriological analyses of groundwater from the study area, which makes it possible to determine the degree to which each method is suited to the test area. No protection zone has been established for these wells. Finally, it is recommended that decision-makers at the Directorate of Water Resources and local authorities improve the management of information necessary for delimiting protection perimeters and identifying areas at risk. It has been proven that the vulnerability mapping of karst groundwater pollution is crucial because it allows better aquifer protection against pollution. It is also highly recommended to clearly delineate protection zones for catchment in karst environments.