Hydrogeochemical assessment of thermal waters from Souk Ahras geothermal system, North East of Algeria

Abstract

The geothermal resources of Algeria are numerous; they are manifested in the form of thermal springs or that are widespread throughout the Algerian territory, and especially in the North-East where the tectonic manifestations are abundant. The region of Souk Ahras, belongs to the hydrothermal system of carbonate karstified Cretaceous, located near the Algerian-Tunisian border has many hydrothermal springs, the most important of which is the source of Hammam Tassa and Ouled Zaid, the temperatures of these springs between 39 and 40°C. According to the results of chemical analysis that were conducted on the thermal springs in the study area at different periods, source El Demssa, Tassa, Ouled Zaid, El Khengua. The thermal springs have moderately high conductivities due to the presence of a triassic evaporite formation. The pH indicates slightly acidic waters in all sampling sites, Representation of the results in the Piper diagram, all hydrochemical facies of sodium bicarbonate character; this is due to the influence of the lithology of the study area.