Geochemical Study of Mineralization of the Thermo-Mineral Sources in the North East of Algeria

Abstract

The majority of thermal sources in northeastern of Algeria, is home to a large number of Hammams (spas) with high geothermal potential (El Tarf; Guelma, Souk Ahras, and Skikda). These thermal springs fall into the low temperature category (between 30°C and 150°C), however Hammam Debagh’s source being the warmest at about 90°C. Multiple field campaigns from 12 thermal springs were conducted in northeastern Algeria between 2020 and 2021 to highlight the geochemistry of these waters. The results show that these geologically protected waters have a totally stable geochemical composition, i.e., they have not undergone any chemical treatment or disinfection before being used thermally. Understanding the origin and mineralization of thermal waters in a continental Mediterranean environment is the focus of this investigation. The monitoring of physical indicators, including pH, temperature (°C), water conductivity, dissolved oxygen, flow, and turbidity, in conjunction with the use of the hydrochemical tool, chemical facies, and the saturation index, was done on the 12 of sites studied. Geological evidence has shown that these waters are typically found in deep aquifers and are subject to brittle tectonics. The find - ings of the investigations performed on the thermal waters revealed that for the evaporitic carbonated components, an enrichment in (Na +2 ) and in (Cl - ) mostly attributable to a geological origin, on the other hand, a depletion of halite (under-saturated) and to a lesser extent, gypsum.