PHYSICOCHIMICAL AND BACTERIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF WATERS FOR OUED SEYBOUSE (NORTHEAST ALGERIA)

Abstract

Water is a natural resource essential to all living beings.

Algeria is rich in surface and underground water, which varies from wilaya to wilaya depending on climatic conditions and location. 

The Oued Seybouse is one of the most important rivers in eastern Algeria, formed near Guelma by the meeting of the Oued Cheref and the Oued Bouhamdane in the Medjez Amar region, its basin is the largest in Algeria; it joins the Mediterranean near Annaba.

Its hydrographic network is currently threatened by human activities (urban and industrial discharges, use of water for agricultural purposes). Studies on the bacteriological analysis and some physico-chemical parameters of Oued Seybouse water are important to assess the quality of these waters and identify potential risks to human health and the environment.

To this end, an experimental and quantitative study of the Oued Seybouse waters flowing through the Guelma wilaya was carried out monthly during 2022 (January to December) at four stations.

The bacteriological examination provided information on the presence of bacteria such as total and faecal coliforms, faecal streptococci and pathogenic germs that can cause illness in humans.

The results of the physico-chemical analyses showed a variation in the elements studied according to several factors such as rainfall and geological substrates.