TITLE:
Assessment of Groundwater Quality in the Dogger Aquifer of Poitiers, Poitou-Charentes Region, France
AUTHORS:
Amani Shorieh, Gilles Porel, Moumtaz Razack
KEYWORDS:
Groundwater, Hydrochemistry, Principal Component Analysis, Pollution, Dogger Aquifer, Poitiers
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Water Resource and Protection,
Vol.7 No.3,
February
12,
2015
ABSTRACT: The Poitou-Charentes, located in the
Center-West of France, is a region where economy is based mainly on
agriculture. This region, made up of 4 Departments (Vienne, Charente, Charente
Maritime, Deux-Sèvres), is supplied largely by groundwater exploitation, both
for consumption and for irrigation. This resource is thus vital to the region
and its preservation is a major issue. The objective of this study is the
determination of the groundwater quality in the Dogger aquifer of Poitiers
(Vienne Department), which is the main water resource for this area and to
achieve a better understanding of the factors influencing groundwater
mineralization. Sixty-six wells, distributed over the study area, were sampled
and analyzed for major ions (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+,
K+, HCO3-, Cl-, SO42-, NO3-). Data were interpreted using graphical (Piper diagram, binary diagrams)
and statistical methods (correlation matrix, principal components analysis).
Saturation and chloro-alkaline indices were also computed. It is shown that the
groundwater mineralization is mainly associated with Ca2+, K+,
HCO3-, Cl-, SO42-, and NO3-. Hydrochemistry of groundwater is determined by both natural processes,
and anthropogenic factors. Natural factors are dissolution of carbonate and
dolomitic minerals, and cation exchanges with clays, while anthropogenic
factors are contaminant infiltration with waste waters and agricultural
fertilizers. Nitrate is the main contaminant found in the groundwater and makes
this resource unsuitable for consumption at some places.