Hydrogeology of Algeria

Africa Groundwater Atlas >> Hydrogeology by country >> Hydrogeology of Algeria

Authors

Dr Nabil Chabour, Université Constantine, Algeria.

Dr Naima Mebrouk, Université d'Oran, Algeria

Professor Moulay Idriss Hassani, Université de Oran, Algeria

Dr Kirsty Upton, Brighid Ó Dochartaigh, British Geological Survey, UK

Geographical Setting

Political Map of Algeria (For more information on the datasets used in the map see the geography resources section)

General

The majority of Algeria's land surface is dominated by the Sahara Desert. This is separated from the coastal region by the Tellian and Saharan Atlas Mountain Ranges, which run across the country from east to west, parallel to the Mediterranean coast.

Estimated Population in 2013*	39,208,194
Rural Population (% of total)*	30%
Total Surface Area*	2,381,740 sq km
Agricultural Land (% of total area)*	17%
Capital City	Algiers
Region	North Africa
Border Countries	Tunisia, Libya, Niger, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco
Annual Freshwater Withdrawal (2013)*	5,723 Million cubic metres
Annual Freshwater Withdrawal for Agriculture (2013)*	61%
Annual Freshwater Withdrawal for Domestic Use (2013)*	24%
Annual Freshwater Withdrawal for Industry (2013)*	15%
Rural Population with Access to Improved Water Source (2012)*	80%
Urban Population with Access to Improved Water Source (2012)*	86%

* Source: World Bank

Climate

The climate of Algeria's northern coastal region is temperate, with dry, hot summers and mild, wet winters. Average annual precipitation in this region is around 600 mm. The climate in the south of Algeria is arid, with average annual rainfall close to zero. Average temperatures generally increase from north to south, although values are slightly higher in the coastal region compared to the Atlas mountains, because of the cooling effect of elevation.

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  Koppen Geiger Climate Zones
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  Average Annual Precipitation
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  Average Temperature

There are temporal changes in precipitation and temperature throughout the year. The hottest months of June, July and August generally correspond to a distinct dry season. Rainfall time-series and graphs of monthly average rainfall and temperature for each of the two climate zones can be found on the Algeria Climate Page.

For further detail on the climate datasets used see the climate resources section.

Surface water

Low rainfall means that the majority of rivers in the mountainous and desert regions of Algeria are ephemeral, flowing only after large rainfall events. Only the rivers in the northern coastal region are perennial, flowing all year round. The Chelif (or Cheliff) River is the longest river in Algeria, flowing for 700 km from its source in the Saharan Atlas to its discharge point in the Mediterranean Sea. More info from country authors...

Surface Water Map of Algeria (For more information on the datasets used in the map see the surface water resources section)

Soil

Soil Map of Algeria (For more information on the datasets used in the map see the soil resources section)

Soils in the mountainous Atlas region of Algeria are dominated by stony Leptosols. In the drier area to the north of the Atlas, soils are generally rich in calcium carbonate (Calcisols). Many of these soils are suitable for agriculture, but water availability is a key constraint on crop growth. Along the wetter coastal region, soils are better developed and give rise to more vegetation - these include Luvisols and Cambisols. Vertisols, which support extensive cereal cultivation and grazing, occur in the eastern coastal region of Algeria. The arid region to the south of the Atlas is characterised by poorly developed Leptosols, which contain little organic matter. Regions of Arenosols denote large areas of sand dunes. Fluvisols are found along river valleys. To the south of the Atlas the rivers are generally ephemeral, but in the wetter northern region, where rivers are perennial, the valleys are often intensively cultivated.

Land cover

Land Cover Map of Algeria(For more information on the datasets used in the map see the land cover resources section)

Geology

Geological Environments

Key Formations	Period	Lithology	Structure
Unconsolidated Deposits
Name of Formation 1	Geological Period	Further detail on the lithology of this formation	Important structural features
Name of Formation 2	Geological Period	Further detail on the lithology of this formation	Important structural features
Name of Formation 3	Geological Period	Further detail on the lithology of this formation	Important structural features
Name of Formation 4	Geological Period	Further detail on the lithology of this formation	Important structural features
Igneous
Name of Formation 1	Geological Period	Further detail on the lithology of this formation	Important structural features
Name of Formation 2	Geological Period	Further detail on the lithology of this formation	Important structural features
Sedimentary Basin
Name of Formation 1	Geological Period	Further detail on the lithology of this formation	Important structural features
Name of Formation 2	Geological Period	Further detail on the lithology of this formation	Important structural features
Name of Formation 3	Geological Period	Further detail on the lithology of this formation	Important structural features
Name of Formation 4	Geological Period	Further detail on the lithology of this formation	Important structural features
Name of Formation 5	Geological Period	Further detail on the lithology of this formation	Important structural features
Name of Formation 6	Geological Period	Further detail on the lithology of this formation	Important structural features
Precambrian Metasedimentary
Name of Formation 1	Geological Period	Further detail on the lithology of this formation	Important structural features
Name of Formation 2	Geological Period	Further detail on the lithology of this formation	Important structural features
Precambrian Mobile/Orogenic Belt
Name of Formation 1	Geological Period	Further detail on the lithology of this formation	Important structural features
Name of Formation 2	Geological Period	Further detail on the lithology of this formation	Important structural features
Precambrian Craton
Name of Formation 1	Geological Period	Further detail on the lithology of this formation	Important structural features
Name of Formation 2	Geological Period	Further detail on the lithology of this formation	Important structural features

Hydrogeology

This section will contain a broad overview of the hydrogeology.

Aquifer properties

Unconsolidated

Named Aquifers	General Description	Water quantity issues	Water quality issues	Recharge
Aquifer 1	General description, including properties, thickness, confined/unconfined	Water quantity issues	Water quality issues	Recharge
Aquifer 2	General description, including properties, thickness, confined/unconfined	Water quantity issues	Water quality issues	Recharge

Igneous

Named Aquifers	General Description	Water quantity issues	Water quality issues	Recharge
Aquifer 1	General description, including properties, thickness, confined/unconfined	Water quantity issues	Water quality issues	Recharge
Aquifer 2	General description, including properties, thickness, confined/unconfined	Water quantity issues	Water quality issues	Recharge

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Consolidated Sedimentary - Intergranular Flow

Named Aquifers	General Description	Water quantity issues	Water quality issues	Recharge
Aquifer 1	General description, including properties, thickness, confined/unconfined	Water quantity issues	Water quality issues	Recharge
Aquifer 2	General description, including properties, thickness, confined/unconfined	Water quantity issues	Water quality issues	Recharge

Consolidated Sedimentary - Intergranular & Fracture Flow

Named Aquifers	General Description	Water quantity issues	Water quality issues	Recharge
Aquifer 1	General description, including properties, thickness, confined/unconfined	Water quantity issues	Water quality issues	Recharge
Aquifer 2	General description, including properties, thickness, confined/unconfined	Water quantity issues	Water quality issues	Recharge

Consolidated Sedimentary - Fracture Flow

Named Aquifers	General Description	Water quantity issues	Water quality issues	Recharge
Aquifer 1	General description, including properties, thickness, confined/unconfined	Water quantity issues	Water quality issues	Recharge
Aquifer 2	General description, including properties, thickness, confined/unconfined	Water quantity issues	Water quality issues	Recharge

Basement

Named Aquifers	General Description	Water quantity issues	Water quality issues	Recharge
Aquifer 1	General description, including properties, thickness, confined/unconfined	Water quantity issues	Water quality issues	Recharge
Aquifer 2	General description, including properties, thickness, confined/unconfined	Water quantity issues	Water quality issues	Recharge
Aquifer 3	General description, including properties, thickness, confined/unconfined	Water quantity issues	Water quality issues	Recharge
Aquifer 4	General description, including properties, thickness, confined/unconfined	Water quantity issues	Water quality issues	Recharge

Groundwater Status

General information on groundwater quantity, groundwater quality, river-aquifer interaction and groundwater dependent ecosystems.

Groundwater use and management

Groundwater use

Overview of groundwater use.

Groundwater management

Overview of groundwater management.

Transboundary aquifers

Overview of transboundary aquifers.

Groundwater monitoring

Overview of groundwater monitoring.

References

Many of the references below, and others related to the hydrogeology of Algeria, can be accessed through the Africa Groundwater Literature Archive.

Key Geology References

Cartes/Maps:

Agence du Service Géologique de l'Algérie. Carte géologique de l'Algérie au 1:500;000: 1 carte en 6 coupures (Nord) + Notice; 1 carte en 3 coupures (Sud). Service de la carte géologique 1951-1952, Alger. http://www.asga.dz

Agence du Service Géologique de l'Algérie. 187 cartes à l’échelle 1:50,000 et 165 notices explicatives; 13 cartes à l’échelle 1:100,000 et 4 notices explicatives; 24 cartes à l’échelle 1:200,000 et 9 notices explicatives et 8 coupures spéciales.

Agence Nationale de la Géologie et du Contrôle Minier (ANGCM)/ Agence Spatiale Algérienne. http://www.angcm.gov.dz , http://www.asal.dz/carto-algerie.php

Actualisation et finalisation de la carte géologique de l'Algérie au 1:2,000,000 avec l'appui de l'imagerie ALSAT1.

Société Nationale d’Editions et de Diffusion (SNED). ‎1978. Carte géologique du nord-ouest de l'Afrique, 1:5,000,000. ‎Mémoires de la Société d'histoire naturelle de l'Afrique du Nord, Alger.

Bertrand J-M et Caby B. 1977. Carte géologique du Hoggar, 1:1,000,000. - Alger. Service géologique de l'Algérie/Société nationale de recherches et d'exploitation minières. 1 carte en 2 coupures : en coul.

BRGM. 1962. Carte géologique du Sahara : massif du Hoggar, 1:500,000. Paris. 1 carte en 12 coupures : en coul. et notice.

Vila JM et al. 1978. Structural map of the Alpine chain of eastern Algeria at 1:500,000.

Texts:

ARRIS Y. 1994. Etude tectonique et micro tectonique des séries jurassiques à plio-quaternaires du Constantinois central (Algérie nord orientale) caractérisation des différentes phases de déformations. Doctorat d'université, Nancy I, 215p.

Askri H, Belmecheri B, Benrabah B, Boudjema A, Boumendjel K, Daoudi M, Drid M, Ghalem T, Docca AM, Ghandriche H, Chomari A, Guellati N, Khennous M, Lounici R, Naili H, Takherist D et Terkmani M. 1995. Geologie de l'Algerie /Geology of Algeria. Contribution from SONATRACH Exploration Division, Research and Development Centre and Petroleum Engineering and Development Division. Schlumberger WEC SONATRACH.

Coiffait PE. 1992. Un bassin post-nappe dans son cadre structural l'exemple du bassin de Constantine (Algérie Nord Orientale). Thèse Sciences. Nancy I.P.502.

Donzeau M. 1972. Les déformations hercyniennes dans le paléozoïque des monts d’Ougarta (Sahara occidental algérien). C.R. Acad. Sci., Paris, t.274, p3519-3522.

Echikh K. 1975. Géologie des provinces pétrolières de l'Algérie, SNED, 173p, Alger.

Kazi Tani N. 1986. Geodynamic evolution of the North African border: intraplate North Algerian area mégaséquentielle Approach, 3rd cycle Thesis, Univ. Pau, 870 p.

Vila JM. 1980. the Alpine range of eastern Algeria and the Algerian-Tunisian border, Thesis Univ. P. and M. Curie Paris.

Wildi W. 1983. La chaine tello-rifaine/The Tello-Rif range (Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia. Revue de géographie physique et de géologie dynamique, Vol. 24, Fascicule 3, pp201-297, Paris.

Key Hydrogeology References

Cartes/Maps:

ANAT. 2003. Atlas Thématique ANAT.

Agence Nationale des Ressources Hydrauliques (ANRH). 1988. Hydrogeological map of Bechar (1:500,000). UNDP Project: Water resource study of Algeria (Alg 88/021).

Agence Nationale des Ressources Hydrauliques (ANRH). 1992. Hydrogeological map of the Hoggar and Tassilis (1:1,000,000). UNDP project ALG/021: Water resources study of Algeria.

Agence Nationale des Ressources Hydrauliques (ANRH). 2003. Carte des aquifères de l'Algérie. Map, 1:4.5,000,000, from Water resources Map of Maghreb, Sirepan Water Resources Information System of Northern African Countries, African Organization of Cartography and Remote Sensing, Algiers. http://www.anrh.dz/cartes.htm

ANRH / Energoprojekt. 2009. Hydrogeological Map for North Algeria, 1:3,000,000.

ANRH / Energoprojekt. 2009. 41 Cartes Hydrogeological/maps for North Algeria at scale of 1,200,000.

BRGM. 2008. Carte hydrogéologique de l'Afrique à l'échelle du 1/10 Million. Hydrogeological map of Africa, France, 2008

Texts:

Achi K. 1970. Hydrogéologie du bassin du chott d’El Hodna - Essai de synthèse des connaissances actuelles.

BCEOM - BG - SOGREAH group/ Ministry of Water Resources Department and Hydraulic Facilities (DEAH). Mission 2 - A. Report: Actualization and completion Study of National Water Plan. Hydrographic Centre and East regions.

Bellaidi M et Rebheoui H. 2002. Note sur l’évolution de la nappe de la Mitidja - Document ANRH N 038.

Besbes A et Mehdid A. 1980. Modèle de simulation hydrogéologique du bassin du HODNA.

Bousnoubra H. 1985. Hydrogéologie de quelques réservoirs karstiques du Nord-Est algérien - Synthèse des connaissances actuelles - Mémoire de thèse de 3ème cycle, Université des Sciences et Techniques du Languedoc, Montpellier

Chemin J. 1975. Etude hydrogéologique de la plaine OUED KEBIR et du massif dunaire de GUERBES – Document ANRH N 75

Conseil National Economique et social (CNES)/Commission de l’Aménagement du Territoire et de Environnement. Avant-projet de rapport " L’eau en Algérie : le grand défi de demain.

Derekoy A. 1973. Etude hydrogéologique dans le bassin du chott EL HODNA - Document FAO – M.A.R.A

Derekoy A et Guiraud R. Carte hydrogéologique de synthèse, région du HODNA - Document Ministère des Ressources en Eau

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ). 1988. Rapport bimensuel de suivi de Projet PANE, Algérie, N°1.

Dib H. 1985. Le thermalisme de l’Est Algérien - Mémoire de thèse de 3ème cycle, IST-UTHB

Durozoy G. 1952. Les massifs calcaires crétacés de monts de Constantine - Etude préliminaire.

ENERGOPROJEKT HYDROINZENJERING S.A. Belgrade/ANRH/MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES. Report: Map of groundwater resources in northern Algeria

Feraga A. 1985. Ressources en eau des karst du nord algérien - Mémoire de thèse de Docteur-Ingénieur, Université des Sciences et Techniques du Languedoc, Montpellier.

Gueorguier. 1974. Géologie, hydrogéologie et essai de synthèse des massifs calcaires du flanc Nord de l’AURES.

Kardache R. 1988. Ressources en eau des karsts du Sud Est Algérien - Mémoire de thèse de Docteur-Ingénieur, Université des Sciences et Techniques du Languedoc, Montpellier.

OSS. 2003. Etude du système aquifère du Sahara septentrional, projet SASS.

Petit V. 1987. Etude par modélisation mathématique de la plaine d’ANNABA –BOUTELDJA.

Plan National de l’eau (PNE ). 2005. Etude d’actualisation et de finalisation du plan national de l’eau (PNE) - Régions hydrographiques Centre et Est. Rapport de mission 2 – Volet 4 – Hydrologie, entreprise par BCEOM-BG-SOGREAH/MRE.

Ricard J. 1974. Etude relations, transmissivités et résistances transversales, système aquifère de TEBESSAMORSOTT - Implantation de forages - Document ANRH N 74/39 bis.

Schoeller H. 1943. Etude hydrogéologique de la plaine de AIN M'LILA et de ses environs,