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.

• 
  Koppen Geiger Climate Zones
• 
  Average Annual Precipitation
• 
  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. The Agence Nationale des Ressources Hydrauliques (ANRH) is responsible for river flow gauging in Algeria. ANRH maintains a network of 162 hydrometric stations, almost exclusively in the north of the country, and collects hydrometric data on average monthly flow rates or average monthly inflows to hydrological stations. These data are typically available for periods of between 25 and 30 years (www.anrh.dz) In some watersheds at large dams, hydrometric measurements are made by the National Agency of Dams and Transfers (ANBT) (http://www.anbt.dz)

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

This section provides a summary of the geology of Algeria. More detail can be found in the references listed at the bottom of this page. Many of these references can be accessed through the Africa Groundwater Literature Archive.

The geology map on this page shows a simplified version of the geology at a national scale (see the Geology resources page for more details). The map is available to download as a shapefile (.shp) for use in GIS packages.

Other, larger scale, geological maps are available: see the Key Geology References section below for more details.

Summary

Algeria is divided into two major tectonic units, separated by the South Atlas fault:

- the north of Algeria (Atlas domain), which has been strongly impacted by Alpine tectonics; and

- the Sarahan platform in the south of Algeria (Saharan domain), which is relatively stable and the impact of tectonics is less pronounced.

The northern Atlas domain is defined by the following west-east trending geological features:

- In the south, the Saharan Atlas mountain range of alpine origin;

- In the centre, platforms, including Oran Meseta to the west and the Mole Ain Regada in the East;

- In the north. the Tell Atlas, a complex area composed of tectonic layers stacked up during the Miocene. Late Neogene sedimentary basins, such as the Chelif Hodna, formed on these Miocene tectonic sheets.

The Saharan domain, to the south of the Atlas mountains, belongs to the North African Craton. Precambrian basement is unconformably overlain in much of the domain by thick sedimentary rocks of Paleozoic to Mesozoic age, which have formed in several basins separated by high ground.

Geological Environments

Key Formations	Period	Lithology	Structure
Unconsolidated Sediments
	Recent-Quaternary	These unconsolidated sediments include sabkha and lake deposits, fluvial and recent alluvial deposits, and many dune deposits. Intramontane alluvial deposits are typically highly heterogenous: for example, sometimes almost isolated gravel lenses within a dominantly silt sequence.	Many alluvial sediments were deposited in intramontane grabens, overlying generally carbonate bedrock.
Cenozoic
Marine Sedimentary	Neogene-Palaeogene	Marine sandstones and limestones
Volcanic	Plio-Quaternary (occasionally Cretaceous)	Rocks formed by recent volcanism: in the northwest (Ain Témouchent) and northeast (Béjaia and Jijel).
Mesozoic Sedimentary
	Cretaceous	Mainly marine sedimentary rocks. In the northern Atlas domain, these include: - Late Cretaceous (Séonien) marly limestones marking deeper marine sedimentation; - Turonian marl, which is extensive in the north, except for highland areas and Constantine - Cenomanian marine deposits. These include shallow evaporites in the south; deeper marine in the Tell area, where there is 1000m thickness of pelagic marl; neritic carbonate in Hodna - Albian sandstones and flysch deposits in the Atlas; and clay-sand facies in the Tell region - Aptian carbonate reef transgression sedimentary rocks in the Hodna and Aures areas - detrital and silicious rocks that crop out in the Atlas mountains In the southern Sahara domain, these include: - the Terminal complex: marine deposits of the Cenomanian, Turonian, Senonian and Eocene - Lower Cretaceous Continental Intercalaire (equivalent to Nubian sandstone type rocks) clayey sandstones and marine Aptian deposits.	Occur in elongate basins in the Atlas domain and larger basins in the Sahara domain. E.g. the dorsale du M'Zab in the central Sahara, and Monts d'Ougarta, Daoura basin, Tademait plateau and Tinhert plateau in north-occidental Sahara.
	Jurassic	In the northern Atlas domain, the Jurassic sequence starts with a marine transgression and includes dolomitic limestone, passing upwards to marl in the Upper Lias. In the southern Sahara domain, the Jurassic is largely continental, with shales, mudstones, siltstones and conglomerates.	Occur mainly in the Atlas domain, in a series of basins in conjunction with younger Cretaceous and Cenozoic sedimentary rocks.
	Triassic (occasionally Permo-Triassic)	'Karoo' type red sandstones, limestones and claystones, eg in Great Kabylia. Passes upwards to evaporites and to Mushelkalk limestone. Towards the south of the Atlas domain, Triassic rocks are evaporitic and gypsiferous, underlain by Mushelkalk limestone.	Not widespread in Algeria; occur mainly in the Atlas domain.
Palaeozoic Sedimentary
	Cambrian (occasionally Precambrian) to Carboniferous	Mainly marine, clastic and carbonate sedimentary rocks, which can reach several kilometres in thickness. Includes sandstones and dolomitic limestones. In the northern Atlas domain, these include: - Ordovician to Silurian meta-sedimentary rocks In the southern Sahara domain, these include: - Carboniferous continental sedimentary rocks - Lower Carboniferous and Devonian marine sedimentary rocks - Silurian shales and limestones, with graptolites - Cambro-Ordovician sandstones Cambro-Ordovician sandstones	Formed in sedimentary basins separated by high ground.
Precambrian
	Proterozoic	The Ougarta chain in southwest Algeria was affected by NW-SE and EW folding during the Hercynian orogeny (Donzeau 1972).
	Archaean	Plutonic and gneissose complex, often migmatites, in the east of Hoggar and Reguibat areas in southeast Algeria; undifferentiated metamorphic rocks elsewhere.

Hydrogeology

This section provides a summary of the hydrogeology of the main aquifers in Algeria. More information is available in the references listed at the bottom of this page. Many of these references can be accessed through the Africa Groundwater Literature Archive.

The hydrogeology map on this page shows a simplified version of the type and productivity of the main aquifers at a national scale (see the Aquifer properties resource page for more details). The map is available to download as a shapefile (.shp) for use in GIS packages. Other, larger scale, hydrogeological maps are available: see the Key Hydrogeology References section below for more details.

Summary

In the northern Atlas domain, the complex tectonic history has segmented the main geological units, resulting in a largely number of relatively small, spatially limited aquifer units.

In the southern Sahara domain, although it is much larger - covering more than 80% of the country - there are even fewer significant aquifer units than in the north. Additionally, because of the very low rainfall in the Sahara (<100 mm/year ), current recharge to these aquifers is virtually nonexistent. The exploitation of groundwater resources of the Sahara is therefore groundwater "mining", with inexorable decline in available resources.

In central and eastern Algeria there are few large and/or significant aquifers: those that exist include plain of Mitidja, the Hodna basin, the Annaba Bouteldja plain, the neritic karst of Constantine, the karst of the Aures-Ziban region and the Tebessa-Soukahras region.

Unconsolidated Sediments

Named Aquifers	General Description	Water quantity issues	Water quality issues	Recharge
Alluvium	Intramontane alluvial deposits in the northern Atlas domain are characterised by strong vertical and horizontal anisotropy. Groundwater sometimes exists in almost isolated gravel lenses within dominantly low permeability silt.	Water quantity issues	Water quality issues
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

Recharge

Recharge is estimated from effective infiltration based on a water balance approach and surface outcropping formations, but estimates vary widely. The best recharge occurs in coastal aquifers.

Some karst aquifers are under coverage (Constantine)

Groundwater Status

Groundwater quantity

The potential for available exploitable groundwater has been estimated for 123 different hydrogeological units by the Agence Nationale des Ressources Hydrauliques (ANRH). The total available exploitable potential is estimated at about 2.7 billion m³ in the northern Atlas region and 5 billion m³ in the southern Saharan region.

Some aquifers located downstream of dams are deprived of recharge.

Groundwater-surface water interaction

Most permanent rivers are supported by groundwater in dry periods.

There are groundwater-dependent wetlands in the region of El Tarf and Benazzouz.

Groundwater use and management

Groundwater use

One estimate of known groundwater sources in Algeria is: 44615 boreholes, 123099 wells and 5408 managed springs. Another estimate identified 10,000 boreholes, of which 4,000 were used for agriculture. Another source (DHA) estimated over 20,000 illegally drilled boreholes. Most abstraction boreholes are fitted with an electric pump.

One estimate of total groundwater abstraction from all sources is 4.3 billion m³/year. The National Water Plan (Ministere des Ressources en Eau 2010) estimated that 1.8 billion m³ of total groundwater is used annually for all sources in the northern Atlas region.

The estimate of groundwater used for drinking water supply in the northern region is 1.3 billion m³/year, which is estimated at 63% of the total groundwater resource (Ministere des Ressources en Eau 2010).

The volume of groundwater abstracted for agriculture and industry is reviewed annually, but there is considerable uncertainty, as data are scattered and often contradictory.

Groundwater management

At a national level, the Ministry of Water Resources (MRE) is responsible for monitoring, coordination and preparation of legislation concerning the governance of groundwater.

The Agence Nationale des Ressources Hydrauliques (ANRH) is responsible for the exploration and assessment and the protection of groundwater resources. The ANRH is also responsible for groundwater monitoring (see below).

Algerian Waters (ADE) is responsible for the exploitation of groundwater for drinking water.

The National Office for Irrigation and Drainage (ONID) is responsible for the exploitation of groundwater for irrigation.

At the regional level, the five agencies of the Hydrographic Basin (ABH); basin committees; advisory bodies established for consultation with representatives of the State; local authorities and users, all interact to discuss and formulate opinions on matters related to water at the river basin scale.

At the local level, the water resources directorates of the wilayas (departments) are responsible in their jurisdictions for issuing drilling permits; accounting for abstracted groundwater flow rates; and monitoring and facilitating the activities of the water police.

Groundwater legislation

05-12 The Law of 4 August 2005 on water covers the protection and conservation of groundwater resources by establishing:

- quantitative protection perimeters, within which new wells, drilling or modifications of existing facilties are prohibited, in order to increase the rates levied.

- qualitative protection perimeters, within which all industrial activities can be regulated, prohibited, or subject to special measures of control, restriction or prohibition. These activities include in particular:

- Installation of water piping

- Tanks for and disposal of hydrocarbons

- Fuel distribution service stations

- Any industrial construction

- Waste disposal of any kind

- Manure spreading,

- Disposal of any products and materials that could affect water quality

This legislation is implemented related to the identified protection perimeters.

Groundwater monitoring

The Agence Nationale des Ressources Hydrauliques (ANRH) is reponsible for groundwater quality and quantity monitoring at a national level, and for the collection, processing and updating of information on water resources.

ANRH maintains a national piezometric network monitoring groundwater. This piezometric network is comprised of 500 observation points. Piezometric measurement campaigns and analysis are done in two annual campaigns (at low and high water level points). The data are published in tables and maps, and stored in databases of various measured and observed data: 110 000 water point files (for boreholes, wells and springs) are inventoried and archived.

ANRH also maintains a national monitoring network of groundwater quality with 550 monitoring points. These are sampled once per quarter for physicochemical analysis, including conductivity and nitrogen elements, and twice a year for heavy metals. Water samples are sent for physicochemical, bacteriological and hydrobiological analysis at one central or six regional laboratories, which have an annual capacity of 40,000 water samples (and 5000 soil samples). The analysed data are stored in a national water quality database, "SIQUEAU", which contains information from all water observation and measurement networks.

Transboundary aquifers

The following transboundary aquifers are shared with the countries listed:

- Northern Saharan Aquifer System (SASS), also known as the Northwest Sahara Aquifer System (NWSAS) : Algeria, Tunisia, Libya

- Taoudéni Basin : Algeria, Mali, Mauritania

- Air Cristalline Aquifer : Algeria, Mali, Niger

- Tin-Séririne Basin : Algeria, Niger

- Errachidia Basin : Algeria, Morocco

The NWSAS/SASS is managed through a permanent tripartite consulation mechanism hosted by the Observatoire du Sahara et du Sahel (Sahara and Sahel Observatory) (OSS). The main objective is to coordinate the joint management of water resources in the NWSAS/SASS through the continuation of work to improve understanding of the system and its exploitation. This is done through a steering committee is made up of the national structures in charge of water resources in each of the three countries, which act as the national focal points; a coordination unit is managed and hosted by the OSS; and an ad hoc scientific committee is brought together for evaluation and scientific orientation.

Activities and outputs from the consultation mechanism include

- managing and updating the tools developed by the "NWSAS" project, including the NWSAS model, - establishing and maintaining observation networks, - analysing and validating data concerning the resource, - developing databases on the socio-economic uses of water, - identifying and publishing indicators concerning the resource and its uses, - promoting and performing studies and research conducted in partnership, and - developing and implementing training and improvement programmes.

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.

Shluter. 2008. Geological Overview of Algeria.

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.

Ministere des Ressources en Eau. 2010. Réalisation de l'étude d'actualisation du plan national de l'Eau. Alger (comprenant un atlas de 18 cartes des ressources en eau souterraines. http://www.mre.dz

OSS (Sahara and Sahel Observatory). 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,

For Sedimentary Fracture - Karstic aquifers:

Agence de Bassin hydrographique (ABH). 2009. Qualité des eaux souterraines dans les bassins du Kebir-Rhumel, de la seybouse et de la Medjarda-Mellegue, 2004-2007. Les Cahiers de l’Agence. p13.

Chabour N. 2006. Hydrogéologie des domaines de transition entre l’Atlas saharien et la plateforme saharienne à l’Est de l’Algérie. Thèse de Doctorat. Université de Constantine.

Djebbar M. 2005. Caractérisation du système karstique hydrothermal Constantine-Hamma Bouziane -Salah Bey dans le Constantinois central (Algérie nord orientale) Thèse de Doctorat.

Ferraga A. 1986. Ressources en eau des karsts du Nord Est Algérien- thèse pour obtenir le grade de docteur-Ingénieur. 166 p.

ISSAADI A. 1981. Etude hydrogéologique des massifs du Guerioun et Fortass (dans le Sud constantinois). Thèse de Doctorat troisième cycle. IST. USTHB. Alger.

Souag M. 1985. Etude hydrogéologique hydrochimique et isotopique de la nappe néritique septentrionale de Constantine N-E Algérien. Thèse doctorat Univ de Paris Sud France, pp 135–141