Libro

Descripción

Study of Mineral and Organic Pollution of Waters of Oued Saf-Saf (Algerian Northeast)" A vital river under siege. A scientific investigation reveals the urgent cost of industrial and agricultural growth. In Algeria's critical Skikda region, the Oued Saf-Saf River is a lifeline for agriculture and a barometer for environmental health. But as industrial and agricultural development has intensified, so has the strain on its waters. What is the true impact of urban, agricultural, and petrochemical pollution on this essential resource? In this rigorous scientific study, researchers Fadila Fekrache and Khaled Boudeffa present a stark, data-driven assessment. Through systematic sampling across three key stations and the analysis of twelve critical physicochemical parameters—from electrical conductivity and chlorides to phosphates and biochemical oxygen demand—they map the river's deteriorating health with precision. The findings are conclusive: a clear spatial and temporal degradation from upstream to downstream. The study identifies seawater intrusion, the excessive use of phosphate fertilizers, and, most significantly, untreated discharges from the massive Sonatrach petrochemical complex as primary drivers of contamination, with many values exceeding WHO safety guidelines for irrigation and aquatic life. More than a diagnosis, this work employs advanced statistical analysis (PCA) to pinpoint pollution sources and concludes with vital recommendations for mitigation. This paper is an essential read for environmental scientists, hydrologists, policymakers, and anyone concerned with the sustainable management of water resources in the face of rapid development. Keywords: Water Quality, Physicochemical Pollution, Agricultural Runoff, Industrial Effluent, Saf-Saf River, Skikda, GIS Mapping, Principal Component Analysis (PCA).