Assessment of the Impact of Thermal Springs on Surface Water Quality in the Soummam Watershed (Algeria)

Abstract

This study presents the first watershed-scale assessment of the impact of thermal spring discharges on the hydrochemistry and water quality of the Soummam basin (northeastern Algeria). Fourteen stations were monitored during three campaigns (October 2024, December 2024 and March 2025), combining physicochemical analyses, hydrochemical diagrams, and water quality indices (WQI and IWQI). The results reveal a clear spatial gradient in water composition, from low-mineral Ca-HCO3/Ca-SO4 facies in upstream areas to highly mineralized Na-Cl facies associated with thermal springs (Sidi Yahia and Sillal). Electrical conductivity reaches up to 27,359 µS/cm, reflecting intense mineralization driven by evaporite dissolution and deep water–rock interaction. This thermomineral signature propagates downstream through mixing and ion exchange processes, leading to progressive salinity enrichment. Water quality indices highlight significant degradation in thermally influenced zones, with approximately 50% of samples unsuitable for drinking (WQI > 300) and more than 60% classified as highly restricted for irrigation (IWQI < 40). Cluster analysis further confirms the distinction between severely impacted, moderately affected, and relatively preserved waters. Overall, the findings demonstrate that thermal discharges represent a major and persistent driver of salinization, emphasizing the need to incorporate geothermal influences into water resource management strategies in semi-arid environments.