Publication Date:
2021-05-19
Description:
Mencha River is one of the largest river in the region of Jijel, Algeria. The human activities such as urban discharges,
industrial, agricultural and livestock have significant effects on the quality of water. Because of its importance in
the agricultural activities and dense population residing at its banks, the river faces several challenges from various
anthropogenic activities. This situation exposes surface water to a severe pollution. The objectives of this study are
to use different indexes to assess the current pollution status in Mencha River. Indexes used in this study were
Organic Pollution Index (OPI) and Microbiological Quality Index (MQI). Based on the data collected throughout
this study, results indicated that the upper reaches of the river (station 01) has had good water quality (OPI=4,
MQI=4), while the station 04 presented a poor quality (OPI=2.75, MQI=2.33). Indeed, several pollution sources
exist in this site. The agricultural activity, among different sources, was the strongest point in the downstream
section of the river, as it contains high amounts of chemicals, causing major decrement in water quality. The used
indexes also showed that at stations 02 and 03, the water quality was moderate (OPI=3.25, MQI=3). This study can
be used to support the evaluation of regulatory and monitoring decisions.
Description:
Published
Keywords:
Pollution Organic Index (OPI)
;
Microbiological Quality Index (MQI)
;
Surface
;
Water quality
Repository Name:
AquaDocs
Type:
Journal Contribution
,
Refereed
Format:
pp.157-164
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