The Impact of Karsts Structures on the

Urban Environment in Semi Arid Area

Cheria Plateau case (Northeast of
Algeria)
Hocine Benhammadi
Laboratory "Water and Environment" (L2E), Department of Geology, University
of Tebessa, Constantine road, 12002 Tebessa. benkam61@yahoo.fr

Hicham Chaffai
Department of Geology, University of Annaba, Algeria. hichamchaffai@yahoo.fr

ABSTRACT
Urban development is often dependent on adequate land for expansion, except that sometimes these
areas have vulnerability. This is the case of karst regions characterized by carbonate geological
formations marked by the presence of cavities and cracks.
The impact of climate variability in Cheria area marked by a growing shortage of rainfall, the impact
resulted in the development of the vulnerability of these structures. This vulnerability has led to the
appearance of collapse phenomena as well in both agricultural and urban areas.
The analysis of the environmental process is in the context of our modest work, after which we
indicate the appropriate methods for management policy of urban expansion. This management more
preventive (upstream), much less expensive than remedial solutions (downstream) needed after the
event and sometimes ineffective.
KEYWORDS: Cheria, urban, climate variability, vulnerability karst collapse, extension,
management

INTRODUCTION
Karst structures are geological formations characterized by the presence of cracks and cavities of
different sizes. These courses can not escape like all other natural structures, from the effects of
climate variability, these effects are marked by an increasing rainfall deficit. (ALIBOU.J 2002)
Often saturated with water aquifers are often vulnerable because of the dissolution phenomenon,
caused by the circulation of groundwater (COLLIGNON, B.1986). The interaction that may exist
between these strucures and expansion of urban areas, sometimes leads to deterioration of the urban
fabric. The consequences of these impairments are very worrisome for managers and policy makers in
urban agglomerations. The issue presented is part of an environmental process and our analysis is
based on a multi-decadal scale.

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 Vol. 20 [2015], Bund. 8 2108

GEOLOGICAL AND HYDROGEOLOGICAL ASPECTS

The Cheria plateau triangular in shape is surrounded by mountainous borders of limestone
lithology (limestone and marl) (Figure 01).Geological investigations (GAUD. J.1977), have identified
the structure of this system is as follows:

●
Ain

Bouchguif
Bouchguif Dj.
Tazben
Bir Droudj

Bir
Dj.
Doukkan

Bir Touil

Chéri
Dj.
El

Abl

Calcaire Maestrichtien

Calcaire Éocène

Moi-Plio-Quaternaire

0 1 2 3 4 Km

Figure 1: Geographical and geological situation

- The series starts with campanian marls whose thickness reaches 400m; these are overcome by
Maestrischiens limestone reaching 250m thick. n these trainings succeed each clay marl, blackish and
Danian age (lower Eocene), with a thickness of 150 m. these clayey marl are surmounted by
limestone of the middle Eocene.
The Mio-Pliocene transgressive unconformity is made of clay and sand lenses, over a thickness of
60m. Finally the Quaternary is mainly developed in the north (fluvial gravels).
From a hydrogeological point of view, we can distinguish four aquifer levels, the most important
of which is that of Eocene limestone with interesting potential. The Maestrischien level is still poorly
known, and the level Mio-Pliocene and Quaternary saw their reserves significantly decrease until
exhaustion in some places.
Finally the different drilling localized cracked levels in the Eocene limestone has high water
reserves and often the presence of cavities (Figure 2).
 Vol. 20 [2015], Bund. 8 2109

Figure 02: Hydrogeological cross section

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Figure 2: Hydrogeological cross section

Our approach is to identify and characterize the environmental process that leads to the situation
studied. The study site is the small town of agglomeration Cheria south eastern Algeria (Figure 01).
This town is built on the plateau of Cheria characterized by certified limestones ((presence of
cavities), these courses are also an important water resource.
In parallel we rose to the water level of the water table of the limestone and its evolution over a
multi-decadal scale from 1983/84 to 2009/10 or 27 years.
Based on the results of earlier work (CHAFFAI .H 2006) and the results of our own investigation,
we followed the correlation between the evolution of the climate factor (rainfall) and fluctuating
groundwater level of the aquifer in question (BAKALOWICZ .M 1999) Also we are interested to
have a third factor that is human-induced, by its growth (population), characterized by an increasing
prélevement of the resource (figure: 04).
The combined effect of rainfall deficit and anthropogenic constraint had impact on the fall in the
groundwater level in this region. The Decade 1990/2000 was marked by a significant rainfall deficit
at the end of this period; environmental upheavals have appeared (2003).
The upheavals are represented by the appearance of collapse in different parts of the plateau
(Figure: 03), the collapse are a real environmental and geotechnical constraints for the region and
particularly in the city of Cheria, which is urban area. In this context, the contribution of geophysics
is considerably important; this investigation identifies the underground structure. We considered it
useful to present the results of a geophysical investigation tomography Technics, which was
performed at the locality of Cheria. Both made electric profiles, whose goal was the location of
underground cavities, which can be a real risk of geotechnical accident. The depth of investigation is
limited, but this technique still remains a useful contribution. The results (Figure: 05) show the
presence of cavities on the axis of the profiles, it allows taking preventive procedures in relation to
this phenomenon.
 Vol. 20 [2015], Bund. 8 2110

Figure 3: two types of sinkholes (a: Out of urban area, b: In urban area)

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The various investigations and field techniques carried out, and conducted investigations resulted
in a set of data. The study of these data and the processing was used to visualize the evolution of the
situation in the region in terms of water resources and geotechnical.
The graphs obtained (Figure 04), of the different parameters, namely climate factor (P & T), the
hydrological factor (water level H) and finally the anthropogenic pressure (N numbers of inhabitants).
From these graphs, we can easily point out the role of impact factors namely climate and
anthropogenic changes on the level of water resources.
 Vol. 20 [2015], Bund. 8 2111

Evolution de la population de Chéria

Nombre d'habitants

Années

Evolution des précipitations à Chéria

P (mm)

1980

Années

Temps (années)
Profondeurs (m)

P n° 150
P n° 89
P n° 33

Figure 4: Evolution of hydroclimatic and anthropogenic parameters

In terms of identification and prevention, the contribution of geophysics (Fehdi Ch, Baali F;
Boubaya D. 2011) and particularly tomography technique allows better visualization of the structure;
this Technique can also locate the area at risk (figure 05).
 Vol. 20 [2015], Bund. 8 2112

Figure 5: Profiles resistivity tomography

ENVIRONMENTAL UPHEAVALS
The two factors mentioned above have resulted in upheavals in the structure of land that have
materialized by collapse phenomena in the region (Figure 03). These structures (02) are called dolines
(sinkholes) of sub circular shape and with diameters up to over 20 meters and a depth of more than
four meters.
These are ancient cavity, that continue to evolve as a result of the dissolution of groundwater and
who develop a increased vulnerability to instability and collapse (Rybakov M; Rotstein Y 2005)

URBAN IMPACT
The phenomenon appeared became a real concern when these collapses have developed in a
direction of the urban area. From the perspective of interaction society / nature, we emphasized that
these upheavals are a real for safety and urban development (BENSAOULA F 2008) indeed
degradation of urban structures (roads and housing) appeared shortly after the first collapse (Figure
03).
Although their dimensions are relatively small, the collapses of the urban area have the
disadvantage of being more detrimental for human and material impact. Also with time these
sinkholes can be an area of vulnerability to pollution to groundwater (loss of area). ). Sometimes they
are used as dumping sites.
 Vol. 20 [2015], Bund. 8 2113

INTERPRETATION
The management of this phenomenon cannot be made only by understanding and identifying the
different factors involved. In this sense we have undertaken an approach based on a work of
investigation and data collection, we have analyzed and correlated after. It shows that:
- Climate factor, namely the large rainfall deficit over the observation period has not only
promoted the gradual decrease in the level of the resource, but also accentuated by ripple effect of the
impact of the second factor has namely the anthropogenic one.
- The anthropic element is characterized by over-exploitation of groundwater resources. This
overexploitation is marked by an increase in drilling and caused by a significant rainfall deficit. The
impact of the latter factor has only accelerated the phenomenon of decreased level of groundwater.
Rock cavities of the structure of the aquifer from the karst dissolution found themselves
completely emptied, due to the significant decrease of the level, (JEANNIN Pierre-Yves (1996),
(KAUFMANN. O. 2000) this has contributed to promote their vulnerability and cause due to the
weight of overlying land a collapse phenomenon (RAYMOND M. et F. VAN DIJCK 1999). In urban
areas, the weight of constructions has aggravated this.
The observed collapses are of two types, the first is assigned a withdrawal phenomenon which
resulted the Plio-Quaternary ground, by a crack in the limestone formation, in this case, unclogging
and evacuation of particles toward the cavity by kinetic effect accelerates the process.
The second type is caused by a shearing effect of the slab limestone by loss of lateral resistance
(KAUFMANN. O 2000). The vault whose instability can be fostered by the presence of diaclase
accentuates the loss of strength.

CONCLUSION
The combination of the effects of rainfall deficit and human pressure on the resources of this
aquifer has had an accentuated and relatively rapid decrease effect on the water table. Work of
osculation and prospecting of the land is essential to locate places in existing underground cavities.
The results of this survey should be taken into account in development projects and urban
development (BANO.M 2000). For this, some interesting methods of geophysics such as micro
gravity or tomography would locate areas at risk and realize the mapping of these areas in the
projects.
From a water perspective, these sinkholes may constitute artificial recharge areas of the aquifer
during flood periods, with of course the delimitation of a protection perimeter.

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