Applied Geochemistry 113 (2020) 104492

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Applied Geochemistry
journal homepage: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/apgeochem

Geothermometry and geochemistry of groundwater in the Continental

Intercalaire aquifer, southeastern Algeria: Insights from cations, silica and
SO4–H2O isotope geothermometers
Adel Abdelali a, *, Imed Eddine Nezli a, Rabah Kechiched b, Said Attalah c,
Slimane Abdeldjabbar Benhamida a, d, Zhonghe Pang e
a
Laboratoire de G�eologie du Sahara, Universit�e Kasdi Merbah Ouargla, 30000, Algeria
b
Laboratoire des R�eservoirs Souterrains: P�etroliers, Gaziers et Aquif�eres, Universit�e Kasdi Merbah Ouargla, 30000, Algeria
c
School of Plant Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
d
Agence Nationale des Ressources Hydriques (ANRH), Direction Sud-Ouargla, 30000, Algeria
e
Institute of Geology & Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No. 19 Beitucheng West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, PR China

A R T I C L E I N F O A B S T R A C T

Editorial handling by H. Armannsson Characterization of geochemistry and geothermometry of the groundwater from the Continental Intercalaire (CI)
aquifer, one of the largest aquifers in the world, stretching over one million km2 surface area shared between
Keywords: Algeria, Tunisia and Libya, was conducted in southeastern Algeria nearby the border with Tunisia. Thirty-two
Continental intercalaire water samples were collected from boreholes to analyze the physicochemical parameters and stable isotopes
Isotope geochemistry
(δ18O(H2O), δ18O(SO4), δ 34S(SO4)) and determine the origin of water mineralization of the CI aquifer. Water
Geothermometry
temperature was assessed using several geothermometers, such as cations, silica and SO4–H2O stable isotopes.
Geothermal systems
Isotope geothermometry The CI aquifer displayed a discharge temperature varying from 45 to 65.1 � C due to water circulation at deeper
Mineral equilibrium depths ranging from 1000 to 2200 m. The Results show that CI water contains high total dissolved solids (TDS)
and neutral to slightly alkaline pH. The most frequent water types were Na–Cl–SO4 and Ca–SO4 indicating the
geological formation nature of CI aquifer which is mainly composed of evaporites. The application of Na–K and
Na–K–Ca geothermometers yielded unreliable temperatures. However, Na–Li geothermometer resulted in rela­
tively plausible temperatures ranging from 74.69 to 147.83 � C. Quartz and CaSO4–H2O isotope geothermometer
are the most suitable methods for temperature estimation, due to their attainment of equilibrium resulting in
temperatures ranging from 62 to 93 � C, and validation by the multiple mineral equilibrium approach. The
present study demonstrated a successful application of CaSO4–H2O isotope geothermometer in a low enthalpy
(<100 � C) geothermal system. The results corroborate previous findings on the same CI aquifer at the Tunisian
side and on carbonate-evaporite geothermal reservoirs. Furthermore, geothermal potential of the CI aquifer has
been highlighted suggesting its use as a source of renewable energy which could be applied in heating green­
houses and/or generating electricity.

1. Introduction
Geothermal sources are considered as a renewable energy potential
which originated from heat inside the earth globe. This energy is usually
linked to several geological formations that contain water resources
either with their geothermal gradient at high depth or with their
occurrence nearby heat sources such as magma. In ancient times, the use
of geothermal springs was mostly limited to bathing, whereas in modern
times geothermal energy has become a valuable source for industry and
agriculture. The application of geothermal energy differs depending on
the reservoir temperature. For instance, a geothermal reservoir with a
temperature of 80 � C could generate electricity, while with a tempera­
ture of 30 � C, it would rather be useful for heating greenhouses,
warming soil, or improving fish farming (Lindal, 1973).
Deep aquifers may also represent a considerable source of
geothermal energy such as many underground aquifers in Algeria.

* Corresponding author.
E-mail addresses: adelabdelali5@gmail.com (A. Abdelali), imedinezli@yahoo.fr (I.E. Nezli), rabeh21@yahoo.fr (R. Kechiched), sattalah@email.arizona.edu
(S. Attalah), slimbenha@gmail.com (S.A. Benhamida), z.pang@mail.iggcas.ac.cn (Z. Pang).

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2019.104492
Received 5 April 2019; Received in revised form 7 December 2019; Accepted 9 December 2019
Available online 12 December 2019
0883-2927/© 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
A. Abdelali et al.
Occurrence of thermal water from aquifers in northeastern Sahara in
Algeria, particularly in Ouargla and Touggourt areas, was formerly re­
ported (Saibi, 2009; Chaib and Kherici, 2014). This thermal water is
used for bathing, heating greenhouses and domestic usage purposes.
Recently, a fish farming project has been successfully implemented
using thermal water from The Albian CI aquifer in Ouargla, Algeria
(Saibi, 2009). Although hydrogeological and hydrochemical aspects of
the Albian CI aquifer, which is recognized as one of the largest aquifers
in the world, has been largely studied (Guendouz and Michelot, 2006;
Chkir et al., 2009; Moulla et al., 2012; Petersen et al., 2013, 2018;
Petersen, 2014; Gonçalv�es et al., 2015; Slimani et al., 2017), more de­
tails on the geothermal characterization need to be investigated, espe­
cially at a regional scale including several locations in the northeastern
Sahara of Algeria. A natural extension of the CI aquifer within
Algeria-Tunisia southern border has been considered as a geothermal
reservoir (Ben Dhia and Meddeb, 1990; Kamel, 2012; Makni et al.,
2013).
The CI aquifer where the present study was conducted is enclosed in
a stable, non volcanic area with a typical geothermal gradient of 2–3 � C/
100m (Takherist and Lesquer, 1989) and a depth ranging from 1000 to
2200 m (Edmunds et al., 2003), thus making it a focus of attention as a
geothermal reservoir.
Assessment of the subsurface temperature is usually challenging
because of limitations in direct measurement methods. For instance,
bottom hole surveys provide accurate results, however; this direct
method is highly costly due to the drilling requirements. Thus, alter­
native indirect methods such as geochemistry are used. These economic
alternatives use geothermometers that have been developed for the
main purpose of estimating reservoir temperatures using water chemical
or isotope composition (D’Amore and Arno �rsson, 2000). These tech­
niques are commonly applied to volcanic geothermal systems under
various conditions (Fournier, 1977), whereas with low temperature and
non-volcanic systems more caution is required (Kharaka and Mariner,
1989). Although geothermometry of carbonate-evaporite geothermal
reservoirs has been extensively studied (Kharaka and Mariner, 1989;
Ben Dhia and Meddeb, 1990; Lo �pez-Chicano et al., 2001; Mohammadi
et al., 2010; Makni et al., 2013; Wang et al., 2015; Pasvanog �lu, 2015;
Belhai et al., 2016; Yang et al., 2017; Blasco et al., 2017, 2018), geo­
thermometers are neither designed for nor applied to such environment
due to erroneous results they might provide. A previous study on the CI
aquifer in Ouargla, southern Algeria, using some geothermometry
compounds such as Na–K, Na–K–Ca and K–Mg (Abdelali et al., 2017)
showed promising results, especially with K–Mg geothermometer.
The goal of the present study was to highlight the importance of
geothermometry and geochemistry application to the CI aquifer using
several geothermometers to cover a larger study area southern Algeria
including Touggourt, Djama ^a, Meghaier and El Oued. Moreover,
recently drilled wells in CI aquifer that had not been studied previously
(Edmunds et al., 2003) have been herein included. The first objective
was to conduct a geochemical study to identify the chemistry and the
origin of water mineralization, thus the type of water that CI aquifer
encloses. The second objective was to apply geothermometry to assess
the CI reservoir temperatures based on chemical and isotope geo­
thermometers including δ18O (SO4–H2O) isotope, and mineral satura­
tion index.
2. Geological and hydrogeological context
The North Western Sahara Aquifer System (NWSAS) is one of the
largest aquifer systems in the world with more than one million km2
surface area (UNESCO, 1972) stretching over large areas of three
countries: Algeria, Tunisia and Libya. In addition to the quaternary
water table, which fluctuates approximately at 2 m depth from the soil
surface, the NWSAS includes two overlaying large aquifers referred to as
1) the Complex Terminal (CT) aquifer; and 2) the Continental Interca­
laire (CI) aquifer, respectively from the soil surface to the bottom of the
2
Applied Geochemistry 113 (2020) 104492
aquifer system.
The CT aquifer is a confined reservoir composed of several layers
from the upper Senonian to Miocene, which can be captured at a depth
ranging from 100 to 600 m from the soil surface (Bel and Cuche, 1969;
UNESCO, 1972). The structure of the CT aquifer is characterized by two
geological units: 1) Senonian at the bottom with mainly limestone, and
2) Miopliocene at the top with sands, clays and sandstones. These two
geological units are separated by an impermeable layer of marl and clays
from the Eocene epoch. According to a previous piezometric map
(UNESCO, 1972; OSS, 2003), the main flow lines in the CT aquifer begin
at the recharge areas in the south of Tinrhert basin, southern Algeria,
and end at the north eastern discharge of Chott Merouane, Chott Melghir
and Chott Djerid in Tunisia.
The CI aquifer, which is the main focus of the present study, lies
under the CT aquifer in a confined reservoir containing lower cretaceous
geological formations dating back to Neocomian, Barremian, Aptian and
Albian epochs (Cornet, 1964; Busson, 1972; Bishop, 1975; Fabre, 1976).
The CI aquifer extends from the Saharan Atlas in the north to the Tassili
mountains in the south, and from the Guir-Saoura valley in the west to
the Libyan Desert in the east (Cornet, 1964; Busson, 1972; Fabre, 1976;
Edmunds et al., 2003; Ould Baba Sy, 2005; Guendouz, 1985). It has been
suggested that the CI aquifer contains two distinct sub-basins separated
by the M’zab dorsal: 1) the Grand Erg Oriental and 2) the Grand Erg
Occidental (Cornet, 1964; UNESCO, 1972; Bishop, 1975; Guendouz,
1985). A homogeneous layer of Cenomanian clays and evaporites
overlies the oriental basin of the CI aquifer along the area where the
present study was conducted, displaying a large variability in terms of
lithology, thickness, and depth due to its wide geographic extension. The
CI aquifer is mainly composed of sediments from the Mesozoic era, with
a depth varying considerably from South to North exceeding 2000 m in
Chott Melghir and Chott Djerid, in Tunisia. The flow lines converge from
the Saharan Atlas, the M’zab dorsal and the Dahar region in Tunisia
towards the discharge areas in Chott Djerid, Chott Fedjedj and Gulf of
Gabes (UNESCO, 1972).
Apparently, there is a significant lack of tectonic deformations in the
studied area (Edmunds et al., 2003) except in the southern zones where
an intense faulting such as Amguid and Elhamma faults, and tectonic
activity might occur. A previous study in the same area reported some
modifications in lithology, piezometry and water chemical composition
(Edmunds et al., 1997).
A geological characterization has been conducted locally based on
the available data from the studied wells. Lithological logs were oriented
SSW-NNE from Ouargla to Meghaier to track the evolution of lithologies
and the thickness of aquifers (Figs. 1 and 2). Logs show similar lithol­
ogies over the entire studied area, whereas the thickness and depth vary
significantly. The thickness increases towards NNE direction in both CT
and CI aquifers. For instance, the Senonian-Eocene reservoir in the CT
aquifer displays a thickness of 215 m at HDB(26) in the south western
part then increases to 770 m at Ain sebbala (22) in the north eastern part
(Fig. 2). The wells drilled in CI aquifer reach different geological for­
mations depending on each drilling location. For instance, in Ouargla, CI
groundwater is withdrawn from sandstones that contain clayey material
dating back to Albian epoch, whereas in the northeastern area the li­
thology of the CI aquifer shows mainly a Barremian formation. More­
over, the depth of the wells varies from one location to another with the
deepest point of 1900 m reaching the top of CI aquifer at Ain Sebbala
(22) (Fig. 2).
Illustrated correlation between the studied wells in the direction
SSW-NNE (Fig. 2) shows a variation in lithology with respect to the
increasing depth towards the northeast direction where detrital sedi­
ments are separated by impermeable substratum of clays and anhydrite.
The impermeable layer overlying CI bed contains Cenomanian com­
posites including clays (in Ouragla area), limestone, dolomite and
anhydrite (in Temacine area) with a significant thickness ranging from
200 to 250 m which separates the CI aquifer from the CT aquifer (i.e.,
Senonian-Eocene formation). Lithology of sandstones and sandy clays in
A. Abdelali et al.
Fig. 1. Geological map of the studied area, modified after Busson (1972) including the locations of sampling wells denoted by red spots, numbers from 1 to 14; 16 to
30, and letters M3, G2 and Kh1. (For interpretation of the references to colour in this figure legend, the reader is referred to the Web version of this article.)
the CI aquifer showed composites from Albian, Aptian and Barremian
formations which are located deeper than 1000 m in the lower beds. The
Albian and Barremian, which are separated by a thin layer ranging from
10 to 30 m of Aptian dolomite, contain mostly clastic formations of
sands, sandstones and clays with infrequent limestone and marl which
are rather abundant in the Varaconian formation in the extreme
northern side of the aquifer (Fabre, 1976).
3. Materials and methods
3.1. Analytical techniques
From January 25th to February 14th, 2017, thirty-two water samples
were collected from wells drilled in CI aquifer at different locations
denoted as follows: Ouargla (23, 24, 25, 26, Kh1, G2 and M3), Toug­
gourt (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11), Djam^
aa (12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18),
Meghaier (19, 20, 21, 22) and El Oued (27, 28, 29, 30). Chemical
characterization of the water samples was performed considering pre­
viously established standards (Rodier, 2016). Some physico-chemical
parameters such as pH, Temperature and Electrical conductivity (EC)
were measured in the field using a Multi-parameter device (HQ40D,
3
Applied Geochemistry 113 (2020) 104492
HACH). Sodium (Naþ), potassium (Kþ) and lithium (Liþ) concentrations
were measured with a flame spectrophotometer (PFP 7, JENWAY) in the
laboratory of Sahara Geology at the University of Ouargla, Algeria.
Sulfate (SO24 ), chlorides (Cl ), nitrates (NO3 ) and silicon (Si) were
measured using a spectrophotometer device (DR2000, HACH). Bi­
carbonates (HCO3 ) were determined by titration. Magnesium (Mg2þ)
and calcium (Ca2þ) were determined by complexometric titration using
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) protocol (Mg2þ ¼ TH-Ca2þ) in
the laboratory of National Agency of Hydraulic Resources (ANRH) in
Adrar, Algeria. The percentage ion-balance of the studied samples was
calculated by PHREEQC v.3 software (Parkhurst and Appelo, 2013)
following previously described standard methods (Clesceri et al., 1999).
All samples displayed more or less than 5% charge imbalances indi­
cating their reliability, except Kh1 sample which showed more or less
than 6%. Additionally, Sixteen water samples (2, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18,
19, 22, 23, 24, 26, G2, Kh1, M3) were collected from the study area on
February 2018 to conduct the analysis of lithium (Liþ), silicon (Si) and
aluminum (Al3þ) using ICP-MS instrument (Agilent 7700, ICP-MS) in
ALEC laboratory of the University of Arizona, USA, and the analysis of
isotopic ratios of δ18O(H2O), δ18O(SO4), δ34S(SO4), in the environmental
isotope laboratory at the University of Arizona, USA. The isotope
A. Abdelali et al.
Fig. 2. SSW-NNE stratigraphic correlation between the studied locations based on drilling data. (1): sandy shale; (2): limestone, Dolomite, marl and anhydrite; (3):
limestone, dolomite and marl; (4): anhydrite, massive salt at the bottom; (5): marly limestone and dolomite; (6): dolomitic limestone, limestone, shale and anhydrite;
(7): calcareous marl and dolomite; (8): argillaceous sandstone; (9): dolomite and limestone; (10): argillaceous sandstone. Depth in meters (m).
δ18O(H2O) was measured with a gas-source isotope ratio mass spec­
trometer (Finnigan Delta S), then compared to V-SMOW (Vienna Stan­
dard Mean Ocean Water) standard (Hoefs, 2018). Samples were
equilibrated with CO2 gas in an automated equilibration device coupled
to the mass spectrometer. The analysis of isotopes δ18O(SO4) and
δ34S(SO4) was performed by precipitation of dissolved sulfate as BaSO4
powder by adding a BaCl2 solution (Giggenbach and Goguel, 1989) then
converted to CO and SO2 gas, respectively, to conduct the mass spec­
trometry measurements. The isotope δ18O(SO4) was measured on CO gas
in a continuous-flow gas-ratio mass spectrometer (Thermo Electron
Delta V), coupled to a thermal combustion elemental analyzer (Ther­
moQuest Finnigan). The isotope δ34S(SO4) was measured on SO2 gas in a
continuous-flow gas-ratio mass spectrometer (ThermoQuest Finnigan
Delta PlusXL), coupled to an elemental analyzer (Costech). Dissolved
sulfate isotope composition units were expressed in V-SMOW for
δ18O(SO4) and in V-CDT (Vienna Canyon Diablo Troilite; Hoefs, 2018) for
δ34S(SO4). Dissolved sulfate isotopes (δ34S(SO4) and δ18O(SO4)) were
analyzed using previously established standards (Rees, 1984; Morrison
et al., 1996; Morrison, 1997), and δ18O(H2O) was analyzed as described
previously (Begley and Scrimgeour, 1997; Wassenaar and Koehler,
1999). The level of precision of each analysis was as follows: � 0.08‰
for δ18O(H2O), �0.3‰ or better (1s) for δ18O(SO4) and �0.15‰ or better
(1s) for δ34S(SO4), based on repeated internal standards.
3.2. Geothermometrical approach
The temperature of CI aquifer was calculated using geothermometers
with chemical or isotope composition (i.e., solute geothermometers;
D’Amore and Arn� orsson, 2000) considering specific geothermometry
conditions as described previously (Fournier, 1977):
4
Applied Geochemistry 113 (2020) 104492
(1) Water-rock equilibrium, a temperature dependent reaction which
happens deep in the aquifer.
(2) Required minerals for the reaction to happen should be a part of
the aquifer.
(3) Any chemical/isotopic composition change in the water during
the ascension process indicates a shallower equilibrium or a
smaller water-rock interaction. Thus, geochemical processes such
as base exchanges, precipitation, dissolution, and mixing with
shallow aquifers are not allowed.
Relevant references for calibration of the selected geothermometers
in the present study are presented in Table 2S (Supplementary Material).
3.3. Multiple mineral equilibrium approach
The multiple mineral equilibrium helps to pinpoint the equilibrium
temperature at the saturation index (SI ¼ 0) where most minerals
intersect (Reed and Spycher, 1984). Modeling of saturation index at
different temperatures was first suggested by Reed and Spycher (1984),
then adopted by several authors (Park et al., 2006; Belhai et al., 2016) to
compare reservoir temperatures with discharge temperatures. Besides
modelling saturation index, various geothermometers were used to
compare between reservoir and discharge temperatures (Park et al.,
2006; Belhai et al., 2016).
It is crucial to understand the variation level of SI and its effect on the
states of water when dealing with dissolution and precipitation pro­
cesses. Water equilibrium (between dissolution and precipitation) is
reached when SI ¼ 0. When SI < 0 water becomes undersaturated and
causes dissolution, whereas when SI > 0 water is oversaturated and
leads to mineral precipitation. To calculate SI at different temperatures,
A. Abdelali et al.
PHREEQC version 3 software (Parkhurst and Appelo, 2013) including
carbfix database (Voigt et al., 2018), was used in the present study.
3.3.1. FixAl method
The CO2 add-back and FixAl methods (Pang and Reed, 1998;
Palandri and Reed, 2001) were adopted in the present study. Laboratory
pH was considered because HCO3 was analyzed in the laboratory
(Pang and Reed, 1998). pH was decreased by increasing both Hþ and
HCO3 until SI (quartz, chalcedony, calcite) reached equilibrium (SI ¼ 0)
based on the following reaction: HCO3 þ Hþ ¼ CO2 (gas) þ H2O
The decrease of pH and addition of HCO3 were performed by trial
and error until SI ¼ 0 for quartz, chalcedony, and calcite. Quartz and
chalcedony were considered because they are not affected by CO2 loss.
For a set of minerals that is close to equilibrium with water,
aluminum concentration is supposed unknown. The FixAl approach
consists in forcing an aluminum silicate mineral (i.e., kaolinite or
muscovite in the present study) in equilibrium with other minerals from
the assemblage, providing an aluminum concentration for different
temperatures. The fixed mineral has its SI ¼ 0, resulting in a different log
(Q/K) graph (after FixAL and CO2 add-back process).
4. Results
4.1. Hydrochemistry properties
The physicochemical analysis of the water samples (n ¼ 32) is re­
ported in Table 1S (Supplementary Material). The physical properties
showed neutral to slightly alkaline pH ranging from 6.74 to 8.35
(average ¼ 7.21, σ ¼ 0.37), electrical conductivity (EC) varies from 1900
to 3830 μs/cm (average of 2806 μs/cm, σ ¼ 0.36 μs/cm), high discharge
temperatures varying from 44.4 to 65.1 � C (average ¼ 56.59 � C, σ ¼
4.38 � C) with an increasing trend towards the NNE direction reaching
65.1 � C in the wells of Meghaier area, and high mineralization repre­
sented by total dissolved solids (TDS) ranging from 1170 to 2309 mg/l
(average ¼ 1544.25 mg/l, σ ¼ 204.56 mg/l). Chloride concentration
ranged from 9.01 to 18.31 meq/l (average ¼ 11.40 meq/l, σ ¼ 1.87
meq/l). Sulfates level ranged from 8.33 to 15.20 meq/l (average ¼ 12.07
meq/l, σ ¼ 1.79 meq/l) typifying the main anion composition, while
sodium and calcium dominated the cation composition with concen­
trations ranging from 8.69 to 13.91 meq/l (average ¼ 10.92 meq/l, σ ¼
1.25 meq/l) and 4.00–10.82 meq/l (average ¼ 6.22 meq/l, σ ¼ 2.13
meq/l, n ¼ 32), respectively. However, magnesium, bicarbonates, and
nitrates showed trivial concentrations ranging respectively as follows:
0.82–12.82 meq/l (average ¼ 7.38 meq/l, σ ¼ 2.02 meq/l); 1.49–3.25
meq/l (average ¼ 2.07 meq/l, σ ¼ 0.35 meq/l); and 0–0.74 meq/l
(average ¼ 0.14 meq/l, σ ¼ 0.19 meq/l). Potassium concentrations,
which ranged from 0.51 to 1.28 meq/l (average ¼ 0.69 meq/l, σ ¼ 0.21
meq/l), were relatively high compared to the norms of natural water
(Edmunds et al., 2003). High Silica (SiO2) concentrations, varying from
19.47 to 39.38 mg/l (average ¼ 28.52 mg/l, σ ¼ 5.12 mg/l), were found
in all water samples. Silica showed an increasing tendency towards the
SSW- NNE direction with a minimum of 19.47 mg/l in Ouargla area and
a maximum of 39.38 mg/l in Meghaier. Thus, SiO2 may not be consid­
ered as trace element in the sampled wells. Several trace elements were
detected such as, Lithium with concentrations going from 0.07 to 0.23
mg/l (average ¼ 0.13 mg/l, σ ¼ 0.04 mg/l), and Aluminum with con­
centrations ranging from 0.7 to 3.20 μg/l (average ¼ 1.73 μg/l, σ ¼ 0.73
μg/l).
Overall, the results indicate that the chemical composition of the
sampled wells exceeds the WHO standards for drinking water (WHO,
2017). The quality of the sampled water in the present study falls into
two categories: Na–Cl–SO4 and Ca–SO4 types in accordance with pre­
vious findings (Piper diagram in Nezli, 2009, and Abdelali et al., 2017).
Diagrams confirming types of water are reported further below
(Figs. 3–5).
5
Applied Geochemistry 113 (2020) 104492
4.2. Isotope composition
The isotopic composition of 18O (H2O and SO4) and δ34S(SO4) of the
sixteen additional water samples (n ¼ 16) is reported in Table 1S
(Supplementary Material). The ratios of 18O(H2O) varied from 8.8 in
Ouargla area to 7.5‰ in Meghaier (average ¼ 8.22‰, σ ¼ 0.38‰)
showing a slight positive shift towards the SSW-NNE direction. The 18O
(SO4) ratios were clustered within a range of 11.9–13.3‰ (average ¼
12.64‰, σ ¼ 0.43‰) within the entire studied area. The ratios of
δ34
S(SO4) did not display significant spatial variability with values ranged
from 13.9 to 15.3‰ (average ¼ 14.65 ‰, σ ¼ 0.36 ‰).
4.3. Geothermometry properties
4.3.1. Chemical geothermometers
The cation and silica geothermometers which were used to assess the
temperature of the collected water samples resulted in substantial
temperature variations (Table 2S; Supplementary Material). A wide
range of unsteady temperatures was displayed using cation geo­
thermometers with different methods: 1) Na–K geothermometer
(Arno �rsson et al., 1983) provided temperatures varying from 165.64 to
295.46 � C (average ¼ 201.90 � C, σ ¼ 38.97 � C, n ¼ 32); 2) Na–K–Ca
geothermometer (Benjamin et al., 1983) resulted in temperatures
ranging from 48.10 to 60.34 � C (average ¼ 56.40 � C, σ ¼ 3.54 � C, n ¼
32); and 3) Na–Li geothermometer (Sanjuan et al., 2014) produced
temperatures extending from 74.69 to 147.83 � C (average ¼ 107.74 � C,
σ ¼ 18.38 � C, n ¼ 25). Silica geothermometers yielded different tem­
peratures depending on mineral phases as follows: 1) Quartz no steam
loss, Quartz max steam loss, and Chalcedony (Fournier, 1977) displayed
temperatures ranging from 62.45 to 91.00 � C (average ¼ 76.82 � C, σ ¼
7.57 � C, n ¼ 32), 68.07–93.18 � C (average ¼ 80.76 � C, σ ¼ 6.66 � C, n ¼
32), and 30.33–60.33 � C (average ¼ 45.36 � C, σ ¼ 7.94 � C, n ¼ 32),
respectively; 2) Quartz formula (Verma, 2008) generated temperatures
varying from 53.51 to 85.18 � C (average ¼ 69.38 � C, σ ¼ 8.39 � C, n ¼
32); and 3) Amorphous Silica (Fournier, 1977) which did not provide
any significant result.
4.3.2. Isotope geothermometers
Calibration of SO4–H2O geothermometer was performed for isotope
geothermometry with the sixteen additional water samples (n ¼ 16).
The HSO4–H2O Geothermometer (Seal et al., 2000) provided tempera­
tures ranging from 73.70 to 79.84 � C (average ¼ 76.73 � C, σ ¼ 1.56 � C),
and CaSO4–H2O geothermometer (Boschetti, 2013) produced tempera­
tures varying from 83.80 to 90.40 � C (average ¼ 87.06 � C, σ ¼ 1.67 � C).
The calibration of SO4–H2O as previously described (Zeebe, 2010) dis­
played temperatures ranging from 32.23 to 37.21 � C (average ¼ 34.75
�
C, σ ¼ 1.3 � C; Table 2S; Supplementary Material).
Fig. 3. Langelier-Ludwig diagram showing the position of the collected water
samples, with (Na þ K)¼(Σr Na þ K/Σr cations) � 50 and (HCO3) ¼ rHCO3/Σr
anions) � 50. (Ca þ Mg) and (SO4þCl) are complementary values that are
not calculated.
A. Abdelali et al.
Fig. 4. Ternary diagrams after Spencer (2000) and Boschetti et al. (2013)
showing the origin of sulfate in CI waters. (a): Mg–SO4–HCO3 and (b):
Na–SO4–HCO3 (units are in meq/l). Crosses represent the chemical composition
of minerals: bold lines are the divisions between brine types, and dashed lines
represent mixing trends. Chemical composition of Sulfate minerals is inserted as
follows: Epsomite: MgSO4 7H2O; Kainite: KClMgSO4 3H2O; Kieserite: MgSO4
H2O; Hexahydrite: MgSO4 6H2O; Bloedite: Na2SO4MgSO4 4H2O; Glauberite:
Na2SO4CaSO4; Polyhalite: K2SO4MgSO4 2CaSO4 2H2O; Loweite: 6Na2SO4
7MgSO4 4H2O; Thenardite: Na2SO4; Mirabilite: Na2SO4 10H2O; Aphtitalite
(Glaserite): K2.25Na1.75(SO4)2; Eugsterite: Na4Ca(SO4)3 2H2O; Hanksite:
9Na2SO4 2NaCO3 KCl; Burkeite: 2Na2SO4Na2CO3; Gypsum: CaSO4 2H2O; and
Anhydrite: CaSO4.
4.3.3. Saturation index
The saturation index (SI) at discharge temperatures showed calcite at
oversaturated or near equilibrium state, whereas other minerals (i.e.,
albite, k-feldspar, anhydrite, gypsum, chalcedony, amorphous silica and
CO2 pressure) were undersaturated with negative values, except for
Quartz which was near equilibrium (SI ¼ 0; Table 3S; Supplementary
Material). To meet typical requirements of a water reservoir, SI was
calculated at different temperatures and graphically illustrated (Fig. 8).
Mineral equilibrium at typical reservoir conditions is useful to analyze
some geothermometrical methods and determine the temperature at
equilibrium.
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Applied Geochemistry 113 (2020) 104492
5. Discussion
5.1. Hydrogeochemical characteristics
The collected water samples may be ranged within carbonate-
evaporite geothermal systems with high sulfate content. These
geothermal systems have been extensively studied (Park et al., 2006;
Goldscheider et al., 2010; Mohammadi et al., 2010; Boschetti, 2013;
Wang et al., 2015; Yang et al., 2017; Blasco et al., 2017, 2018). The high
mineralization of water indicates a long residence time accompanied by
high temperatures as suggested by Edmunds et al. (2003), Petersen
(2014) and Petersen et al. (2018). The results revealed that the water
mineralization was mainly caused by the leaching process of the hosting
geological formation. The water type of the collected samples is shown
in Langelier-Ludwig diagram with Na–Cl–SO4 composition (Fig. 3). In
accordance with previous findings (Nezli, 2009; Abdelali et al., 2017),
the data are scattered within Na-(Cl þ SO4) and Ca-(Cl þ SO4) sets.
Moreover, the diagram shows that 8 samples (14, kh1, G2, M3, 27, 28,
29, 30) are more enriched in Ca, thus their water type is CaSO4 with high
Cl and Na contents. The remaining samples display remarkable
competition between Cl and SO4. The position of these samples in
Langelier-Ludwig diagram indicates that Ca is not derived from HCO3
suggesting gypsum or anhydrite as their origin, since they are abundant
in the investigated wells.
Sodium (Na) is the main cation in the water samples with Na–SO4
composition (Fig. 4). SO4 concentration is twofold greater than Ca,
suggesting the occurrence of non-evaporite sulfate minerals (Edmunds
et al., 2003). Plotted data in Ternary diagrams (Spencer, 2000; and
Boschetti et al., 2013) show that 30–45% of sulfate in the collected
samples originated from MgSO4 minerals, such as bloedite, epsomite,
kainite, kieserite and hexahydrite, whereas 55–70% derived from
evaporite minerals, except for sample 13 of which sulfate emanated
from gypsum dissolution (Fig. 4a). Only few samples are close to the
bloedite mineral (Fig. 4b). Thenardite, mirabilite and hanksite are the
main sources of water mineralization with 50% of NaSO4 and 50% of
CaSO4. Note that both diagrams exhibit a non-significant contribution of
HCO3 compared to sulfate (Mg–SO4 and Na–SO4) origins. Furthermore,
it has been suggested that the oxidation of pyrite (FeS2) and hydrogen
sulfide (H2S), in similar geothermal systems with sulfate predominance,
might be the sources of sulfate (Wang et al., 2015; Park et al., 2006;
Mohammadi et al., 2010). The water samples contained some H2S which
could be detected based on its distinctive smell.
5.2. Isotope geochemistry
Isotopes are widely used in geochemical investigations such as the
identification of Sulfur origin. In the present study, isotopes δ34S(SO4)
and δ18O(SO4) of CI waters were compared to their respective typical
ranges in terrestrial materials (Fig. 5a and b). This approach has been
largely adopted (Liu et al., 2017; Laouar et al., 2002, 2018). The
comparative diagram (Fig. 5) shows δ34S(SO4) ratio ranging from 10 to
20‰ which indicates a sedimentary origin of Sulfur and removes any
other origin from igneous rocks. The ratio of δ18O(SO4) reflects enrich­
ment in heavy isotope while it indicates the origin of the sedimentary
rocks (δ18O(SO4)> 8‰; Fig. 5b) as compared to previous data of sedi­
mentary and metasedimentary rocks (Taylor and Sheppard, 1986). The
enrichment of δ18O(SO4) could be explained by the exchange between
δ18O(SO4) and δ18O (H2O) at low temperature (Chiba et al., 1998).
The isotopic data from the collected water samples were also used to
perform cross plot diagrams and investigate the origin and geochemical
evolution of sulfate (Fig. 6). The suggested diagrams are a) δ34S(SO4)
versus δ18O(SO4), and b) Sulfate isotope δ34S(SO4) versus total concentra­
tion of SO4. The isotopes δ34S(SO4) and δ18O(SO4) of seawater (δ34S(SO4) ¼
20‰ V-CDT and δ18O(SO4) ¼ 9.5‰ V-SMOW; data after Longinelli, 1989)
were included in the diagram of δ34S(SO4) versus δ18O (SO4) for compar­
ison purpose. These diagrams were used in literature to identify the
A. Abdelali et al.
Fig. 6. (a) Cross plot of δ34S(SO4) versus δ18O(SO4). SW ¼ seawater composition (data after Longinelli, 1989). (b) Cross plot of Sulfur isotope δ34S versus total con­
centration of SO4.
origin of seawater or sulfur which is produced by the oxidation of sulfide
minerals (Chiba et al., 1998; Dotsika, 2012, 2015; Awaleh et al., 2015a,
b; Fu et al., 2018). Data from the collected samples were plotted within
the domain of isotopic composition of sedimentary sulfides (Coleman,
1977) and sulfate minerals, such as anhydrite or gypsum (Thode and
Monster, 1965; Awaleh et al., 2015a; Laouar et al., 2018).
7
Applied Geochemistry 113 (2020) 104492
Fig. 5. (a) Sulfur isotopic composition of CI waters
compared to its typical range in natural materials
(Data after Thode and Monster, 1965; Coleman,
1977; 1979; Claypool et al., 1980; Ishihara and
Sasaki, 1979; 1989; Kyser, 1986; Longinelli, 1989;
Laouar et al., 1990; 2018; Awaleh et al., 2015a) (b)
Oxygen isotopic composition of CI waters compared
to its typical range in terrestrial materials (Data after
Craig, 1961; Panichi and Gonfiantini, 1977; Ohmoto,
1986; Taylor and Sheppard, 1986; Giggenbach,
1992).
The results show depleted sulfate values in heavy isotope compared
to seawater. Based on the depletion of δ34S(SO4) and increase of sulfate in
the sampled water, the origin of Sulfur might be related to the oxidation
of sulfide minerals, in agreement with a previous study (Dotsika, 2012).
However, in the present study there is no correlation (R2 ¼ 0.09) be­
tween SO4 total concentration and δ34S (Fig. 6b), suggesting that the
A. Abdelali et al.
Fig. 7. Na–K–Mg triangular Giggenbach diagram (Giggenbach, 1988) including
water samples from the present study.
oxidation hypothesis is not plausible.
Furthermore, δ34S(SO4) ratios in the present study and previous ratios
of 87Sr/86Sr (Edmunds et al., 2003) suggest anhydrite and/or gypsum as
local origins. The mean value of δ34S(SO4) (14.65‰) and low ratios of
87
Sr/86Sr (average ¼ 0.70826424) are linked to Cretaceous origin of
evaporite with approximately 120 Ma (Paytan and Gray, 2012). In
contrast, high values of non-isotopic strontium rather confirm the con­
tinental contribution to evaporite occurrence (Edmunds et al., 2003). In
summary, Sulfur in the collected water samples mainly originated from
leaching of gypsum and anhydrite.
5.3. Geothermometry
Because of the wide range of temperatures geothermometry methods
provide, geothermometers should be applied with caution to avoid
overestimation or underestimation of the reservoir temperatures. The
accuracy of geothermometers might be checked by mineral equilibrium
approach. In the present study, a large range of reservoir temperatures
was obtained using several geothermometers (see Table 2S; Supple­
mentary Material).
The Na–K Geothermometer (Arno �rsson et al., 1983) overestimated
the temperatures, although it was calibrated for low temperature res­
ervoirs (25–250 � C). This indicates non-equilibrium conditions between
Albite, K-Feldspar and water. It has been suggested that Na–K geo­
thermometer is not recommended in the case of waters with low tem­
perature, high sodium and calcium contents (D’Amore and Arno �rsson,
2000), as in the case of CI aquifer.
The Na–K–Ca geothermometer (Fournier and Truesdell, 1973;
Benjamin et al., 1983) was proposed to avoid the effect of high calcium
content. The formula of Fournier and Truesdell (1973) assumed equi­
librium between K-feldspar and Albite at high temperature (100 < T <
350 � C). However, Benjamin et al. (1983) excluded any possible equi­
librium between Naþ, Kþ and Ca2þ originating from the alteration of
silicate material. According to D’Amore and Arno �rsson (2000), at low
temperature Naþ, Kþ and Ca2þ emanate from Biotite and K-feldspar
during its mineralogical transformation to Kaolinite, which does not
fulfill the geothermometry conditions (thermodynamic equilibrium).
The application of Na–K–Ca geothermometer to the collected water
samples resulted in underestimated temperatures with lower levels than
discharge temperatures. The results corroborate the assumptions of
D’Amore and Arno �rsson (2000) as discussed above, and agree with
8
Applied Geochemistry 113 (2020) 104492
previous findings (i.e., plotted data of CI waters in the KORJINSKY di­
agram from Nezli (2009) denote the Kaolinite proxy at 50 � C).
The application of Na–K geothermometer on similar waters, such as
carbonate-evaporite geothermal systems, provides overestimated tem­
peratures (Mohammadi et al., 2010; Wang et al., 2015). Besides high
temperatures (T > 150 � C) that Na–K geothermometer generated (see
Table 2S; Supplementary Material), the collected waters are considered
immature (Fig. 7) according to the diagram of Giggenbach (1988),
which is largely used for similar purpose (Pasvanog �lu, 2015; Alçiçek
et al., 2016; Chatterjee et al., 2016; Yang et al., 2017; Blasco et al., 2017,
2018). Considering these two criteria, Na–K geothermometer is not
herein recommended. Furthermore, the collected water samples do not
reach the equilibrium between Na, K, Mg cations, which is mandatory
for an appropriate application of this geothermometer. The concentra­
tion of Na, K, Mg cations in CI waters is controlled by alteration process
rather than equilibrium (Nezli, 2009).
SiO2 geothermometers (Fournier, 1977) generate a large range of
temperatures through several mineralogical phases of SiO2. In the pre­
sent study, Amorphous Silica geothermometer yielded negative and
unreliable results which might be due to low contents of SiO2 varying
from 19.5 to 39.4 mg/l in the water samples which did not reach the
equilibrium at low temperatures (Arno �rsson, 1975). Chalcedony geo­
thermometer underestimates reservoir temperatures, probably due to
lack of equilibrium in chalcedony phase, resulting sometimes in lower
values than discharge temperatures. Acceptable temperatures were ob­
tained with Quartz geothermometers, using previously developed for­
mulas by Fournier (1977) and updated by Verma (2008). The results
from the updated formula (Verma, 2008) were about 6–10 � C lower than
those obtained with the original formula (Fournier, 1977), and even
lower than the discharge temperatures, in some cases. Quartz geo­
thermometers provided an average temperature of 76.6 � C with no
steam loss, and an average of 80.6 � C with maximum steam loss, while
the application of the updated formula (Verma, 2008) resulted in an
average temperature of 69.38 � C. Quartz geothermometers appear to
provide a better estimation of temperature compared to Amorphous
Silica and Chalcedony geothermometers. These reliable estimations can
be used as a proxy for the reservoir temperature indicating quartz
equilibrium. It is worth noting that both SiO2 contents and estimated
temperatures fall into the quartz field in the silica solubility diagram
(Arno �rsson, 1975; Gunnarsson and Arno �rsson, 2000).
The Na–Li geothermometer was used in the present study by
adopting equation (4) from Sanjuan et al. (2014) based on the chlorine
concentration (Cl < 0.3M) which matches the Cl levels in the collected
water samples. The obtained temperatures using Na–Li were over­
estimated but more realistic than the ones obtained using Na–K,
Na–K–Ca, Chalcedony and amorphous silica geothermometers. Reliable
results were also obtained in Tunisia using Na–Li geothermometer to
estimate reservoir temperatures of the CI aquifer (Kamel, 2012). High
lithium concentrations appear to enhance the Na–Li geothermometer.
According to Sanjuan et al. (2014), with Li > 1 ppm reliable tempera­
tures were obtained in separate geothermal fields, namely Djibouti and
Iceland. Moreover, it has been reported that low enthalpy systems with
low salinity and low lithium concentrations (Li < 1 ppm) should not be
assessed with Na–Li geothermometer (D’Amore et al., 1987; and Güleç,
1994).
5.4. Multiple mineral equilibrium approach
Most of the calculated mineral saturation index (SI) at different
temperatures did not converge at zero axis, except for quartz and chal­
cedony (Fig. 8). Calcite and dolomite were supersaturated due to CO2
degassing, while Kaolinite and Muscovite tended to be undersaturated,
which is common in carbonate-evaporite geothermal systems
(Lo
�pez-Chicano et al., 2001; Mohammadi et al., 2010; Kamel, 2012;
Wang et al., 2015). Among the set of minerals (Fig. 8) only quartz and
chalcedony were in equilibrium, displaying the same range of estimated
A. Abdelali et al. Applied Geochemistry 113 (2020) 104492

Fig. 8. Original SI ¼ Log (Q/K) diagram versus temperature using laboratory pH (a, c, e, g; see Table 4S; Supplementary Material). SI ¼ Log (Q/K) diagram for the
same samples after CO2 add-back and FixAl application (b, d, f, h; Table 5S; Supplementary Material). SI was calculated using carbfix database of Voigt et al. (2018).
Water equilibrium with kaolinite and muscovite is shown for theses samples (fixed minerals are not shown because their SI ¼ Log (Q/K) ¼ 0; CO2 add-back means the
number of moles of Hþ (i.e., decreased pH) and HCO3 added to the solution to compensate for the degassed CO2).

temperatures (75–85 � C). This equilibrium condition might be due to
immature waters as shown in the Giggenbach diagram (Fig. 7), or
because water samples were probably affected by CO2 degassing as re­
ported previously (Reed and Spycher, 1984; Pang and Reed, 1998;
L�opez-Chicano et al., 2001), but most likely not due to dilution since SI
curves did not shift towards undersaturation, knowing that equilibrium
is reached at SI ¼ 0 (Pang and Reed, 1998; Palandri and Reed, 2001).
FixAl method (Pang and Reed, 1998; Palandri and Reed, 2001) was
applied to the collected water samples (Fig. 8) to verify the above as­
sumptions. Degassed CO2 was simultaneously re-established in the
water samples by adding HCO3 and Hþ to maintain pH at 6.5 average
level, then water was equilibrated with an aluminum silicate mineral.
The recorded concentrations of HCO3 at pH equilibrium increased
nearly to the same level in all the tested water samples as follows (see
Table 5S; Supplementary Material): sample 2 (pH ¼ 6.5, HCO3 ¼ 3.383
mmol/kgw), sample 18 (pH ¼ 6.54, HCO3 ¼ 3.546 mmol/kgw), sample

9
A. Abdelali et al. Applied Geochemistry 113 (2020) 104492

24 (pH ¼ 6.6, HCO3 ¼ 3.200 mmol/kgw); and sample 22 (pH ¼ 6.53,

HCO3 ¼ 3.227 mmol/kgw). Therefore, Log (Q/K) diagram becomes
more accurate displaying convergent SI curves as in the case of quartz
and chalcedony (Pang and Reed, 1998; Palandri and Reed, 2001; Blasco
et al., 2017, 2018). With slightly acidic water (pH~6.5) kaolinite and
muscovite were fixed as suggested by Pang and Reed (1998). The results
were in accordance with previous findings (Nezli, 2009). Microcline and
Albite were not used due to their disequilibrium with water (under­
saturation) confirming Na–K geothermometry assumptions.
Based on the convergent SI of the minerals aggregation, the obtained
temperatures ranged from 75 � C to 85 � C depending on locations:
Ouargla (75–76 � C); Touggourt and Djamaa (78–80 � C); and Meghaier
(84–85 � C).

5.5. Sulfate-water isotope geothermometers

Equations of δ18O (SO4–H2O) isotope geothermometer were deter­

mined based on equilibrium between HSO4 and H2O (Seal et al., 2000),
equilibrium of SO4–H2O (Zeebe, 2010), and equilibrium of CaSO4–H2O
(Boschetti, 2013).
Normally, the isotope geothermometer HSO4–H2O was calibrated for
systems with temperatures higher than, or equal to 100 � C and neutral
pH (Lloyd, 1968; Mizutani and Rafter, 1969). However, it can also be
Fig. 9. Oxygen-Water isotope fractionation factors versus Temperature (in
applied to water systems with temperatures lower than 100 � C under a
Kelvin) with calibration curves CaSO4–H2O (Boschetti, 2013); HSO4–H2O (Seal
required 500 years minimum residence time to reach equilibrium
et al., 2000); SO4–H2O (continuous line; Zeebe, 2010); and SO4–H2O (dashed
(Lloyd, 1968). The residence time of the collected water samples was line; Halas and Pluta, 2000).
estimated at about 775000 years (Petersen, 2014; Petersen et al., 2018),
thus fulfilling HSO4–H2O equilibrium condition. With this residence
composition, which occurred due leaching of hosting geological for­
time condition and equilibrium state, HSO4–H2O Formula (Seal et al.,
mation. The water composition is substantially dominated by sulfate
2000) provided relatively reliable temperatures of 73.70–79.84 � C since
over the entire sampled area. Thus, Isotope ratios of δ18O(H2O), δ18O(SO4)
the water pH was slightly acidic. The results could be more accurate if
and δ34S(SO4) were used. Isotope geochemistry involving δ34S and δ18O
the formula was applied to water systems with HSO4 predominant
of dissolved sulfates were applied to identify the origin of the leaching
composition. In the present case, HSO4–H2O reached equilibrium at near
process in the CI aquifer. Besides, δ18O(H2O) and δ18O(SO4) enabled the
neutral pH, an appropriate condition for such application as previously
application of SO4–H2O geothermometer.
suggested (Chiba and Sakai, 1985). Furthermore, results from plotted
Selected geothermometers successfully assessed the temperatures in
Oxygen-Water isotope fractionation factors versus temperature showed
CI aquifer, with Quartz (Silica) and CaSO4–H2O isotope geo­
that the tested water samples were closer to HSO4–H2O than to SO4–H2O
thermometers suggested to be the most equilibrated minerals with
equilibrium (Fig. 9).
water. On the other hand, Na–K and Na–K–Ca showed their limits by
Updated SO4–H2O formula (Zeebe, 2010), which was originally
providing unreliable results, while Na–Li formula, although over­
calibrated for low temperature sedimentary reservoirs, was also
estimated the temperatures due to lack of equilibrium, was somehow
attempted in the present study but the results were unreliable (i.e.,
close to reality. The results also showed that CaSO4–H2O geo­
estimated temperatures lower than the ones obtained at discharge).
thermometer could be successfully used with reservoir systems at low-
Although, the studied water samples had predominant SO4 content, they
medium temperatures.
were not in equilibrium with H2O (Fig. 9). This lack of equilibrium
The recorded temperatures positively correlated with the aquifer
might be due to a slow exchange of 18O between SO4 and H2O at tem­
depths over the sampled locations, which could be validated by the
peratures lower than 200 � C and low pH (Lloyd, 1968; Chiba and Sakai,
multiple mineral equilibrium approach.
1985).
The present study highlighted the potential of a geothermal source in
On the other hand, higher temperatures (83.80–90.40 � C) were ob­
southeastern Algeria, considering reservoir temperatures ranging from
tained applying CaSO4–H2O formula (Boschetti, 2013). The functioning
~70 to ~93 � C and a flow rate greater than 100 l/s, especially in
of this formula depends on gypsum or anhydrite-water equilibrium,
Djama ^a, Meghaier and El Oued areas. This geothermal source could be
which is the case in the present study (Fig. 9). The estimated tempera­
used for electricity generation and other applications for a better sus­
ture validates the reliability of CaSO4–H2O isotope geothermometer
tainable development in the Sahara of Algeria.
even for reservoirs with temperatures lower than 100 � C. The results
obtained with CaSO4–H2O isotope geothermometer are similar to those
obtained with quartz geothermometer, and both corroborate previous Declaration of competing interest
findings (Blasco et al., 2017, 2018).
The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.
6. Conclusion
Acknowledgment
The present research focused on geochemical and geothermo­
metrical characterization of groundwater from the Continental Inter­ We would like to thank Dr. David Dettman from the Environmental
calaire (CI) aquifer at a regional scale in the northeastern Sahara of Isotope Laboratory at the University of Arizona for his help with isotope
Algeria, using chemical and isotope data. The results showed that The CI analysis, and Amistadi Mary Kay for providing trace element analysis at
waters are neutral to slightly alkaline, with a high salinity. Water the ALEC Laboratory, University of Arizona. Many thanks to the staff
chemistry is governed by calcium, sodium and very high chloride and from the National Agency of Hydraulic Resources (ANRH) for the
sulfate concentration levels. Water types are of Na–Cl–SO4 and Ca–SO4 valuable help they provided during the field work. This article is a part

10
A. Abdelali et al. Applied Geochemistry 113 (2020) 104492

of a national research project (PRFU) under the number: Chkir, N., Guendouz, A., Zouari, K., Hadj Ammar, F., Moulla, A.S., 2009. Uranium
isotopes in groundwater from the continental intercalaire aquifer in Algerian
E04N01UN300120180002. Helpful comments by the editor and re­
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