ALJEST

Algerian Journal of Environmental Science and Technology

September edition. Vol.9. No3. (2023)
ISSN : 2437-1114
www.aljest.org

Characterization of the functioning of the Aïn Telout

karstic system by hydrodynamic methods (The Tlemcen
Mountains, Algeria)

A. Mamoune¹*, H. Azzaz, D. Harek, A. Hamimed

1 Laboratory of Research on Biological Systems and Geomatics (LRBSG), Faculty of

Nature and Life Sciences, University of Mustapha Stambouli, Mascara, 29000 Mascara-
Algeria.

* Corresponding author: Ali.mamoun@univ-mascara.dz .

ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT/RESUME
Article History :
Received : 02/12/2021 Abstract: This article spot the light on characterization of functioning
Accepted : 17/05/2022 of Aïn Telout karstic system by hydrodynamic methods (The Tlemcen
Mountains, Algeria). The approach adopted in this work is based on
Key Words: the analysis of discharges and rainfalls chronicles of Aïn Telout spring
over four hydrological cycles 2010-2014, using the following methods:
Karst; hydrodynamics; analysis of the classified discharges, analysis of the recession curves
Aïn Tellout; Tlemcen as well as the correlation and spectral analysis. The application of
Mountains.
these methods has allowed us to characterize the hydrodynamic
functioning of this hydrosystem. It is an inertial system, weakly
karstified and poorly drained, with a mediocre dynamic volume
estimated at 465,000 m³ and a residence time of water about 405 days.
The application of correlation and spectral analysis has permitted
extraction of some characteristics. The input signal (rainfall) shows a
seasonal trend characteristic of the Mediterranean climate, while the
simple correlogram of discharges of the Telout spring display a signal
different from that of the input signal, reflecting the regulating
character of this system. The simple and cross analysis show a memory
effect of 60 days, a regulation time of 35 days and a response time of
15 days. The cross-correlogram indicate a double response of the
system following rainfall solicitations, a rapid response of the system,
which translates a transmissive character, followed by a second slow
and very inertial response reflecting a second capacitive character of
this system.

I. Introduction management to protect and rationally exploit this

With a surface area of nearly 985.32 km², the
carbonate massif of the Upper Jurassic of Tlemcen
Mountains constitutes one of the main karst
reservoirs of northern Algeria, which contains
several hydro systems and cover 40% of the water
needs of the local population.
Currently, the increased demand on water due to
socio-economic pressure has led to a degradation of
this resource, both qualitatively through pollution
and quantitatively through overexploitation. This
situation requires an optimised and sustainable
hydric resource.
Before setting up a rational management strategy for
karst water resources, it is essential to understand the
functioning of the karst system, based on
hydrodynamic, hydrogeochemical and isotopic
approaches. To estimate the available karstic
reserves, the degree of karstification, delimit the
supply basin, the protection perimeter and evaluating
the impact of anthropic extension on the aquifer.
The hydrological and hydrochemical research on
karst aquifers of Tlemcen Mountains have been the
subject of several studies [01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07,

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