Characterization and diversity of macroin-vertebrates in groundwater in the region of Souk-Ahras (North-East of Algeria)

A preliminary inventory of macroinvertebrate communities and a regular physicochemical analysis of groundwater were carried out in the Souk Ahras region (north-eastern Algeria). It aims to study and analyze the structure and distribution of underground aquatic species, thus determining the relationship that may exist between the quality of water in wells and springs with the diversity of aquatic fauna present in the habitats. Through 2018, 14 stations (10 wells and 4 springs) were monitored on a monthly basis, while water and aquatic fauna samples were taken. A principal component analysis (PCA) of the physicochemical quality parameters was carried out from the average values of each parameter. It has been observed that the waters are highly mineralized, due to the high values of total hardness, salinity, and sulfate levels in certain stations. The sources of contamination are mainly due to the raw wastewater circulating in the small canals. Also “seguias” are used either to evacuate wastewater or for irrigation, which seeps down to the water table. The collected aquatic fauna in all the 14 stations is diversified and contains 29 families which correspond to 4 taxa.