Hydrogeophysical investigation of aquifer parameters and seawater intrusion: a case study from Eastern Mitidja plain, Algeria

The rapid depletion of surface water due to climate change increases the world's water demand. As a result, groundwater resources are rapidly emerging as the primary source of freshwater supply for various needs. However, overexploitation and inadequate management of these resources can lead to irreversible contamination of freshwater reservoirs. Effective groundwater resource management depends on a detailed understanding of hydrogeological parameters that control the complex functioning of aquifers. However, these data are often scarce due to their expensive acquisition process. The present study assesses the use of geophysical methods for the estimation of hydrogeological parameters namely hydraulic conductivity and transmissivity. Moreover, the study evaluates the marine intrusion in the coastal aquifer of one of the most important plains of Algeria. The approach suggested is based on a combination of cost-effective geophysical techniques (geoelectrical surveys) and precise hydrogeological data. The results identified aquifer parameters relevant to the location of new water wells and allowed delineation of the seawater/freshwater interface.