Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Water quality in semi-arid reservoirs is vulnerable to drought, yet impacts remain poorly quantified. This study assesses meteorological drought effects on Boukerdane Dam, Tipaza, Algeria, from 2019 to 2023 using high-resolution weekly physicochemical sampling and daily volume records. Drought severity was measured using Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI). Water quality was evaluated via the Water Quality Index (WQI) and irrigation indices Sodium Adsorption Ratio, Residual Sodium Carbonate, Magnesium Ratio, and Magnesium Hazard. Results revealed strong negative correlations between drought indices and key parameters: drought increased conductivity, nitrate, and turbidity, while decreasing dissolved oxygen and volume. SPEI showed marginally stronger correlations than SPI for physicochemical parameters, highlighting evaporation’s role. Trend analysis confirmed a significant drying trend coupled with declining water quality. A stepwise degradation pattern was identified, where post-drought recoveries were incomplete. Principal Component Analysis retained six components explaining 72.3% variance, identifying salinity and temperature as primary drivers. Although WQI remained stable, irrigation indices indicated rising sodium hazards. The study concludes that drought degraded water quality, heightening risks of salinization and nutrient pollution. Parameter-specific monitoring is recommended over aggregate indices for effective management under climate change.
DOI: 10.2965/jwet.25-184
Institution: University of Blida
Language: English
Subfield: Water Science and Technology
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7202044883