DAMMING EFFECTS ON RIVER SILICON BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLE IN A SOUTH MEDITERRANEAN BASIN (SEYBOUSE, NORTHEAST ALGERIA)
Omar Ramzi ZIOUCH1,2,*, Tarek DAIFALLAH1,3, Nour El Houda ALLEGUE1, Hadjer LASKRI4, Naouel DALI1,3, Rabah ZEBSA5, Zinette BENSAKHRI5
1Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, Abbes Laghrour University, Khenchela, Algeria; ftmzhrdahou@gmail.com
2Laboratory of Bio-Composites, Bio-Molecules, Surface Treatment and Water Treatment. Abbes Laghrour University, Khenchela, Algeria; ziouchor@univ-khenchela.dz
3Laboratory of Biotechnology, Water, Environment, and Health, Abbes Laghrour University, Khenchela, Algeria; dali.naouel@univ-khenchela.dz, daifallah.tarek@univ-khenchela.dz
4Laboratory of Biogeochemical and Ecological Analyses of Aquatic Environments, Department of Marine Science, Badji Mokhtar University, Annaba, PO Box 12, Sidi Ammar 23000, Algeria; hadjerlaskri5@gmail.com
5Laboratory of Biology, Water and Environment, University of 8 May 1945 Guelma, BP 4010 Guelma 24000, Algeria; zebsarabah@gmail.com, zinette_29@yahoo.fr
* Corresponding author: ziouchor@univ-khenchela.dz
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Abstract
DOI: 10.26471/cjees/2025/020/325
Silicon (Si) is the most abundant element in the earth's crust after oxygen; it is found in aquatic environments as orthosilicic acid. This study concerned for the first time the distribution and flux of dissolved silicates (SiO4) in strategic sites (Charef dam, Bouhamdane dam, and estuary) from the upstream of the Seybouse basin to its mouth to understand silicon biogeochemical transformations under dams and estuarine effects. Surface water sampling was taken and analyzed in the dry (September 2016) and wet (April 2017) seasons. In parallel to sampling dates, physical parameters, and water discharge data were recorded. The highest SiO4 levels were recorded upstream and weakened towards the mouth. It was reduced between 32% and 54% for the Charef and Bouhamdane dams respectively, while the retention rate of the estuary was on average 44%. In terms of flux, the Charef and Bouhamdane dams produced 2 t/yr and 17 t/yr respectively, whereas the estuary produced only 54 t/yr to the coastal zone. Dams and estuarine part play a crucial role in changes in the biogeochemical silicon cycle and are expected to have severe impacts on the river system and the receiving coastline functioning.
Keywords:
- silicon
- dam
- Charef
- Bouhamdane
- Seybouse
- basin
- biochemical
- cycle
How to cite
Omar Ramzi ZIOUCH, Tarek DAIFALLAH, Nour El Houda ALLEGUE, Hadjer LASKRI, Naouel DALI, Rabah ZEBSA, Zinette BENSAKHRI (2025). DAMMING EFFECTS ON RIVER SILICON BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLE IN A SOUTH MEDITERRANEAN BASIN (SEYBOUSE, NORTHEAST ALGERIA), Carpathian Journal of Earth and Environmental Sciences February 2025 Vol. 20, No. 1, p. 197 – 204; https://doi.org/10.26471/cjees/2025/020/325