Résumé:
This study deals with the pollution of the greatest river
in Algeria, and, therefore, 180 sediment samples from the
Cheliff River from three industrial areas in Tiaret, Relizane
and Chlef were analyzed. The concentration of heavy
metals was determined by Inductively Coupled Plasma-
Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES). The results
show that the sediment samples were highly polluted,
particularly near Chlef and Relizane cities, with Cd (global
mean: 5.48±0.27 mg Kg-1 dry weight), Pb (384±19), Zn
(1264±63), Cu (442±22) and Cr (399±20). These results
clearly exceed the ERL values recommended by US EPA.
Due to natural dilution and diffusion, the level of contamination
decreases near Tiaret. A comparison with the data
of different sites throughout the world, the background
values (Shale) and sediment quality guidelines was established.
This study reveals that river sediments of Cheliff
River are highly contaminated by five heavy metals: Cd,
Pb, Zn, Cu and Cr.
