Physico-chemical quality of the Medjerda River in Tunisia and suitability for irrigation during the moist and the dry seasons

Surface waters are usually exposed to industrial, urban, and agricultural wastes. This study assessed the water sediments quality of important primary watercourse in Tunisia principal source domestic irrigation purposes, Medjerda River. Water samples were analyzed for total suspended solids, calcium, magnesium, hardness, carbonates, bicarbonates, residual sodium hazard, magnesium hazard. They collected from five sampling sites along upstream downstream through two campaigns, one at end moist period other half dry line with irrigation. The presence high concentrations (i) which varied 25.51 61.65 mg l-1 27.58 133.10 one; (ii) carbonates that 18.0 l-1for campaigns respectively 49.8 66.0 humid periods (iii) hardness 646.5 1043.0 503.0 741.0 could future pose threats toxicity soil plants when will be continuously used Sediments also collected, their contamination by heavy metals was indicators: factor (CF) pollution load index. Results depicted severe metal mainly cadmium, CF 3.33 22.66. Protection River its tributaries is compulsory prevent apparent deterioration quality.