Russian Journal of Earth Sciences Russian Journal of Earth Sciences Russian Journal of Earth Sciences 1681-1208 93380 10.2205/2026es001052 pbjvcp ОРИГИНАЛЬНЫЕ СТАТЬИ ORIGINAL ARTICLES ОРИГИНАЛЬНЫЕ СТАТЬИ Impact of Urban and Agricultural Discharges on Trace Metal Accumulation in Semi-Arid River Sediments: A Case Study of Wadi Djedra (Northeast Algeria) Impact of Urban and Agricultural Discharges on Trace Metal Accumulation in Semi-Arid River Sediments: A Case Study of Wadi Djedra (Northeast Algeria) https://orcid.org/0009-0009-1482-1014 Mohammed Adjili Idriss Adjili Mohammed Idriss univsoukahras791@gmail.com

докторант химических наук;

doctoral candidate of chemical sciences;

 https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1096-559X Zenati Noureddine Zenati Noureddine https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2647-2968 Nabiha Belahcen Nabiha Belahcen https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7333-3840 Abdelhak Gheid Abdelhak Gheid University of Souk-Ahras Souk-Ahras Алжир University of Souk-Ahras Souk-Ahras Algeria University of Souk Ahras Алжир University of Souk Ahras Algeria University of Souk Ahras Россия University of Souk Ahras Russian Federation University of Souk Ahras Алжир University of Souk Ahras Algeria 12 04 2026 12 04 2026 26 1 ES1015 10 01 2025 01 09 2025 https://rjes.ru/en/nauka/article/93380/view

This study aimed to assess the contamination of sediments in Wadi Djedra and its tributaries by seven trace elements. The average concentrations of Mn, Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni, Cd, and Cr in the sediments ranged from 31.4 to 59.2, 1.2 to 18.4, 15.1 to 54.7, 11.2 to 19.7, 1.1 to 14.7, 0.1 to 0.3, and 0.1 to 4.3 mg/kg, respectively. Sediment contamination was evaluated using the enrichment factor (EF), geoaccumulation index (Igeo), and potential ecological risk index (Eri). The Igeo values for Cd indicated moderate contamination at sites S2, S4, S5, and S7, while for other sites and elements, the values were negative, indicating no contamination. The results revealed very high enrichment of Cd and Cu in the analyzed sediments, attributed to human activities. In contrast, chromium and manganese concentrations were comparable to those observed in the Earth's crust. Suggesting even a depletion of metals in the sediments (EF < 2). The Eri index measurements showed that the sediments in the Djedra basin exhibited moderate to high pollution levels for Cd at most study sites. Lithogenic sources, urban discharges, and agricultural activities were the main factors affecting the concentrations of Cd, Cu, Zn, and Pb in the studied sediments. Although the current contamination is not alarming in the short term, it should be considered in future monitoring and management efforts.

This study aimed to assess the contamination of sediments in Wadi Djedra and its tributaries by seven trace elements. The average concentrations of Mn, Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni, Cd, and Cr in the sediments ranged from 31.4 to 59.2, 1.2 to 18.4, 15.1 to 54.7, 11.2 to 19.7, 1.1 to 14.7, 0.1 to 0.3, and 0.1 to 4.3 mg/kg, respectively. Sediment contamination was evaluated using the enrichment factor (EF), geoaccumulation index (Igeo), and potential ecological risk index (Eri). The Igeo values for Cd indicated moderate contamination at sites S2, S4, S5, and S7, while for other sites and elements, the values were negative, indicating no contamination. The results revealed very high enrichment of Cd and Cu in the analyzed sediments, attributed to human activities. In contrast, chromium and manganese concentrations were comparable to those observed in the Earth's crust. Suggesting even a depletion of metals in the sediments (EF < 2). The Eri index measurements showed that the sediments in the Djedra basin exhibited moderate to high pollution levels for Cd at most study sites. Lithogenic sources, urban discharges, and agricultural activities were the main factors affecting the concentrations of Cd, Cu, Zn, and Pb in the studied sediments. Although the current contamination is not alarming in the short term, it should be considered in future monitoring and management efforts.

 Djedra watershed pollution trace metals sediments ecological risks Djedra watershed Pollution Trace metals Sediments Ecological risks. The authors appreciate the laboratory of the Faculty of Biology of the Souk Ahras University for having made it possible to measure the metallic trace elements. The authors appreciate the laboratory of the Faculty of Biology of the Souk Ahras University for having made it possible to measure the metallic trace elements.

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