Abstract
Water in the fissured limestone and dolomite of the Turonian aquifer of Tunisia has been investigated using geochemical (major ions) and isotopic (δ18O, δ2H, 14C) data. To carry out a characterization of aquifer behaviour, 48 representative samples were collected at the end of the humid season. The evolution of chemical composition of groundwater from recharge areas to discharge areas is characterized by increasing sodium, chloride and sulphate contents as a result of leaching of evaporite rock. In the study, three distinct chemical trends in groundwater were identified. The major reactions responsible for the chemical evolution of groundwater in the investigated area fall into three categories: (1) calcite precipitation, (2) gypsum and halite dissolution, and (3) ion exchange. The stable isotope composition of water samples indicates large-scale interaction between the Continental Intercalaire and the Turonian aquifer and the presence of a young local component which probably enters the system via faults and/or fractures.
Résumé
L’eau du réservoir calcaire et dolomitique fissuré de l’Aquifère turonien de Tunisie a été étudié en utilisant des données géochimiques (ions majeurs) et isotopiques (δ18O, δ2H, 14C). Pour caractériser le comportement de l’aquifère, 48 échantillons représentatifs ont été collectés en fin de saison humide. L’évolution de la composition chimique de la nappe depuis la zone de recharge jusqu’à la zone de débord est caractérisée par une augmentation du sodium, chlorure et sulfate, suite à la lixiviation d’évaporites. Dans l’étude, trois tendances chimiques distinctes ont été identifiées. Les principales réactions, à l’origine de l’évolution de la nappe dans la zone d’investigation, se répartissent en trois catégories: (1) précipitation de calcite, (2) dissolution du gypse et de la halite, et (3) échange ionique. La composition isotopique stable des échantillons d’eau indique une interaction à large échelle entre le Continental intercalaire et l’Aquifère turonien ainsi que la présence d’un apport local récent qui pénètre probablement le système par failles et/ou fractures.
Resumen
Se investigó el agua en calizas y dolomitas fisuradas del acuífero Turonian de Túnez usando geoquímica (iones mayoritarios) y datos isotópicos (δ18O, δ2H, 14C). Para llevar a cabo una caracterización del comportamiento del acuífero, se recolectaron 48 muestras representativas al final de la estación húmeda. La evolución de la composición química del agua subterránea desde las áreas de recarga a las áreas de descarga está caracterizada por un incremento en los contenidos de sodio, cloruro y sulfato como resultado del lixiviado de rocas evaporíticas. En este estudio se identificaron tres tendencias químicas distintas en el agua subterránea. Las reacciones mayores, responsables de la evolución química del agua subterránea en el área investigada, cayeron en tres categorías: (1) precipitación de calcita, (2) disolución de yeso y halita, y (3) intercambio iónico. La composición de isótopos estables de las muestras de agua indicaron interacciones a gran escala entre el Continental Intercalaire y el acuífero Turoniano y la presencia de una componente local joven que probablemente entra al sistema a través de fallas y/o fracturas.
الخلاصة
لدراسة المياه في الصخور الكلسية والدولوميت المتشققة لطبقة المياه الجوفية التورونيان بتونس استخدمنا التقنيات الكيميائية (الأيونات الرئيسية) ، والنظائرية )أكسيجين- ١٨، دوتريوم، الكربون ١٤ (. و في هذا الإطار تم أخذ ٤٨ عينة مائية من كامل الحوض في أواخر الفصول الممطرة. و لقد بينت نتائج التحاليل أن التركيبة الكيميائية و ملوحة المياه تتغير تدريجيا من مناطق التغذية إلى أسفل الحوض، حيث ترتفع نسبة السوديوم، الكلوريد و الكبريتات نتيجة ذوبان الجبس والهاليت في المياه الجوفية. تم تحديد في هذه الدراسة ثلاثة عناصر أساسية ساهمت في تغيير الخصائص الكيميائية للمياه الجوفية: (١) ترسبات الكالسيت ، (٢) ذوبان الجبس والهاليت، و (٣) التبادل الأيوني. تشير تركيبة النظائر المستقرة لعينات المياه إلى أهمية مياه القاري المتوسطي في تغذية خزان التورونيان و تغذية الموائد المائية بمياه الأمطار عبر الفوالق التكتونية.
Resumo
Foi realizada uma investigação à água dos calcários e dolomitos fracturados do aquífero Turoniano da Tunísia, usando dados geoquímicos (iões principais) e isotópicos (δ18O, δ2H, 14C). Para efectuar uma caracterização do comportamento do aquífero, 48 amostras representativas foram colhidas no final da estação húmida. A evolução da composição química das águas subterrâneas de áreas de recarga para as áreas de descarga é caracterizada pelo aumento de teor em sódio, cloreto e sulfato, em resultado da lixiviação de rochas evaporíticas. No estudo, três tendências químicas distintas foram identificadas nas águas subterrâneas. As principais reacções responsáveis pela evolução química das águas subterrâneas na área estudada agrupam-se em três categorias: (1) precipitação de calcite, (2) dissolução de gesso e halite, e (3) troca iónica. A estabilidade da composição isotópica das amostras de água indicam uma interacção a larga escala entre o “Continental Intercalaire” e o aquífero Turoniano, e a presença de uma componente local recente que provavelmente entra no sistema através de falhas e/ou fracturas.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Abid K (2010) Identification et caractérisation hydrogéologique et géochimique de la nappe du Turonien dans le Sud tunisien et sa relation avec les aquifères adjacents [Identification and hydrogeological and geochemical characterization of the Turonian aquifer of southern Tunisia and its relation with the adjacent aquifers]. PhD Thesis, Engineering School of Sfax, Tunisa
Abid K, Trabelsi R, Zouari K (2008) Use of stable isotopes in the determination of the altitude of recharge basin of the Continental Intercalaire aquifer (southern Tunisia). Ninth Arab Conference on the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy, Beirut, 13–17 December 2008
Abid K, Trabelsi R, Zouari K, Abidi B (2009) Caractérisation hydrogéochimique de la nappe du Continental Intercalaire (Sud tunisien) [Hydrogeochemical characterization of the Continental Intercalaire aquifer (southern Tunisia)]. J Sci Hydrol 54(3):526–537
Abidi B, Ben Baccar B (2001) La nappe du Continental Intercalaire du sud-est Tunisien: analyse de la situation actuelle [The Continental Intercalaire aquifer of the south-east of Tunisa: analyse of the current situation]. Direction Générale des Ressources en Eau, Tunis, Tunisia, 228 pp
Andrews JN, Fontes JC, Aranyossy JF, Dodo A, Edmunds WM, Joseph A, Travi Y (1994) The evolution of alkaline aquifer of the Irhazer Plain, Niger. Water Resour Res 30(1):45–61
Bouaziz S (1995) Etude de la tectonique cassante dans la plateforme et l’Atlas Sahariens (Tunisie Meridionale): évolution des paleochamps de contraintes et implications géodynamiques [Study of tectonics in the Saharan platform and Saharan Atlas (Southern Tunisia): evolution of the paleofields of constraints and geodynamic implications]. PhD Thesis, University of Sciences-Tunis, Tunisia
Busson G (1970) Le Mésozoïque saharien, tômes 1 et 2 [The Saharan Mesozoic, vols 1–2]. Centre National de Recherche Scientifique, Paris, France
Cardenal J, Benavente J, Cruz-Sanjulián J (1994) Chemical evolution of groundwater in Triassic gypsum-bearing carbonate aquifers (Las Alpujarras, southern Spain). J Hydrol 161:3–30
Castany G (1954) L’accident Sud Tunisien son âge et ses relations avec l’accident sud-atlasique d’Algerie [The Southern Tunisian fault, its age and its relationship with the Southern Atlas fault of Algeria]. C R Acad Sci Paris 238:1–184
Colpen TB, Wildman J, Chen J (1991) Improvement in the gaseous hydrogen-water equilibration technique for hydrogen isotopes ration analysis. Anal Chem 63:910–912
Dixon W, Chiswell B (1992) The use of hydrochemical sections to identify recharge areas and saline intrusions in alluvial aquifers, southeast Queensland, Australia. J Hydrol 130:299–338
Edmunds W M, Bath A H, Miles D L (1982) Hydrochemical evolution of the East Midlands Triassic sandstone aquifer, England. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 46:2069–2081
Edmunds WM, Shand P, Guendouz AH, Moulla AS, Mamou A, Zouari K (1997) Recharge characteristics and groundwater quality of the Grand Erg Oriental basin. BGS, London, UK
Edmunds WM, Guendouz A, Mamou A, Moulla A, Shand P, Zouari K (2003) Groundwater evolution in the Continental Intercalaire aquifer of southern Algeria and Tunisia: trace element and isotopic indicators. Appl Geochem 18:805–822
Ellouze N (1984) Etude de la subsidence de la Tunisie atlasique orientale et de la Mer pélagienne [Study of the subsidence of the Eastern atlasic Tunisia and the Pelagian Sea]. PhD Thesis, Univ. Paris VI, France, 129 pp
Epstein S, Mayeda TK (1953) Variations of 18O content of waters from natural sources. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 4:213–224
ERESS (1972) Etude des Ressources en Eau de Sahara Septentrional [The study of the water ressources of the Northern Saharan (7 vols. and annexes)]. UNESCO, Paris
Fontes JC (1971) Un ensemble destiné à la mesure de l’activité du radiocarbone naturel par scintillation liquide [A unit intended for the measurement of the activity of natural radiocarbon by liquid scintillation]. Rev Geog Phys Géol Dyn 13(1):67–86
Fontes JC, Coque R, Dever L, Filly A, Mamou A (1983) Paléohydrologie isotopique de l’wadi el Akarit (sud tunisien) au Pléistocène et à l’Holocène. [Isotopic Paleohydrology of the wadi el Akarit (southern Tunisia) in the Pleistocene and Holocene]. Palaeogeogr Palaeontol Palaeogeol 43:41–61
Garcia MG, Del Hidalgo M, Blesa MA (2001) Geochemistry of groundwater in the alluvial plain of Tucumán province Argentina. Hydrogeol J 9(6):597–610
Gonfiantini R, Conrad G, Fontes JC, Sauzy G, Payne BR (1974) Etude isotopique de la nappe du Continental Intercalaire et ses relations avec les autres nappes du Sahara Septentrional [Isotopic study of the Continental Intercalaire aquifer and its relations with the other aquifers of the Northern Saharan]. IAEASM-182/25. In: Isotope techniques in groundwater hydrology, vol I. IAEA, Vienna, pp 227–241
Guendouz A, Moulla A S, Edmunds WM, Zouari K, Shand P, Mamou A (2002) Hydrogeochemical and isotopic evolution of water in the Complexe Terminal aquifer in the Algerian Sahara. Engineering Sciences Faculty, Blida, Algeria, pp 483–495
Henia L (1993) Climat et bilans de l’eau en Tunisie: Essai de régionalisation climatique par les bilans hydriques [Climate and water balances in Tunisia: test of regionalization using water balance assessment]. PhD Thesis, Human and Social Faculty of Science of Sfax-Tunisia
Hidalgo MC, Cruz-Sanjulián J, Sanroma A (1995) Evolución geoquímica de las aguas subterráneas en una cuenca sedimentaria (acuífero de Baza-Caniles, Granada, España) [Geochemical Evolution of underground waters in a sedimentary river basin (water-bearing of Baza-Caniles, Granada, Spain)]. Tierra Tecnol 20:39–48
Magaritz M, Nadler A, Koyumdjisky H, Dan N (1981) The use of Na/Cl ratio to trace solute sources in a semiarid zone. Water Resour Res 17:602–608
Mamou A (1990) Caractéristiques, evaluation, gestion des ressources en eau du Sud Tunisien [Characteristics, evaluation, management of water resources of southern Tunisia]. PhD Thesis, University of Southern Paris, France
McLean W, Jankowski J, Lavitt N et al (2000) Groundwater quality and sustainability in an alluvial aquifer, Australia. In: Sililo O (ed) Groundwater, past achievement and future challenges. Balkema, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, pp 567–573
Melki T (1996) Les masses d’air sur la Tunisie [Air masses of Tunisia]. PhD Thesis, Human and Social Faculty of Science of Sfax-Tunisia
INM (1998) Rev National Off Météorol 98(5):39. http://www.meteo.tn/default.html
OSS (Observatoire Sahara et Sahel) (2003) Système aquifère du Sahara septentrional: gestion commune d’un bassin transfrontière [Aquifer system of northern Sahara: common management of a trans-border basin]. Review article, OSS, Tunisia
Plummer LN, Jones BF, Truesdell AH (1976) WATEQF, a Fortan IV version of WATEQ, a computer program for calculating chemical equilibrium of natural waters. US Geol Surv Water Resour Invest 76, 61 pp
Rabhi M (1987) Rapports tectonique-sédimentation au Crétacé supérieur et à l’Eocène inférieur: Structuration de l’Axe Nord-Sud (Tunisie) [Tectonics-sedimentation ratios with the upper Cretaceous and the lower Eocene: structuring of the North-South Axis (Tunisia)]. Summary, 8th IAS Regional Meeting of Sedimentology, Tunis, March 1987, 418 pp
Trabelsi R, Kacem A, Zouari K, Rozanski K (2008) Quantifying regional groundwater flow between continental intercalaire and Djeffara aquifers in southern Tunisia using isotope methods. Environ Geol 58:171–183
Valles V, N’diaye MK, Bernadac A, Tardy Y (1989) Geochemistry of waters in the Kouroumari region, Mali: Al, Si and Mg in waters concentrated by evaporation—development of a model. Arid Soil Res 3:21–39
Zouari K, Chkir N, Ouda B (2003) Palaeoclimatic variation in Maknassi basin (central Tunisia) during Holocene period using pluridisplinary approaches. IAEA Tech. Report 80-88, IAEA, Vienna
Acknowledgements
The authors gratefully acknowledge the contributions of the staff members of Gabes, Kébili, Tataouine and Medenine Water Resources Division/Agriculture Ministry, for their help during field work. We also thank the technical staff at the Laboratory of the International Agency of Atomic Energy (IAEA) and the Laboratory of Radio-Analyses and Environment of the National Engineering School of Sfax (ENIS) for their help and assistance during laboratory analyses. Contribution of M.D. was supported by statutory funds of the AGH University of Science and Technology (project No. 11.11.220.01)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Abid, K., Zouari, K., Dulinski, M. et al. Hydrologic and geologic factors controlling groundwater geochemistry in the Turonian aquifer (southern Tunisia). Hydrogeol J 19, 415–427 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-010-0668-z
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-010-0668-z