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The hydrogeochemical characterization of groundwater in Gafsa-Sidi Boubaker region (Southwestern Tunisia)

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Abstract

Gafsa region is one of the most productive artesian basins in Southern Tunisia. It is located in the southwestern part of the country, and its groundwater resources are developed for water supply and irrigation. Proper understanding of the geochemical evolution of groundwater is important for sustainable development of water resources in this region. A hydrogeochemical survey was conducted on the Plio-Quaternary shallow and on the Complex Terminal aquifers system using major (Ca, Mg, Na, SO4, Cl, NO3 and HCO3) and minor (Sr) elements, in order to evaluate the groundwater chemistry patterns and the main mineralization processes occurring in this system. Hydrochemical and isotopic data were used in conjunction with hydrogeological characteristics to investigate the groundwater composition in these aquifers. It has been demonstrated that groundwaters acquire their mineralization principally by water–rock interaction, i.e. dissolution of evaporites (halite/gypsum, pyrite, etc.) and return flow of irrigation waters, and by anthropogenic activities due to the use of nitrogen (N) fertilizers–pesticides in agriculture. The isotopic study of “stable isotopes, radiocarbon and tritium” (Yermani 2002) shows that a paleoclimatic recharge is corroborated by the relatively low carbon-14 activities (5–25.3%) of the referred groundwater group samples, which were interpreted as recharge occurring during the late Pleistocene and the early Holocene periods. The water feedings of these aquifers are mainly provided by infiltration of precipitations, infiltration of irrigation water, lateral feeding from Cretaceous relieves from the South and the North and along recent and fossil drainage networks that constitute major freshwater sources in groundwater tables (Hamed et al., J Environ Protect 1:466–474, 2010a).

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Acknowledgements

The author gratefully acknowledges the contributions of the staff members of Gafsa Water Resources Division/Agriculture Ministry and the members of phosphate Company of Gafsa “CPG”, for their help during field work. We also thank the technical staff at the Laboratory of the International Agency of Atomic Energy and the Department of Earth Sciences, Water, Energy and Environmental Laboratory (L3E) of the National Engineering School of Sfax (ENIS-Tunisia) for their help and assistance during Laboratory analyses. The author greatly appreciates the constructive and thoughtful comments of the anonymous reviewer.

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  1. Faculty of Sciences of Gabes, Department of Earth Sciences, Water, Energy and Environmental Laboratory (L3E), National School of Engineers of Sfax ENIS-Route, Soukra km 3.5, B.P.W 3038, Sfax, Tunisia

    Younes Hamed

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Hamed, Y. The hydrogeochemical characterization of groundwater in Gafsa-Sidi Boubaker region (Southwestern Tunisia). Arab J Geosci 6, 697–710 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-011-0393-5

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