The Continental Intercalaire Aquifer in Southern Tunisia

Libyan Agriculture Research Center Journal International 3 (6): 297-306, 2012ISSN 2219-4304© IDOSI Publications, 2012DOI: 10.5829/idosi.larcji.2012.3.6.1503

Corresponding Author: Zahra Dhaoui, Laboratory of Radio–Analyses and Environment, National Engineering School of Sfax.BP1173, 3038 Sfax, Tunisia. Tel: 00 216 74 677 425. Fax: 00 216 74 275 595,

297

The Continental Intercalaire Aquifer in SouthernTunisia: Hydrogeochemical and Isotopic Investigation

Zahra Dhaoui, Friha Hadj Ammar, Kamel Zouari and Aissa Agoun1 1 1 2

Laboratory of Radio–Analyses and Environment,1

National Engineering School of Sfax, TunisiaWater Division of Kebili. BP 4200 Kebili, Tunisia2

Abstract: Our study concerns the deep Continental Intercalaire (CI) aquifer in southern Tunisia. Thisgroundwater reservoir constitutes one of the largest confined aquifers in the world. The present workinvestigates the chemical and isotopic composition of this aquifer as well as its geometry in Southern Tunisia.Indeed a great lateral extension of the aquifer and its relatively high thickness throughout the southern Tunisiawere highlighted. Also it has been shown that this aquifer is differentiated into several units of continentalformations of the Lower Cretaceous (Neocomian, Barremian, Aptian and Albian) giving rise to changes inpiezometry and lithology. In southern Tunisia, large scale groundwater flow paths are towards the Chottsregion. The main flow lines are those that continue from Algeria as well as those from the Dahar uplands.Geochemical processes occurring within groundwaters and reactions with aquifer minerals have a profoundeffect on water quality. Therefore, the assessment of the importance of such processes is essential forgroundwater resources to be properly developed for human consumption or pastoral activities. This approachis likely to be involved in our case study; indeed, the water types are dominated by Na , SO4 , Cl and Ca+ 2- - 2+

throughout most of the basin. The main source of salinity of the CI groundwaters is likely related to thedissolution of evaporitic minerals but also to the process of ionic exchange. The stable isotopes composition( O, H) confirms that the recharge of CI groundwater in southern Tunisia occurs mainly in the Dahar uplands.18 2

The depleted stable isotope composition of CI groundwater, have shown also that the CI aquifer has beenrecharged under cooler paleoclimatic conditions.

Key words: Groundwater Isotopes Recharge Palaeowaters Continental Intercalaire Southern Tunisia

INTRODUCTION With an increasing request and a rather

The CI aquifer is one of the largest confined aquifers of groundwater resources in southern Tunisia hasin the world. It is shared between Algeria, Tunisia and been a competitive request between the variousLibya and covers a surface of more than 1 million Km of economic sectors (agriculture, drinking water,2

which 700.000 Km in Algeria; 80.000 Km in Tunisia and tourism, industry) with preponderance of the2 2

250.000 Km in Libya [1]. agricultural needs.2

Together with the Complex Terminal (CT) aquifer, the The extension of irrigated zones as Rejimdeep CI forms the major aquifer system in southern Maatoug, Dhafria, Kebili, Tozeur and Gabes regionsTunisia. Indeed, the CI groundwater reservoir is contained generated the overexploitation of the CI aquifers. It isin continental formations of the Lower Cretaceous particularly in the regions of Tozeur and kebili where the(Neocomian, Barremian, Aptian and Albian), however the principal oases of the country are located, that thisCT aquifer is hosted in the upper Cretaceous and tertiary exploitation respectively reaches 93% and 98% of theformations. groundwater resources [2].

ambitious development prospects, the management

Libyan Agric. Res. Cen. J. Intl., 3 (6): 297-306, 2012

298

Fig. 1: Geological map of the study area

This exploitation has involved a total mobilisation of The climate is arid to semi arid with Saharanthe water resources of deep aquifers, a decline in water tendencies. The mean annual temperature is 21°C.quality and likely also the development of the Potential evapotranspiration exceeds 1,700hydromorphism in several irrigated perimeters. mm/year and precipitations are characterized by

Hence, it seems fundamental to better understand the their irregularity and they exceptionally exceed 100hydrodynamics and the recharge conditions for these mm/year.groundwater-resources management.

The CI aquifer has been the subject of multiple Geology and Hydrogeology: In Southern Tunisia, a largestudies. It was demonstrated that the CI aquifer consists extension of sedimentary deposits of Mesozoic age wasof several horizons with strong artesian pressure highlighted from the area of Gafsa and Chotts in the North(5-25 bars) and with temperatures from 65 to 75°C [3, 4]. to the Libyan frontier in the South [5].It has been shown that the CI water chemistry is of The Cretaceous, main objective of water wells inNa-SO -Cl composition and the mineralisation increases southern Tunisia is largely outcropping along4

along the flow lines from 1.5 to 3 g/l. Edmunds et al have Gafsa and Chotts ranges as well as in the Daharshown that the O and H values indicate a cooler upland. The lower cretaceous is characterized by18 2

recharge regime with rainfall having lower primary significant variations in facies and thicknessevaporation than today which is indicative of late extending from the saharan platform to the Chott areaPleistocene recharge. (Fig. 1).

The main objective of this paper is to provide a better This period corresponds to an episode ofunderstanding of the hydrodynamic functioning of the CI continental sedimentation continued untilaquifer based on the combination of hydrochemical and Vraco-Cenomanian [6]. Therefore, it is also known asisotopic data coupled with the analyses of the Continental Intercalaire; a succession of detritalstratigraphic settings of the study area. sediments separated by clay rich strata and gypsum

Study Area: Southern Tunisia is limited to the West by this aquifer.the Algerian border, to the East by the Dahar reliefs, to In Southern Tunisia, tectonic processes havethe North by the Chott el Gharsa and Chott el Fedjej generated several geological provinces of stratigraphicdepressions and to the South by the Algerian-libyan and structural particularities different from one provinceborder. to another:

intercalations leading to an extent of heterogeneity within


299

The Dahar upland which consists of a N-S trending shown in the Draa Djerid Ridge of a NE-SW trending as[5, 7-9]. It is located between the plain of El-Ouara in well and formed during the Alpine (Late Cretaceous-Earlythe east and the oriental Erg in the West. The Chotts Eocene) tectonic phases [7]. This ridge is a horstdepression constitutes its Northern boundary. separating the subsiding Chott el Gharsa to the NW fromThe Djeffara coastal plain which consists of a NW-SE Chott Djerid to the SE.trending [5, 8, 9] separating the Mesozoic outcrops of This structural configuration in southern Tunisiathe Dahar to the West from the Mediterranean coast leading to the individualization of horsts and grabens isto the East. It is limited by the dome of Chott el Fedjej so important in the hydrogeological scheme obviously into the North and extends to Tripoli towards the the hydraulic communications between aquifers.South. Lithostratigraphic correlation along a SE-NW crossThe Northern range of Chotts which corresponds to section has been established to study the geometry andthe Southern Atlas Saharan Mountains and consists lateral extension of the CI aquifer system, as shown inof a E-W trending [5] stretching to Chott el Fedjej Fig. 2.area towards the South and to Djerid and Nefzaoua Indeed, this cross section shows a/Great lateraltowards the West. extension of the aquifer and its relatively high thicknessThe Southern range of Chotts which corresponds to b/Disturbance of the hydrodynamic continuity within thethe Tebga of Kebili chain and constitutes also of a aquifer c/Heterogeneity of the aquifer system d/E-W trending of cretaceous age. This massif borders Differentiation of the aquifer into several levels isolatedthe Chotts of Djerid and El Fedjej to the North [5]. from each other e/Variations in the position of the roof

The Djeffara coastal plain is affected by a system of constituting the reservoir f/Deepening and thickening offaults generated by the different orogenic phases that the layers towards the Chotts region.have given rise to a structure into uplands and As shown in Figure 3, groundwater flow in the CI ofsedimentary basins. the Great Oriental Erg takes place towards a single

The overthrow faults in southern Tunisia constitute discharge area in the Gulf of Gabes and in the Chotta set of faults which consists of a NW-SE trending in region of Tunisia (Fig. 3):relay from the region of Gafsa up to Chott el Fedjej andwhich constitutes also a set of echelon faults between the SW-NE direction: the principal groundwater flow lineMatmata and the Mediterranean sea in the form of in the Continental Intercalaire comes from thestepped levels. Algerian frontier towards the discharge zone in the

This set of faults extends towards the SE across the Gulf of Gabes and in the coastal aquifer of Djeffara.faults of Ben Gerdane and Djerba Zarzis constituting The hydraulic gradient increases at El-Hamma region;therefore the continuity of the NW-SE trending faults of this explains the discharge effect through verticalEl-Hamma region whose role in the communication leakage of water of the Kebeur el Hadj series.between the CI aquifer in Chott el Fedjej and the Djeffara The fault of El-Hamma is responsible of thisaquifer of Gabes is determining. configuration which makes of the Chott el Fedjej

These faults are at the origin of the subsidence of the region the single discharge zone of the CI aquifer ineastern flank of the Djeffara dome under the Southern Tunisia [3, 13, 14].Mediterranean Sea. The most important one is the fault of SE-NW direction: this flow direction highlights theMedenine of a NW-SE trending as well. The throw of this flow line coming from the Cretaceous outcropsfault seems to increase in the range of 200m from North to located in the Dahar reliefs. Indeed, the piezometricSouth. At Matmata, it seems to reach 1000m [3]. This fault lines indicate a local recharge area of the CI aquiferextends across the coastal Djeffara plain [6]. The age of via water runoff.this tectonic activity may be reported to the end of the SSW-NNE coming from the Algerian-libyan frontierAtlasic movements (Post Oligo-Miocene) [10, 11]. towards the discharge area of the aquifer.These faults are part of a complex called the SouthTunisian accident [10]. Groundwater Chemistry: Groundwater well head

The compressive faults consist of a NE-SW trending temperatures range between 21°C in the Dahar area andwhich is pursued throughout the Quaternary period [12]. 86°C in the Djerid area. Well depths are between 124m inThe major tectonic features of these movements are the Dahar reliefs and over 2900m in the deepest part of

and the wall of the different clastic formations


300

Fig. 2: SE-NW lithostratigraphic cross section showing the structure and the extension of the CI aquifer in southernTunisia

Fig. 3: Piezometric map of the CI aquifer in Southern Tunisia (Abid, 2004. Edited [25])

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

Na(m

eq/l)

Cl (meq/l)CI Kébili CI Daher CI Djérid

Slope1

Dissolution


301

Fig. 4: Piper diagram showing some major chemical compositions of Continental Intercalaire aquifer from southernTunisia

Fig. 5: Relationship between major elements Na/Cl of the analysed groundwater samples

the basin. These two physical parameters are In this study, piper triangular diagram is used topositively correlated. Indeed, the CI groundwater obtain a preliminary geochemical characterisation throughflowing from the Dahar reliefs up to the Chott region the identification of different groundwater types, shownshows a progressive increase in temperature with the in Fig. 4.deepening of the aquifer which highlights the thermal The CI groundwaters are generally enriched in Ca andgradient in accordance to the SE-NW flow path of the Na. In terms of anion contents they are typicallyaquifer. dominated by sulphate and chloride. These anions and

The conductivity values vary between 1991µs/cm cations contents show two main groundwater typesand 9030 µs/cm. The electrical conductivity and the total Ca-SO4 and Na-Cl.dissolved solids over the study area are somewhat similar. The positive correlation between Na and Cl (Fig. 5)They show an increase from the Dahar reliefs towards the for most groundwater samples suggests that these watersdischarge area (Chott el Fedjej) [14, 15]. seem to have the same origin of mineralisation which is

+ -

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

0 10 20 30 40

Ca

(méq

/l)

SO4 (mé q/l)CI Kébili CI Daher CI Djérid

Basic

Bas ic exchangeSlope1


302

Fig. 6: Relationship between major elements Ca/SO of the analysed groundwater samples4

Fig. 7: Relationship between Ca/Mg and (Ca+Mg)/(SO4+HCO3) of the analysed groundwater samples

Halite dissolution. However, the excess of Cl with respect Most groundwater samples located in Dahar uplands-

to Na ions for some water samples is probably due to the show a progressive increase in Mg contents compared+

cation exchange process which absorb Ca on the clay to samples located in Nefzaoua and Djerid areas. These2+

fraction as Na is released [14]. relatively high contents in Mg are related to the+

This phenomenon can be also observed in the Ca dissolution of dolomitic limestones located in Dahar2+

Vs SO4 diagram (Fig. 6). This correlation shows a reliefs.Whereas, at Djerid and Nefzaoua, the increase in2-

progressive increase in Ca contents with sulphate ions Ca contents is due to the dissolution of gypsum and2+

for the most of groundwater samples except for Tozeur highlights therefore the limited effect of the dissolution ofCI2 and El Hamma CI4 samples located in the Djerid area carbonate minerals. Such an outcome is confirmed by theand also for Khouhil 5 and El Angoud samples located in relation between (Ca + Mg ) Vs (HCO + SO ) wherethe Dahar reliefs. These samples show depletion in Ca several water samples lie above the line of slope 1.2+

contents relative to SO unlike kamour SP4 and Menchia The dissolution of evaporites and the precipitation of42-

CI6 samples that show an excess in Ca versus SO . calcite are also confirmed by the saturation indexes,2+ 2-4

This correlation suggests therefore that these ions calculated with WATEQ program [15]. They show that(Ca and SO ) are the result of the dissolution of water is undersaturated with respect to Halite, saturated2+ 2-

4

gypsum (CaSO , 2H O) or anhydrite (CaSO ) across most to undersaturated with respect to gypsum and Anhydrite4 2 4

of the aquifer with however the presence of other and saturated with respect to calcite (Fig. 8).phenomena at the origin of this excess and/or Ca It is noticeable that the evolution of the majordepletion. This is probably due to cation exchange elements contents through the SE-NW flow line showsreactions in clay minerals and/or calcite precipitation. the contribution of the infiltrated rain water in the local

In order to highlight the contribution of the Mg and recharge of the CI aquifer in the Dahar upland [14, 16, 17].2+

Ca ions to the mineralisation of the CI groundwaters, we This evolution profile reveals generally a systematic2+

have established the relations Mg /Ca and (Mg + increase in the total depth, the temperature and the major2+ 2+ 2+

Ca )/ (HCO + SO ) (Fig. 7). elements contents along the flow path. The lowest values2+3 4

2+

2+

2+

2+ 2+ - 2-3 4

-1,2

-1

0,8

0,6

0,4

-0,2

00 2 4 6 8 10

FI (10-2)

CI Kébili CI Dahar CI Djérid

-7

-6,5

-6

,5

-5

-4,5

-40 2 4 6 8 10

FI (10-2)

CI Kébili CI Daher CI Djérid

-1,4

1,2

-1

0,8

0,6

0,4

0,2

0

0 2 4 6 8 10

FI (10-2)


0

0 ,1

0,2

0 ,3

0 ,4

0 ,5

0 ,6

0 ,7

0 ,8

0 ,9

0 2 4 6 8 10FI (10-2)

CI Kébili CI Dahar CI Djérid1

-1 ,5

-1

0 ,5

0

0 ,5

0 2 4 6 8 10

FI (10-2)


-0 ,2

-0 ,1

0

0 ,1

0 ,2

0 ,3

0 ,4

0 ,5

0 ,6

0 ,7

0 2 4 6 8 10

FI (10-2)



303

Fig. 8: Relationships between saturation indexes and ionic strength in the analysed groundwater samples

of salinity are measured in the CI aquifer of the Dahar area Samples collected Closest to Dahar outcrops, haveand indicate therefore the importance of these reliefs in values of O that vary from -6 to -6,5‰ vs V-SMOWthe local recharge of this reservoir. The concentration of and from -39,78 to -47,74‰ vs V-SMOW for Hthe major elements in groundwater increases in respectively. In this region the CI aquifer lies at shallowaccordance to the leaching of salts during water rock depths and high altitudes favouring therefore the runoffinteractions and in combination with the evaporation and the infiltration of rainwater. Moreover this relativelylosses [17]. enriched composition compared to the CI groundwater in

Isotopic Investigation: The measured stable isotope with most recent water from the Turonian overlyingcomposition of the CI groundwater samples is quite aquifers [22].variable. It shows a wide scatter of O and H contents. The measured stable isotopes compositions were18 2

This great variation in stable isotope composition plotted in the H/ O diagram. The Global Meteoricsuggests therefore differences in origin that are likely Water Line (GMWL) [23] and the Sfax Meteoric Waterconsidered to indicate separate flow paths and recharge Line (SMWL) defined by Maliki et al., [24], are alsoareas [17]. plotted for comparison (Fig.9).

O and H values range respectively from The composition of the CI groundwater lies slightly18 2

-6 to -8,6‰ vs V-SMOW and from -39,78 to below the GMWL, in particular for Mohsen Naili and-67,01‰ vs V-SMOW. The depleted isotopic Khouhil 5 water samples.signatures shown in the deeper groundwater of Most likely, these enriched values of the CI aquiferthe CI aquifer, typical of old water, are probably represent recent infiltration water although theyrelated to humid periods of the Late Pleistocene remain significantly depleted relative to modern rainfalland early Holocene [4, 16, 18-20]. This paleowater (the weighted mean values of precipitation for Sfaxis consistent with the negligible radiocarbon region are O -4,6‰ and H -23,3‰ vs V-SMOW,contents [23]. Maliki et al., [24].

18

2

Nefzaoua and Djerid regions suggests a mixing process

2 18

18 2

-80

-70

- 60

- 50

-40

-30

-9 -8 -7 -6 -5

δ2 H

( ‰vs

V-S

MO

W)

… 18O (‰ vs V-SMOW)

CI Nefzaoua CI Dahar CI Djérid

GMWLSMWL

Paleoclimatiwater

Recent water

Mixing effect

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

-9 -8 -7 -6 -5

Cl(

mg/

l)

… 18O (Vs SMOW)


Dissolution

Water/Rock interaction

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

-9 -8 -7 -6 -5

Ré

s

idu

sec

(mg/

l)

d 18O (Vs SMOW)


Dissolution

Mixing effect

Recent recharge


304

Fig. 9: Stable isotope composition of CI groundwatersin southern Tunisia

Fig. 10: Relationship between Cl/ O in the analyzed18

sampled water

Fig. 11: Relationship between TDS/ O in the analyzed18

sampled water

They indicate also the contribution of the Daharcretaceous outcrops to the local recharge of the CIaquifer.

In the Nefzaoua region, most groundwater samplesform an homogeneous group located below the globalmeteoric water line in the domain of old waters. Stableisotope contents in this area vary from -8,6 to -7,8‰ vsV-SMOW for O and from -60,8 to -64,2‰ vs V-SMOW18

for H.2

This depletion in stable isotope composition isprobably due to the long residence time of these waters inthe reservoir or likely seems to result of a mixing with theExtreme south groundwaters corresponding to the mostconfined part of the basin [14].

The mixing process between these differentgroundwater masses seems to be controlled by thetectonic activity and the hydraulic head differences inthese aquifers [17].

In the Djerid region, the groundwater contents ofO and H are relatively higher compared to18 2

those in Nefzaoua area. The range of values are O18

-7,79 to -7,61‰ vs V-SMOW and H -58,17 to -54,21‰2

vs V-SMOW indicating the paleoclimatic signature ofwaters.

In order to better understand processes that controlthe CI groundwaters, we studied relationships betweenisotopic compositions with Chloride content. As shownin Figure 10, we note that O contents vary along two 18

trends in relation with chloride contents. These trendsindicate that evaporation process do not contribute to thegroundwaters mineralisation of the CI aquifer. This is ingood agreement with the H/ O diagram showing no2 18

enrichment in stable isotope due to evaporation effect.However, the majority of samples which are located

in Dahar uplands demonstrate an increase in Cl contentswith the depletion in O. The non-evaporated isotopic18

signal and high chloride contents indicate a longresidence time of groundwaters in the aquifer, favouringtherefore significant water/rock interactions. Hence, the CIgroundwaters mineralization is somewhat attributed tominerals dissolution constituting the surrounding rocksmaterial.

In order to further focus on the mechanismscontrolling the CI groundwaters mineralisation insouthern Tunisia, the correlation between TDS and O18

was established on (Fig. 11). Three trends could beobserved. The first shows an increase in total dissolvedsolids (TDS) while O contents remain quite18

homogeneous. This array of sample points indicates alsothe contribution of minerals dissolution to thegroundwaters mineralisation.


305

The second trend reveals an increase in TDS which chemical and isotopic analysis. We thank the staffis coupled with an increase of O contents. It might be18

interpreted as mixing with water characterized by lowsalinity and relatively enriched O values. 18

We note that sample No.17 is characterised by lowtemperature, low depth and high O content relative to18

other samples. This well is located in southern Daharwhere the contribution of the lower cretaceous outcropsto the local recent recharge of the CI aquifer has beenproven to be significant [17].

CONCLUSION

The association of hydro-chemical methods withenvironmental tracers ( O and H) for the study of the18 2

CI aquifer in Southern Tunisia has determined thegroundwater origin, the mixing between aquifer horizonsand the geochemical evolution of the groundwater faciesfrom the Dahar outcrops (recharge area) towards the basinoutlet (Chott El Fedjej).

The hydrochemical study of the CI aquifer showsthat the water types are dominated by Na , SO , Cl and+ 2- -

4

Ca throughout most of the basin reflecting therefore the2+

abundance of evaporitic lands in this area. Thus themineralisation of water is related to the dissolution ofevaporitic minerals but also to the process of cationexchange with clay minerals.

The isotopic analyses of the CI aquifer indicate thatthis latter is exclusively formed by old water particularlyin the regions of Djerid and Nefzaoua havinghomogeneous isotopic signatures. This is explained by along residence time of water in the aquifer and itspaleorecharge under a wetter climate corresponding to thePleistocene period. However, the measured stableisotopes of the CI groundwater closest to the Daharoutcrops are more enriched. This suggests thecontribution of these outcrops in the local recharge of thisaquifer system.

Most studies of the CI aquifer generally focus onboth approaches however the use of several age tracersand the combination with reactive transport modellingtools would obviously offer a more complete picture ofsuch an aquifer system.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors wish to thank the technical staff of theLaboratory of Radio-Analyses and Environment of theNational Engineering School of Sfax (ENIS) for the

members of Kebili Water Resources Division/AgricultureMinistry.

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The Continental Intercalaire Aquifer in Southern Tunisia