Hydrochemistry and stable isotopes (δ 18 O and δ 2 H) tools applied to the study of karst aquifers in Southern Mediterranean basin (Teboursouk area, NW Tunisia)

Ayadi, Y., Mokadem, N., Besser, H., Khelifi, F., Harabi, S., Hamad, A., Boyce, A. , Laouar, R. and Hamed, Y. (2018) Hydrochemistry and stable isotopes (δ 18 O and δ 2 H) tools applied to the study of karst aquifers in Southern Mediterranean basin (Teboursouk area, NW Tunisia). Journal of African Earth Sciences, 137, pp. 208-217. (doi: 10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2017.10.018)

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Abstract

Karst aquifers receive increasing attention in Mediterranean countries as they provide large supplies water used for drinkable and irrigation purposes as well as for electricity production. In Teboursouk basin, Northwestern Tunisia, characterized by a typical karst landscape, the water hosted in the carbonates aquifers provides large parts of water supply for drinkable water and agriculture purposes. Groundwater circulation in karst aquifers is characterized by short residence time and low water-rock interaction caused by high karstification processes in the study area. Ion exchange process, rock dissolution and rainfall infiltration are the principal factors of water mineralization and spatial distribution of groundwater chemistry. The present work attempted to study karstic groundwater in Teboursouk region using hydrochemistry and stable isotopes (δ18O and δ2H) tools. Karst aquifers have good water quality with low salinity levels expressed by TDS values largely below 1.5 g/l with Ca-SO4-Cl water type prevailing in the study area. The aquifers have been recharged by rainfall originating from a mixture of Atlantic and Mediterranean vapor masses.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Boyce, Professor Adrian
Authors: Ayadi, Y., Mokadem, N., Besser, H., Khelifi, F., Harabi, S., Hamad, A., Boyce, A., Laouar, R., and Hamed, Y.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre
Journal Name:Journal of African Earth Sciences
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:1464-343X
ISSN (Online):1879-1956
Published Online:27 October 2017
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2017 Elsevier
First Published:First published in Journal of African Earth Sciences 137:208-217
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

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