Geochemical Characterization of Groundwater in a Miocene Aquifer, Southeastern Tunisia

Abstract

Research Article| May 01, 2012 Geochemical Characterization of Groundwater in a Miocene Aquifer, Southeastern Tunisia FADOUA HAMZAOUI AZAZA; FADOUA HAMZAOUI AZAZA 1 Research Unit of Geochemistry and Environmental Geology, Department of Geology, Faculty of Mathematical, Physical and Natural Sciences, University Campus, 1060, Tunis, Tunisia 1Corresponding author email: fadoua_fst@yahoo.fr. Also at Modeling in Hydraulic and Environment Laboratory, National Engineers School of Tunis, Tunisia. Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar MERIEM AMEUR; MERIEM AMEUR Research Unit of Geochemistry and Environmental Geology, Department of Geology, Faculty of Mathematical, Physical and Natural Sciences, University Campus, 1060, Tunis, Tunisia Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar RACHIDA BOUHLILA; RACHIDA BOUHLILA Modeling in Hydraulic and Environment Laboratory, Bp 37, National Engineers School of Tunis, Le Belvédère 1002, Tunis, Tunisia Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar MONCEF GUEDDARI MONCEF GUEDDARI Research Unit of Geochemistry and Environmental Geology, Department of Geology, Faculty of Mathematical, Physical and Natural Sciences, University Campus, 1060, Tunis, Tunisia Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Environmental & Engineering Geoscience (2012) 18 (2): 159–174. https://doi.org/10.2113/gseegeosci.18.2.159 Article history first online: 02 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Twitter LinkedIn Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation FADOUA HAMZAOUI AZAZA, MERIEM AMEUR, RACHIDA BOUHLILA, MONCEF GUEDDARI; Geochemical Characterization of Groundwater in a Miocene Aquifer, Southeastern Tunisia. Environmental & Engineering Geoscience 2012;; 18 (2): 159–174. doi: https://doi.org/10.2113/gseegeosci.18.2.159 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyEnvironmental & Engineering Geoscience Search Advanced Search Abstract Groundwater plays a dominant role in the southern part of Tunisia. Because of the lack of permanent surface-water reservoirs owing to the harsh climate, groundwater is the principal source of freshwater. Groundwater resource assessments and sustainability considerations are required for water management. Sampling surveys were undertaken in July 2004 from 18 wells. Eighteen variables (temperature [T, °C], pH, total dissolved solids [TDS], Na+, Cl−, Ca2+, Mg2+, SO42−, K+, HCO3−, Fe3+, Mn2+, Zn2+, Al3+, Pb2+, Cr3+, Cu2+, and F−) were determined from the water samples. We applied conventional classification techniques, such as Piper diagram and scatter plots, to evaluate geochemical processes. In addition, two multi-variate statistical methods, hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal components analysis (PCA), were applied to a sub-group of the data set to evaluate their usefulness and to classify the groundwater samples. Results show that groundwater in the area is generally brackish and highly to very highly saline. The abundance of the major ions is as follows: Na+ > Ca2+ > Mg2+ > K+ = Cl− > SO42− > HCO3−. Concentrations of trace elements were low, and under the maximum recommended level for human use. PCA indentified three major factors explaining 74 percent of the total variance in water quality; the major variations are related to the degree of groundwater mineralization. HCA shows that the wells are broadly divided into three major groups based on similar groundwater characteristics. Finally, results indicate that groundwater properties are varied spatially, and groundwater evolution in the study area is generally controlled by the prevailing geochemical processes of dissolution and precipitation of salts and minerals, ion exchange, and water recharge origin. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.