Jamila Tarhouni

Modeling and Analysis of Seawater Intrusion in the Coastal Aquifer of Eastern Cap-Bon, Tunisia

A numerical model that treats density-dependent variably saturated flow and miscible salt transport is used to investigate the occurrence of seawater intrusion in the ‘Korba’ aquifer of the eastern coast of Cap-Bon in northern Tunisia. We examine the interplay between pumping regimes and recharge scenarios and its effect on the saline water distribution. More localized simulations are used to examine, in vertical cross sections, the effects of well location and soil type and the role of the vadose zone in possible remediation actions. The exploratory simulations suggest interesting interactions between the unsaturated zone and the saltwater–freshwater interface with possible implications for groundwater exploitation from shallow unconfined coastal aquifers, involving in one case feedback between seawater intrusion and the high pressure head gradients around the pumping-induced drawdown cone and in another case threshold-like interface displacement for tight soils such as clays. The data processing steps undertaken in this GIS and modeling study are described in some detail, and a critical assessment is given of the data availability and of the requirements for successful monitoring and modeling of seawater intrusion risks in heavily exploited coastal aquifers such as those found in the semi-arid regions of the Mediterranean basin. It is shown how, with the aid of GIS, reasonably reliable information can be assembled from maps, surveys, and other sources of geospatial and hydrogeological data, an approach that is necessary in the many regions of the world with acute water resource problems but with limited means for undertaking systematic data acquisition and environmental monitoring actions. Nonetheless the need for more concerted monitoring of relevant parameters and processes and of closer coordination between monitoring and modeling is stressed. An idea of the extent of over-exploitation of the Korba aquifer is obtained by examining the pumping and rainfall/infiltration data, and the simulation results support groundwater pumping as the mechanism for and seawater intrusion as the origin of the salt contamination observed in the soils and subsurface waters of the Korba plain.

Implementation of a 3-D groundwater flow model in a semi-arid region using MODFLOW and GIS tools: The Zéramdine-Béni Hassen Miocene aquifer system (east-central Tunisia)

In this work, an integrated methodology was developed to investigate hydrological processes in Zeramdine-Beni Hassen Miocene aquifer and to validate the groundwater proprieties deduced from the geological, geophysical, hydrodynamic and hydrochemical studies done in the region, using the coupling of groundwater flow model MODFLOW 2000 code with Geographic Information System tools. A 3-D groundwater flow model was developed for this aquifer using a large amount of available geological and hydrological data. The groundwater flow model was calibrated and validated with datasets during the 1980-2007 period. The results show that the ZBH aquifer exhibits the highest sensibility to changes of water infiltration and hydraulic conductivity. The model simulation shows a good degree of understand to the aquifer hydrogeology. The model can be regarded as a useful tool for analyzing the hydrological processes for complex groundwater that have similar geological and hydrogeological conditions and will help to propose a management rescue plan for the studied aquifer, especially for aquifer characterization in arid and semi arid regions.

Grid-enabled Monte Carlo analysis of the impacts of uncertain discharge rates on seawater intrusion in the Korba aquifer (Tunisia)

Abstract The Korba aquifer, located in the north of Tunisia, suffers heavily from salinization due to seawater intrusion. In 2000, the aquifer was exploited from more than 9000 wells. The problem is that no precise information was recorded concerning the current extraction rates, their spatial distribution, or their evolution in time. In this study, a geostatistical model of the exploitation rates was constructed based on a multi-linear regression model combining incomplete direct data and exhaustive secondary information. The impacts of the uncertainty on the spatial distribution of the pumping rates on seawater intrusion were evaluated using a 3-D density-dependent groundwater model. To circumvent the large amount of computing time required to run transient models, the simulations were run in a parallel fashion on the Grid infrastructure provided by the Enabling Grid for E-Science in Europe project. Monte Carlo simulations results showed that 8.3% of the aquifer area is affected by input uncertainty. Citation Kerrou, J., Renard, P., Lecca, G. & Tarhouni, J. (2010) Grid-enabled Monte Carlo analysis of the impacts of uncertain discharge rates on seawater intrusion in the Korba aquifer (Tunisia). Hydrol. Sci. J. 55(8), 1325–1336.

Hydrogeochemistry and groundwater salinization in an ephemeral coastal flood plain: Cap Bon, Tunisia

Abstract The Wadi Al Ayn plain is a coastal system on the eastern coast of Cap Bon in northeastern Tunisia. The area is known for its intensive agriculture, which is based mainly on groundwater exploitation. The aim of this study is to identify the sources of groundwater salinization in the Wadi Al Ayn aquifer system and deduce the processes that drive the mineralization. Surface water and groundwater samples were taken and analysed for major ions and stable isotopes. The geochemical data were used to characterize and classify the water samples based on a variety of ion plots and diagrams. Stable isotopes are useful tools to help us understand recharge processes and to differentiate between salinity origins. The oilfield brines infiltrated from the sandy bed of Wadi Al Ayn comprise the main source of groundwater salinization in the central part of the plain, while seawater intrusion is mainly responsible for the increased salinity in the groundwater of the coastal part of the plain (at Daroufa). Citation Chekirbane, A., Tsujimura, M., Kawachi, A., Isoda, H., Tarhouni, J., and Benalaya, A., 2013. Hydrogeochemistry and groundwater salinization in an ephemeral coastal flood plain: Cap Bon, Tunisia. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 58 (5), 1097–1110.

GIS-based subsurface databases and 3-D geological modeling as a tool for the set up of hydrogeological framework: Nabeul–Hammamet coastal aquifer case study (Northeast Tunisia)

The subsurface data are a basic requirement for the set up of hydrogeological framework. Geographic information systems (GIS) tools have proved their usefulness in hydrogeology over the years which allow for management, synthesis, and analysis of a great variety of subsurface data. However, standard multi-layered systems are quite limited for modeling, visualizing, and editing subsurface data and geologic objects and their attributes. This paper presents a methodology to support the implementation of hydrogeological framework of the multi-layered aquifer system in Nabeul–Hammamet (NH) coastal region (NE, Tunisia). The methodology consists of (1) the development of a complete and generally accepted hydrogeological classification system for NH aquifer system (2) the development of relational databases and subsequent GIS-based on geological, geophysical and hydrogeological data, and (3) the development of meaningful three-dimensional geological and aquifer models, using GIS subsurface software, RockWorks 2002. The generated 3-D geological models define the lithostratigraphy and the geometry of each depositional formation of the region and delineate major aquifers and aquitards. Where results of the lithologic model revealed that there is a wide range of hydraulic conductivities in the modeled area, which vary spatially and control the groundwater flow regime. As well, 17 texturally distinct stratigraphic units were identified and visualized in the stratigraphic model, while the developed aquifer model indicates that the NH aquifer system is composed of multi-reservoir aquifers subdivided in aquifers units and separated by sandy clay aquitards. Finally, this study provides information on the storing, management and modeling of subsurface spatial database. GIS has become a useful tool for hydrogeological conceptualization and groundwater management purposes and will provide necessary input databases within different groundwater numerical models.

Comprehension and hydrogeological conceptualization of aquifer in arid and semi-arid regions using integrated hydrogeological information system: case of the deep aquifer of Zéramdine-Béni Hassen (east-central Tunisia)

In arid and semi-arid regions, the groundwater overexploitation caused drawdown in piezometric levels and a degradation of chemical water quality. That is why the groundwater monitoring needs a good comprehension of the hydrogeological aquifer properties. This is specially the case of Zéramdine–Béni Hassen deep aquifer (east-central Tunisia). Seismic profiles interpretation highlights the existence of the Zéramdine fault corridor, the Boumerdès anticline, the Moknine and Mahdia grabens that represent lateral boundaries for the study aquifer. The outcrop of the aquifer is located in the Zéramdine, Béni Hassen and Ain Ben Jannet regions, where two lithostratigraphic sections were realized. The piezometric study shows that the principal groundwater flow is from west to east. A secondary flow is from NW to SE. The hydrochemical study of 22 sample shows that the aquifer is characterized by freshwater, dominated by Na–Ca–Cl–SO4 facies. The salinity increase is from the west to the east, which coincides with the principal water flow direction. The integration of all results deduced from the hydrogeophysic, hydrodynamic and hydrochemical studies is developed to investigate hydrological processes of Zéramdine–Béni Hassen aquifer and consequently to propose a conceptual model, which will help to propose a rescue plan for the studied aquifer and to implement a spatial hydrogeological database using the global information system and then to characterize the complex aquifer system.

Environmental risk assessment of groundwater quality and treated wastewater reuse on aquifer recharge: a case study in Korba, Tunisia

AbstractWater resources associated with the Mediterranean arid to semiarid environment in Tunisia are at risk of degradation in terms of quantity and quality, especially due to groundwater overexploitation. Therefore, the reuse of treated wastewater (TWW) for the artificial recharge of groundwater has been implemented as an alternative, particularly in Korba coastal area of Tunisia. The aim of the current study was to assess the environmental risk of the groundwater quality as well as the reuse of TWW for Korba local aquifer recharge. On one hand, results showed high levels of chloride, ammonia, and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) in the TWW and high electrical conductivity, nitrate, chloride concentrations, and SAR in groundwater. Heavy metal concentrations were commonly under the detection limit. On the other hand, groundwater was contaminated with pesticides. Environmental risk monitoring of TWW is fundamental to assess its safety reuse on the aquifer recharge and in presenting a coastal barrier against ...

Modelling of Tracer Movement with Avection-Dispersion Scheme at the LaSalle Beauvais Experimental Site, Beauvais, France

Modelling of Tracer Movement with Avection-Dispersion Scheme at the LaSalle Beauvais Experimental Site, Beauvais, France In order to understand the tracer transport in a contaminant plume arising from an injection well in the Chalk aquifer, underground field experiments at the LaSalle Beauvais experimental site (France) was hydrogeological investigated and analysed by means of analytical and numerical approaches. Both advection and diffusion mechanisms are taken into account. We use an analytical solution for describing one-dimensional solute transport in a unidirectional steady-state flow tracer with scaledependent dispersion. Comparison between the breakthrough curves of the analytical and the numerical solutions shows excellent agreement for various ranges of scale-related transport parameters of interest.

Water reservoir as resource of raw material for ceramic industry

The industries related to the ceramics such as construction bricks, pottery and tile are the important sectors that cover the large part of the working population in Tunisia. The raw materials, clay or silt are excavated from opencast site of limestone clay stratum. The opencast site give the negative impact on landscape and environment, risks of landslide, soil erosion etc. On the other hand, a most serious problem in water resource management, especially in arid land such as Tunisia, is sedimentation in reservoirs. Sediment accumulation in the reservoirs reduces the water storage capacity. The authors proposed the exploitation of the sediment as raw material for the ceramics industries in the previous studies because the sediment in Tunisia is fine silt. In this study, the potential of the water reservoirs in Tunisia as the resource of the raw material for the ceramics industries is estimated from the sedimentation ratio in the water reservoirs.

Estrogenic Potency Assessments in a Context of Treated Wastewater Reuse for Artificial Groundwater Recharge

The aim of the current study was to assess the environmental safety of the reuse of treated wastewater (TWW) for Korba local aquifer recharge. TWW and Groundwater quality screening for estrogenic potency using in vitro bioassays is crucial given the negative impacts induced by endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) on human health and aquatic organisms. Current screening of estrogenic activity using E-screen assay revealed the presence of EDCs in TWW and groundwater samples.