Arab J Geosci

DOI 10.1007/s12517-014-1433-8

ORIGINAL PAPER

Neogene aquifer: geochemistry and structuring in the Sidi Saad

basin, central Tunisia
Faten Houatmia & Sami Khomsi & Ammar Malayah &
Mouna Andolssi & Mourad Bedir

Received: 24 December 2013 / Accepted: 21 April 2014

# Saudi Society for Geosciences 2014

Abstract The Sidi Saad basin is located in the NS axis in Introduction

central Tunisia. This zone was affected by several distension
and compression phases inducing the structuring and the Tunisia presents a water-stress country with an average of
distribution of Neogene deposits. The study area is known 486 m3 per capita of renewable water availability (Oualhazi
by the presence of important water reserves. The surface water et al. 2013) instead of the world standards of 1,000 m3 per
needs for the demographic growth and for both the agricul- capita. Water resources are unevenly distributed with around
tural and industrial sector developments. So, the exploitation 60 % located in the north of Tunisia, 22 % in the south; the
of deep aquifers reveals a vital issue in Tunisia whose water center presents the poorest region on water resources with
resources are limited. To satisfy these needs, exploration and 18 % (Gaaloul 2008). Tunisia receives an average annual
characterization of deep aquifers is necessary. The present precipitation volume of 36 Mm3. Only 4.570 Mm3 of this
study, based on hydraulic and petroleum wells’ correlation, water can be retained for exploitation; it is sub-divided into
seismic line interpretation, and hydrochemistry, addresses the 2.7 Mm3 to dripping and 1.870 Mm3 to renewal groundwater
geometry, and the hydrogeological characterization of resources (Habeib and Albergel 2001) used for domestic
Miocene-Pliocene-Quaternary reservoirs is undertaken for purposes in urban as well as rural parts of Tunisia. Apart from
the first time in Sidi Saad basin. The results highlight that such drinking use, huge quantities of groundwater, particular-
the structural framework, based on major structures, controls ly from the shallow aquifer, are used for irrigation (Ketata
the Mio-Pliocene siliciclastic deep reservoir deposits, the et al. 2011).
groundwater flow, and the sub-basin aquifer distribution. Sidi Saad basin in central Tunisia (Fig. 1), which covers
The water geochemistry study exhibits low salinities in the 919 km2, is characterized by a semi-arid climate with an
northern and the southeastern parts of the study area with annual average precipitation of 242 mm (1998–2008) (INM
different facies of Ca-HCO3 and Na-(Ca)-Cl-(SO4) and con- 2009), occurring mainly during the winter, between October
stitute an important source of drinkable and irrigation water. and January, and annual average evaporation of 1,737 mm
(1998–2008) (INM 2009).
Neogene siliciclastic deposits constitute the most important
Keywords Neogene aquifer . Hydrochemistry . Sidi Saad . multilayer aquifers in the study area, exploited for irrigation
Structure . Tunisia and drinking water supply in the Kaiouan and Sidi Bouzid
regions, they are recognized by drilling over 600 m (Fig. 3).
Exploitation water values of these layers were about 0. 54 in
F. Houatmia (*) : A. Malayah : M. Andolssi : M. Bedir
2004 to 0. 85 Mm3 in 2005 and 0.72 Mm3 in 2006. The
Georesources Laboratory, Water Research and Technology Centre,
Carthage University, Borj Cedria Ecopark, PO Box 273, current exploitation, rising to 0.79 Mm3 in 2008 (DGRE
Soliman 8020, Tunisia 2008), indicates a strong demand for groundwater, a key
e-mail: [email protected] resource for economic development in the region. This inten-
sive exploitation of groundwater resources has resulted in a
S. Khomsi
Center of Water Research and Faculty of Earth Sciences, King decrease in groundwater levels and degradation of water quality
Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (Lachaal et al. 2010; Lachaal et al. 2011a, b).
 Arab J Geosci

Neogene aquifers in the Sahel area of Kairouan (central Chérahil anticline (Ouali 2007). The heart of the Chérahil-
Tunisia) has been studied by many authors, in the Zéramdine Siouf structures is occupied by the Abiod Formation, involved
and Mahdia–Jébéniana block (Besbes 1978; Chahor 2004; in the folds oriented N10 to 20, these folds are en echellon
Chebbi 2006; Ben Ammar et al. 2009; Bessioud 2010; over a shearing accident directed at N155.
Lachaal et al. 2011a, b; Khomsi et al. 2012). This study The southeastern side of the basin shows the base of the
concerns the Sidi Saad basin located to the western part of study area, formed by the Goubrar-Khechem El Artsouma
the Sahel of Kairouan. anticlines; in this case, the Khechem marks the water logging
The evolution and the quality of these resources are influ- periclinal across the chain Goubrar. The structure Goubrar is
enced by the climatic changes and the agricultural and eco- an inverse-faulted asymmetrical fold strongly discharged to
nomic activity development (Ben Ammar et al. 2009; Lachaal the SE. Along the main fault SW-NE, the geological layers of
et al. 2010; Mlayah et al. 2011). In addition, the chemical the SE flank are verticalized and even discharged, while in the
composition of groundwater is controlled by many factors that NW side, the dip of layers is less pronounced (<45°). These
include geological structure, mineralogy of the watersheds, plunged gently to the basin of Ouled Haffouz which is a
aquifer lithology, and water-rock interaction. The compilation complex syncline structure.
of all factors leads to various water facies (Mlayah et al. 2011; The southeastern side of the basin is constituted by the
Lachaal et al. 2010, 2011a, b; Tlili et al. 2012). Goubrar-Khechem El Artsouma anticlines; in this case, the
Seismic reflection and petroleum well data are important Khechem one marks the water logging periclinal across the
investigation techniques used to study the structures of the Goubrar chain. The Goubrar structure is an inverse-faulted
basin (Larroque and Dupuy 2004; Khomsi et al. 2004a; asymmetrical fold strongly thrusting to the SE. Along the
Khomsi et al. 2004b; Bensalem et al. 2010) and to characterize main SW-NE fault, sedimentary layers of the southeastern
hydrogeological reservoirs (Zouhri et al. 2003; Bédir 1989, flank are verticalized and even thrusting, while in the NW
1995; Khomsi et al. 2004c; Gabtni et al. 2012a, b). side, the dip of layers is less pronounced (<45 °). The latter
In the present work, we used several 2D seismic reflection gently plunged to the basin of Ouled Haffouz which is a
sections and wireline logging for better defining reservoir complex syncline structure.
lithostratigraphy, geometries, and mapping the distributions Nara-Sidi Khalif anticlines are characterized by their north-
of Miocene aquifer in the Sidi Saad area. We established south orientation (Castany 1947 ). This section of the NS axis
different maps and graphical representations to classify and is formed from south to north by several anticlines in the
interpret the geochemical data in terms of mineral distribution, southern side such as a SW-NE coffred anticline of the Bouzer
Piper diagram, and the principal component analysis (PCA) and Faid, which evolves in their northern part to recumbent
for classifying the water samples into distinct groups based on folds (Haller 1983). The Jebel Sidi Khalif anticline is a frac-
their hydrochemical characteristics, this method has been tured structure with Triassic evaporating injection. Between
applied in many previous works like Ketata et al. (2011)and Sidi Khalif and Nara anticlines is located the Chaâbet El
Makni et al. (2012). Attaris anticline which is the highest point (770 m). To e
western side of the Sidi Khalif anticline, flexible structures
are represented by folds oriented NS and NW-SE with several
Geological setting angular unconformities (Delteil 1981). The eastern side has
a sharp break in slope between the anticline and the Sidi
The study area (NS axis) has a tectonic paleo-lineament of Saad-Elbehira plain (Delteil 1981). These abrupt changes
unstable rocks since the Jurassic (Burollet 1956; Ouali et al. in altitude are due to the presence of faults (Delteil 1981).
1987; Abbes and Boukadi 1988; Bédir 1995; Abbes 2004) Major strike-slip structures appear in the central part of the
(Fig. 1). This deep fracturing has progressed into major fault anticline Delteil 1981).
relays throughout the geological history until the last phase of The northern side is represented by the Touila anticline. It is
the folding of Torontonian-Villafranchian (Burollet 1956; characterized by the persistence of tectonic movements during
Abbes and Boukadi 1988; Boukadi 1994; Bédir 1995; the Cretaceous, Eocene, and Miocene tangential tectonics that
Abbes 2004), characterized by meridional direction; the com- generated a superposition of several overlapping units (Abbes
plexity of its structure is due to its position at the boundary 1983). This structure is composed by two N20 to N30 anti-
between the two geodynamic domains of the Central Atlas, clines (Rabhi 1999) separated by a large syncline.
and Pelagian block differently evolved over geological times The actual disposition of these structures is the result of a
(Ouali et al. 1987; Ouali 2007). sequence of several tectonic phases characterized either by an
The study area is characterized by a triangular form; the extensional regime; Tethyan Triassic, Jurassic, and lower Cre-
eastern side is represented by the Siouf and Chérahil anti- taceous rifting, either through a compression regime from last
clines. Siouf anticline is a small massive outcrop which is very Cretaceous to Quaternary Pyrenean, Alpine, and Atlasic
pronounced, and it is the northern closure periclinal of the phases (Truillet et al. 1981; Abbes 1983; Ouali et al. 1987;
Arab J Geosci

Fig. 1 Geological map of the

studied area and the position of
seismic sections

Boukadi 1994; Bédir 1995; Soussi 2000; Bouaziz et al. 2002; 2006. The current exploitation, rising to 0.79 Mm3 in 2008
Abbes 2004; Ouali 2007 et Zouaghi 2008). (DGRE 2008), indicates a strong demand for groundwater, a
Mio-Pliocene and Quaternary series are well-developed, key resource to economic development in the region.
formed by siliciclastic deposits of continental to deltaic and
marine environments (Bédir et al. 1996; Boujamaoui et al.
2000). Often, they are incomplete due to the erosion and tectonic Materials and methods
activity that controlled sedimentary architecture in this region.
These deposits are represented by Segui, Saouaf, and Beglia The structure and geometry of the Neogene aquifer in the Sidi
Formations. These geological formations constitute the most Saad basin were determined by interpreting 2D seismic re-
important multilayer aquifers in the study area, exploited for flection sections and wireline logging of petroleum and water
irrigation and drinking water supply in two governorates of wells. The seismic data consist of 11 seismic lines provided by
Kaiouan and Sidi Bouzid. They are recognized by drilling over the two operator companies of SEREPT and UNION TEXAS
a 600-m depth (Fig. 5). Water exploitation flow values of these (Fig. 1). They are oriented roughly north-(Na 101) well which
layers were about 0.54 to 0.85 Mm3 in 2004 and 0.72 Mm3 in intersects with seismic lines L1 and L2 (Fig. 1). Seismic

Fig. 2 Na 101 time-depth curve

 Arab J Geosci

Fig. 3 Seismic horizon

calibration in L2 with Na 101 data

horizons and facies have been tied using time-depth curve de-ionized water and again with filtered sample water before
(Figs. 2 and 3). filling it to capacity. Prior to analysis in the laboratory, the
The geochemistry part is based on 18 samples collected samples were stored at a temperature below 4 °C. Total
from cold wells (Table 1). Several analyses such as the water dissolved solids (TDS) were measured by evaporating a pre-
temperature and pH was measured using Metrohm port97i, filtered sample to dryness. Chloride was determined by the
and total alkalinity as HCO3 were carried out on site. All potentiometric method. Bicarbonates were determined by al-
samples for chemical analyses were collected in low-density kalinity dosage of sulfuric acid (H2SO4). Sulfate concentra-
polyethylene bottles and filtered in the Georesources labora- tion was measured by the gravimetric method using BaCl2.
tory through 0.45-μm membrane filters. Samples revealing Sodium and potassium concentrations were determined with a
relatively high salinity (exceeding 3 g/L) were diluted before flame photometer. Calcium and magnesium ions were deter-
analysis. Each sample was collected in two new 500-ml mined by the complexometric method using EDTA (ethylene
polyethylene bottles. All sampling bottles were washed with diamine tetraacetic acid disodium salt).

Table 1 Chemical composition of the Mio-Pliocene waters

Name No. TDS pH Ce ms/ CL− Mg2+ Ca 2+ Na+ K+ HCO3− SO42−

(g/L) Cm (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L)

Bougobrine 1 1.899 7.9 2.32 344.35 58.2 188.4 200 11.15 450 344.61
Ecol. police 2 2.011 8.3 2.81 450 76.3 150.8 277 11.78 305 326.00
Ai sidi saad 3 2.322 7.8 2.57 380 77 266.4 161 7.41 590 320.56
Zouh.azouz 4 0.824 8.4 1.33 120.7 54.9632 150.8 209 11.04 627 275.69
Ain Hallouf 5 1.015 7.8 1.58 188.15 73 116.4 211 8.74 732 281.51
M’harzia 6 1.685 8.3 2.51 480 70 140 280 6.47 417 242.68
Nourd mid 7 9.516 8.4 11.47 2,035.25 527.5008 496.4 319 34.48 305 724.00
Khaled friji 8 4.653 7.9 5.34 1,080 146.7 344 364 22.31 305 632.59
Khbina 9 3.36 8.1 4.02 575 60.2 266 284 11.09 310 497.00
Hedigoubaa 10 3.402 7.9 4.81 557 162 238.8 105 11.86 480 410.87
Mans, abbes 11 3.717 7.7 4.97 697 121 283.2 315 23.13 366 541.99
Khlaf siouf 12 2.461 8.3 3.71 400 99.7 186 387 14.20 976 476.47
Rchidhaff 13 1.625 8 2.05 440 80.256 114 200 19.00 332 287.98
Yousef abd 14 4.552 7.7 6.64 790.4 37.5 232.4 595 28.59 532 574.35
Kamel chiha 15 2.57 8.1 3.63 695.8 110.2 181.2 500 7.41 610 524.2
Kef ezzahi 16 1.46 8.1 2.21 430.15 67.77 90.8 240 16.94 332 272.92
Moncef abd 17 3.599 8 4.79 1,182.15 190.6064 159.2 561 24.59 427 497.50
Mouldiham 18 5.844 7.9 6.44 920 49.5 336.8 500 29.09 305 474.85
International standards 250 50 / 175 / 120 400
National standards 600 150 300 / / / 600

The items in italic show the international and the national standards for drinking water in major elements
Arab J Geosci

Fig. 4 Neogene correlation in north-south axis (Rabhi 1999)

Results and discussions in the northern part of the chain (Yaich 1997; Abbes
2004; Ouali 2007). They are sub-divided into three
Lithostratigraphy and reservoir levels formations.
Serravallian Beglia fluvial sandstone formation is repre-
Developed Neogene deltaic silicilastic deposits present sented by reduced thickness in the western part of the Nara-
vertical and lateral variations (Fig. 4). They are consti- Touila and Siouf anticlines (Yaïch 1984; Rabhi 1999) whereas
tuted by continental deposits with rare marine incursions the most developed layers are located in the southern part of

Fig. 5 NNW-SSE (a) and NW-SE (b) Mio-Plio-Quaternary lithostratigraphic correlation of hydraulic wells
 Arab J Geosci

Fig. 6 Seismic line (L6) interpretation (position on Fig. 1)

Fig. 7 Seismic line (L7) interpretation (position on Fig. 1)

Fig. 8 Depth map (a) and isopach time map (b) showing the morphology and the thickness distribution of the “Beglia Formation”
Arab J Geosci

Fig. 9 Depth map (a) and isopach map (b) showing the morphology and the thickness variations of the “Saouaf Formation”

the Khechem El Artsouma anticline exhibiting 200 m This is a multilayered aquifer, it contains five permeable
(Zagrarni 1999). and lenticular aquifer levels made up of sand separated by
Saouaf Formation dated Serravallian-Tortonian reveals differ- impermeable (clay) and semi-permeable (sandy clays) levels.
ent thickness varying from 15 to 20 m in the Chérahil anticline The first aquifer level crossed by all wells is formed by
and 300 m in the Bougobrine and Khechem El Artsouma once medium to coarse sands with quartz dragees, presenting a
composed by sandstones, clays, and some intercalation of lignite
with lumachellic levels characterizing a mid-shore lagoonal de-
posits (Rabhi 1999; Zagrarni 1999; Abbes 2004).
Mio-Pliocene aquifer of the Segui Formation is composed
of a complex succession of detrital sediments of sands and
conglomerates separated by clay intercalations with maximum
thickness varying between 400 m in the Kechem El Artsouma
anticline to 450 m in the east part of the basin. It’s the most
exploited aquifer in the Sidi Saad basin (Smida 2008).
The Quaternary covers almost the entire study area. It is
formed by diverse fluvial aeolian and detrital deposits, charac-
terized by a high permeability. This is an old alluvium dated
Pleistocene to Holocene composed of sandy clays, silts, gypsum
crust, sandy loams, sands, and boulders of micro-conglomerates.
The saline depression substrate of “El Behira” and “Garaat El
Majdoul” are formed by clays, silts, and gypsum (Smida 2008).

Sub-surface reservoir geometries

Hydrogeologic well correlaion

Mio-Plio-Quaternary aquifers have the largest extension,

formed by alternations of sand and clay, recognized from deep
well data over 600 m.
Deep hydraulic well correlation of NNW-SSE direction in
the eastern sector of El Behira (Fig. 5a) shows notable varia-
tion of the Segui aquifer piezometric level. It is characterized Fig. 10 Piezometric map of the Mio-Plio-Quaternary aquifer (Mansouri
by horsts and subsided zones. 1980)
 Arab J Geosci

Fig. 11 Spatial distribution map

of salinity

120-m thickness in well 19,649/4, this thickness decreases These two correlations revealed that the Mio-Plio-
to 32 m in 19,106/4 well and 80 m in the 18,301/4 well, Quaternary is a multilayered aquifer with three to six reservoir
this level does not exceed 60 m in the 7,100/5 and 6,885/ levels sandstone deposits.
5 wells (Fig. 5a). The second aquifer level is composed of
clay and fine sands with thickness ranging from 30 m in
19,649/4 well to 14 m in 19,106/4 well. The third level is
constituted by 70 m of fine sands intercalated by clayey Geometry characterization of the Mio-Pliocene reservoir
beds in the 19,106/4 well. The fourth and fifth levels are
formed by heterogeneous sand and clay with thickness The present study is the first and only study dealing with the
varying between 20 and 50 m. hydrogeological properties and identifies the geometry of
The second NW-SE deep well correlation (Fig. 5b) shows these deeper sand layer reservoirs in the Sidi Saad basin.
six aquifer levels characterized by different facies and thick- 2D seismic reflexion is one of the efficient methods to
nesses. The first one is represented in the well n° 5 constituted define the deep reservoir structures; it is used in many studies
by 120 m of sandstones, The second level is composed of fine to identify aquifer geometries (Bradford and Sawyer 2002;
and coarse sands overlain by sand with quartz dragees, with an Larroque and Dupuy 2004; Bédir et al. 2008; Gabtni et al.
average thick of 85 m in 6,921/5. The third level is a 35-m 2012a, b) using seismic line interpretations. This sub-surface
thick of fine to medium sands in the well n°7,100/5. The investigation technique allowed discovering the reservoirs’
fourth level is formed by 35 m of sandstones, intersected by structuring and their spatial distributions (isochron and iso-
the well n°6,876/4. The fifth aquifer is crossed also by the well pach maps).
n°6,876/5 and extended over 42 m of fine sand and clay. The interpretations of two seismic sections highlight two sub-
Finally, the sixth level located between the level 20 and basins (Figs. 6 (L6) and 7 (L7)). Both sections are characterized
80 m in the well n°5,657/6 is constituted by pebbles and sand by an important fault system trending NE-SW and NS with two
with some clay layers. deep-seated major faults bounding the Chérahil anticline.
Arab J Geosci

Fig. 12 Classification of the Mio-Plio-Quaternary water. a Piper diagram, b Stiff diagram

The first seismic section (Fig. 6, L6) directed NE-SW, Beglia reservoir
located in the South of the study area, crosses to the north-
eastern part the southern extremity of the Chérahil anticline Isochron and depth map show that the bottom of the Beglia
and to the southern part the Garaat El Majdoul syncline which reservoir varies from 100 to 400 m in the eastern part of the
is bordered by two deep faults. In another hand, this section basin (Fig. 8a). At the western part of the basin, it reaches
outline the Triassic salt bodies injected along a fault network 1,200 m. The thickness of the Beglia Formation horizon does
in the Rheouis and Chérahil anticlines. not exceed 100 m with an important variation towards the Sidi
In its middle part, this section shows the presence of an Saad basin (Fig. 8b).
asymmetrical syncline where the Miocene horizons present
the maximum of thicknesses and decrease towards the ex-
tremities near the faulted flanks.
In the second seismic section, Neogene horizons are more
developed in the center of Sidi Saad basin (NW part of L7
section) (Fig. 7) controlled by deep faults and syncline and
anticline structures.

Table 2 The principal component analysis results

N° Eigen value Cumulative variance

1 5.162 64,528
2 1.165 79,092
3 0.888 90,192
4 0.381 94,955
5 0.258 98,185
6 0.095 99,375
7 0.042 99,904
8 0.008 100,000 Fig. 13 Projection of variables onto the factorial plane (F1*F2)
 Arab J Geosci

Table 3 Correlation matrix 1

Variables Ce (ms/Cm) CL− (mg/L) Mg2+ (mg/L) Ca 2+(mg/L) Na+ (mg/L) K+ (mg/L) HCO3− (mg/L) SO42− (mg/L)

Ce (ms/Cmq) 1
CL− (mg/L) 0.925 1
Mg21 (mg/L) 0.769 0.846 1
Ca2+ (mg/L) 0.867 0.779 0.670 1
Na1 (mg/L) 0.446 0.460 0.043 0.181 1
K+ (mg/L) 0.812 0.783 0.526 0.614 0.534 1
HCO3− (mg/L) −0.316 −0.431 −0.213 −0.321 0.016 −0.407 1
SO42− (mg/L) 0.868 0.822 0.611 0.798 0.578 0.693 −0.171 1

Saouaf reservoir and geometric structure (Zouhri 2001; Kamel et al.

2005).
Depth map of the top of Saouaf reservoir illustrates an
important depth variation. The north-east is characterized
by a low depth of 100 m; however, to the Western part, Hydrodynamics and structural control on the piezometry
we can find a depth of 10 times more important (Fig. 9a),
this structuring influences the thickness distribution; it Based on previous works (Mansouri 1980; Smida 2008),
goes from 50 m in the high zone to 500 m in the gutter the piezometric map shows a centripetal flow. Ground-
in the center in the eastern and western parts of the study water level lines present two hydraulic compartments
area (Fig. 9b). separated by a NE-SW watershed line (Fig. 10). This
To complete the hydrogeological aquifer study, hydrodynam- groundwater has several alimentation origins as a direct
ic characterization is used to follow the spatial piezometric feed from meteoric waters, oued Zeroud, and the neigh-
behavior and also to determine groundwater flow (Edet and boring groundwater tables. The Sabkhet El Behira and
Okereke 2002; Ayenew et al. 2008; Mjemah et al. 2009). Garâat El Majdoul constitute the main outlets of the
Groundwater chemistry may trace the water origin and aquifer. In addition, this map exhibits a piezometry
water-rock interactions (Mennani et al. 2001; Dindane decrease towards the north from 250 m near oued
et al. 2003). Therefore, both of the hydrodynamic and Zeroud to 190 and 180 m in the south near Garâat El
geochemical properties are related to lithologic facies Majdoul.

Fig. 14 Projection of samples

onto the factorial plane (F1*F2)
Arab J Geosci

Fig. 15 Chloride distribution

map

Fig. 16 Sodium distribution map

 Arab J Geosci

Fig. 17 Sulfate distribution map

Hydrochemistry it shows that the dominant cations are mainly calcium and
sodium, while the dominant anions are sulfates, bicarbonates,
Eighteen samples were collected from cold wells (Table 1). The and chlorides. The sum of cations and anions shows three
quality of the analyses was evaluated using the ion balance (IB), main groundwater types Na-Cl-Ca-HCO3—Ca-SO4.
and only samples with IB=±5 % were considered. The piper diagram shows that the waters from the wells
located in the southwest and in the center of the basin are
Salinity distribution situated close to the Na-Cl vertex. Probably due to the
leaching of evaporitic minerals from El Behira sebkha, Garaat
The chemical composition of the waters is given in Table 1, Elmajdoul, and Rhouis triassic outcrops.
total dissolved solid values are ranging between 0.8 and 9.5 g/ However, the waters from wells situated in the northern and in
L. The spatial distribution map (Fig. 11) shows that salinity the eastern part of the studied area are Ca-HCO3 and Na-(Ca)-
values increase from north to south, corresponding to the main Cl-(SO4) mixed possibly due to the presence not only of chloride
groundwater flow direction. This salinity increase could be minerals but also of gypsum and or anhydrite (CaSO4) in the
explained by a longer contact time with rocks during water aquifer, and carbonates in Chérahil and Nara-Sidi Khalif outcrops.
circulation (Bouhlassa and Aicahi 2004; Lachaal et al. 2011a, The same differentiation was evidenced by the stiff dia-
b). Wells showing high salinity (around 9 g/L in well no. 7) in gram, water samples can be separated also into main groups:
the southern area could be explained by the reservoir lithology
dominated by clay and gypsum. All water samples exhibited a – Group I—represented by sample numbers 2, 7, 15, 16, 17,
pH between 6 and 8 (Table 1). 18 situated in the south and the center of the basin near the
Sabkha and Triassic outcrops, the Cl−, SO42−, Na+, and
Mg2+ concentrations that represent the most abundant ions
Hydrochemical facies increase in the direction of water flow (from north to south).
– Group II—Samles from wells located in the north and the
Piper and stiff diagrams were generated using Diagram soft- southeast (1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, and 12) are characterized by
ware (Simler 2000). A piper diagram is given in Fig. 12a, and a low TDS and important increase and abundance in Ca2+
Arab J Geosci

Fig. 18 Potassium distribution

map

and HCO3− concentrations compared to the first group. Factor (F1) explains more than 64.528 % of total
This result is related with lithology of traversed levels and variance (Table 2) and contains large loading on Cl−,Ca2+,
the carbonate dissolution in the Chérahil and Nara-Sidi K+, SO42−, Mg2+, and TDS (Fig. 13). It represents the
Khlif outcrops. weathering of halite and evaporates minerals from the
underlying geology.
Factor (F2) contributes to 79.092 % of the total vari-
Origin of groundwater mineralization ance and is strongly associated with Na+ and HCO3−
(Fig. 13).
The multivariate statistical analysis is a quantitative and de- The scores of variables and observations onto the two
pendent approach of groundwater classification allowing the principal component axes are plotted in Fig. 13, which enable
grouping of samples and making correlations between chem- identification of several processes of water mineralization.
ical parameters and groundwater. The contents of chlorides, potassium, calcium, magnesium,
Correlation coefficient is a commonly used measure to and sulfates are significantly positively correlated to salinity in
establish the relation between independent and dependent all waters. Magnesium and chlorides are correlated with a
variables (Nair et al. 2005). coefficient of 0.846 (Table 3), they have a common natural
Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed on a origin that would be mainly the dissolution of the dolomite.
data set of 18 samples and the eigen values and the percentage Also, the SO4 and the Ca have a correlation coefficient of
of the variance explained by each eigen factor listed in Table 2. 0.798, indicating that the origin is the dissolution of gypsum
Two principal components or factors (eigen value) explaining or anhydrite (CaSO4).
79.092 % of the variance or information contained in the Individual representation (samples) in the first factorial
original data set was retained which is sufficient to give a plan (F1, F2) classifies the water in two different groups
good idea of the data structure. (Fig. 14).
 Arab J Geosci

Fig. 19 Calcium distribution

map

– A group representing the trend of halite and gypsum groundwater flow direction. Chlorides are not complexed with
dissolution essentially for CI water situated around the different components of ground and remain in solution. These
sebkha and near the Triassic outcrops. anions are typically used as tracers identifying the direction of
– A group representing the trend of dolomite and bicarbon- groundwater flow (Weil et al. 1990). Comparing with interna-
ate dissolution essentially for wells located in the north of tional standard values (250 mg/L), chloride concentrations are
the studied area and around cretaceous and Jurassic out- high, but it obeys to the national standards of drinkable waters
crops (Chérahil and Nara-Sidi Khalif anticlines). (600 mg), in some wells.

Sodium

Spatial distribution of major elements and interpretation Sodium distribution map (Fig. 16) shows the same trend as the
of the mineralization salinity and chlorides, sodium concentrations vary from
105 mg/L (well N° 10) to 595 mg/L (well n° 16). This
Chlorides phenomena is attributed to cationic exchange, so this change
in facies is the result of common exchange reactions which are
Chloride distribution map (Fig. 15) shows an important vari- in the groundwater flow between the Ca2+, Mg2+ in solution
ation between 120, 7, and 2,035 mg/L. Indeed, low levels are and the Na+ strongly absorbed by clay and organic matter and
located in the northern (around oued Zeroud) and southeast where ions bivalent tending to replace the monovalent ions
part of the basin. Important concentrations are situated in the (Mlayah et al. 2011). This continent is higher than interna-
center (near Sebkhet El Behira) and in the southwest part of tional standards of drinkable waters (175 mg/L) except for
the plain where Garâat El Majdoul is located. This result wells N° 10 (mg/L) and 3 (161 mg/L). Na+ and Cl− correlation
shows that the chloride concentrations increase with the shows a lower coefficient determination (0.46) (Table 3). This
Arab J Geosci

Fig. 20 Bicarbonate distribution

map

value indicates that sodium and chloride have different Calcium

origins.
Calcium distribution map shows an important variability from
Sulfates north to south (Fig. 19), it has an average between 90.8 and
496 mg/L. Calcium concentration is higher than the national
Sulfate values (Fig. 17) vary between 242 mg/L around of standards of drinkable water (300 mg/L) for some wells, n° 7,
oued Zeroud and 724 mg/L near El Behira Sebkhet. The 8, and 18 located near Garâat El Majdoul and El Behira
sulfate content in groundwater are specified in Tunisia to a Sebkha. Calcium ion has two origins, the first one is due to
value of 600 mg/L (Benalaya et al. 2009); according to this the leaching of outcrop carbonates (limestone of Cretaceous
value, most of the wells may be used as drinkable water wells and Eocene), the second is the dissolution of gypsum in
except for wells number 7 and 8. These high concentration Sebkhet El Behira, Garâat El Majdoul, and Triassic evaporites
levels of sulfates can be explained by the infiltration of irriga- in Rheouis outcrop, it can also be the cation exchange between
tion and leaching of sulfate-rich water unsaturated layers. So calcium and sodium.
backwaters’ irrigation loaded, and lagoon waters are causing
the increase in sulfates of the aquifer.
Bicarbonates
Potassium
Bicarbonate map shows different distribution comparing with
Potassium concentration map (Fig. 18) shows an important chlorides and Sodium (Fig. 20). The minimum value is
variation between 6.47 and 34.48 mg/L. The highest value is 305 mg/L located in the southern part of the study area on
recorded at the well n° 7 located on the south side of Garâat El the other side; maximum value (976 mg/L) is situated in the
Majdoul. Potassium concentration is higher than international southeast, probably due to the dissolution of carbonate rocks
standards, these values canbe explained by cation exchange (limestones of Cretaceous and Eocene of Chérahil anticline).
(Na+, K+); the main sources of potassium are fertilizers and Concentrations of this ion are higher than international stan-
chemical fertilizers used in agriculture. dards of drinkable water (does not exceed 120 mg/L).
 Arab J Geosci

Fig. 21 Magnesium distribution

map

Magnesium Structural isochron and isopach time and depth maps of

Beglia and Saouaf Formations indicate that framework faults
Magnesium concentration distribution map (Fig. 21) indicates control the structure of aquifers.
an important variation from 37.5 to 527 mg/L. International Sub-surface mapping of the top Beglia horizon aquifer al-
standards for drinkable water are set at 50 mg/L, however they lows specifying the existence of two sub-basins to the east and
are 150 mg/L for national standards. to the center of the sector with important thicknesses. The most
This large concentrations’ variability involves three important one is located in the southern extremity of the
sources of magnesium. The first one is the dissolution of Chérahil anticline where the depth of the top Beglia does not
carbonates. The second origin may be bonded to magnesium exceed −400 m with 100 m of thickness. The isochrons and
released as a result of exchange with sodium. The third source thickness maps of Saouaf reservoir show three sub-basins, the
is the infiltration of salt water from the lagoons rich in mag- potential one is situated to the SE of the studied area with 220 m
nesium and especially the leaching of Triassic outcrops of of depth and an important thickness ranging from 50 to 200 m.
Jebel Rheouis locally and the north-south axis. The SE area of the sector presents the most convenient
zone as exploration and exploitation target for the Mio-
Pliocene aquifer for the abundance of the Beglia and Saouaf
Conclusion reservoir sandy levels, low salinities, and low depths. Further-
more, an exploration area is viewed and identified on seismic
A set of different data including high-resolution 2D seismic sections located between the El Behira and Garâat El Majdoul
sections, wireline-logging wells data, borehole piezometry, zones corresponding to a sub-surface faulted anticline control-
outcropping structures, and geochemistry analysis led to char- ling the groundwater sub-divisions. The reservoirs of these
acterize the tectonic framework and its relationships with the anticlines seem to be recharged directly from a surface
geometry of the deep aquifers seated in Mio-Pliocene sub- through dense sub-cropping fractures.
surface reservoirs in central Tunisia in the Sidi Saad area, The groundwater flow is characterized by a centripetal
which has an important exploitation. direction with several alimentation origins as a direct feed
Arab J Geosci

from meteoric waters. The Sabkhet El Behira and Garâat El Bensalem MS, Ghanmi M, Zargouni F (2010) Genesis of folds in external
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