Hidrologia: Pesquisa Atual

Determination the Origin of Mineralization in the Coastal Aquifer Northeast Tunisia by Isotopic Method

Abstract

Mzoughi Aroua, Ben Hamouda Mohamed Fethi and Bouhlel Salah

A geochemical and isotopic techniques were undertaken to characterize groundwater in Northeast Tunisia. Hydrogeochemical investigations demonstrated that groundwater can be classified into different water facies. The Ras Djebel-RafRaf aquifer showed a (Ca-Cl-SO4) and (Na-Cl-NO3) water type. Data inferred from 18O and deuterium isotopes in groundwater samples indicated recharge with modern rainfall. Water characterized by lower δ18O and δ2H values is interpreted as recharged by non-evaporated rainfall originating from Mediterranean air masses from Mediterranean air masses at higher altitude. However, water with relatively enriched δ18O and δ2H contents is thought to reflect the occurrence of an evaporation process related to the long-term practice of flood irrigation.