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)

Abstract

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 Zeramdine–Beni Hassen deep aquifer (east-central Tunisia). Seismic profiles interpretation highlights the existence of the Zeramdine fault corridor, the Boumerdes anticline, the Moknine and Mahdia grabens that represent lateral boundaries for the study aquifer. The outcrop of the aquifer is located in the Zeramdine, Beni 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 Zeramdine–Beni 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.