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Groundwater potential recharge assessment in arid regions using GIS tool: case of the Medenine shallow aquifer (Southeastern Tunisia)

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Abstract

Potential recharge estimation becomes a necessity for the groundwater resource management. Nevertheless, many difficulties appear in the infiltration fraction determination. In arid and semi-arid regions, groundwater represents the main sources for sectors development (industrial, agriculture, domestic). The Medenine shallow aquifer (Southeastern Tunisia) was almost used for these purposes. It belongs to arid regions, and it is characterized by a limited groundwater recharge. In this case, the main objective of the present study is the estimation of the potential recharge areas. To attempt this aim, a synthetic approach, including (i) the thematic cartography method taking into account five parameters (lithology, slope, stream network, topography and land cover) and (ii) three numerical methods: the chloride model, the Fersi equations, and the Direction Générale des Ressources en Eaux (DGRE) coefficients, was applied. Each thematic map of all models was produced via the Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The thematic cartography method parameters were overlaid using the Raster Calculate Module of GIS tool. Obtained results show a detailed spatial distribution of potential recharge according to the different used parameters, but they neglect the precipitation parameter. Hence, application of the chloride and the FERSI equations shows a similar recharge spatial distribution with a little difference. Furthermore, the DGRE coefficient application shows the more reliable results since it considers both the rainfall and the deposit permeability. The obtained results prove that the GIS tool is a powerful tool for groundwater management and the design of a suitable exploration plan.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. LR3E, National Engineering School, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia

    Bachaer Ayed, Nadia Khlif & Salem Bouri

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  1. Bachaer Ayed
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  2. Nadia Khlif
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  3. Salem Bouri
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Correspondence to Bachaer Ayed.

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Ayed, B., Khlif, N. & Bouri, S. Groundwater potential recharge assessment in arid regions using GIS tool: case of the Medenine shallow aquifer (Southeastern Tunisia). Appl Geomat 14, 475–490 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12518-022-00444-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12518-022-00444-0

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