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Hydrochemical and stable isotopic investigation of groundwater quality and its sustainability for irrigation in the Hammamet-Nabeul basin, northeastern Tunisia

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Abstract

The major ion hydrochemistry, sodium absorption ratio (SAR), sodium percentage, and isotopic signatures of Hammamet-Nabeul groundwaters were used to identify the processes that control the mineralization, irrigation suitability, and origin of different water bodies. This investigation highlights that groundwater mineralization is mainly influenced by water-rock interaction and pollution by the return flow of irrigation water. The comparison of groundwater quality with irrigation suitability standards proves that most parts of groundwater are unacceptable for irrigation and this long-term practice may result in a significant increase of the salinity and alkalinity in the soils. Based on isotopic signatures, the shallow aquifer groundwater samples were classified into (i) waters with depleted δ18O and δ2H contents, highlighting recharge by modern precipitation, and (ii) waters with enriched stable isotope contents, reflecting the significance of recharge by contaminated water derived from the return flow of evaporated irrigation waters. The deep-aquifer groundwater samples were also classified into (i) waters with relatively enriched isotope contents derived from modern recharge and mixed with shallow-aquifer groundwater and (ii) waters with depleted stable isotope contents reflecting a paleoclimatic origin. Tritium data permit to identify three origins of recharge, i.e., contemporaneous, post-nuclear, and pre-nuclear. Carbon-14 activities demonstrate the existence of old paleoclimatic recharge related to the Holocene and Late Pleistocene humid periods.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Laboratory of Environmental Science & Technologies, Borj Cedria, Tunisia

    Amor Ben Moussa & Sarra Bel Haj Salem

  2. Eau-membrane et Biotechnologie de l’environnement, Tunis, Tunisia

    Amor Ben Moussa

  3. High Institute of Environmental Science and Technology (HIEST) of Borj Cedria, Borj Cedria, Tunisia

    Amor Ben Moussa

  4. Laboratory of Radio-Analyses and Environment, National School of Engineers of Sfax, University of Sfax, BP 1173, 3038, Sfax, Tunisia

    Kamel Zouari

  5. Commissariat Régional au Développement Agricole de Manouba, Manouba, Tunisia

    Faycel Jelassi

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  1. Amor Ben Moussa
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  2. Sarra Bel Haj Salem
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  3. Kamel Zouari
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  4. Faycel Jelassi
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Correspondence to Amor Ben Moussa.

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Moussa, A.B., Salem, S.B.H., Zouari, K. et al. Hydrochemical and stable isotopic investigation of groundwater quality and its sustainability for irrigation in the Hammamet-Nabeul basin, northeastern Tunisia. Arab J Geosci 10, 446 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-017-3233-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-017-3233-4

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