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Geophysical and hydrogeological investigation to study the aquifer potential of northern Gafsa basin (central Tunisia)

Arabian Journal of Geosciences volume 15, Article number: 433 (2022) Cite this article

Abstract

An integrated hydrogeological and geophysical survey was carried out to determine the geometry and the lateral extent of potential hydrogeological units in Gafsa North. The layering parameters (resistivity and thickness) were obtained from the interpretations of electrical resistivity survey using the vertical electrical sounding technique and the available data; gamma ray and formation resistivity logs of the existing wells were used to establish geoelectrical cross-sections. However, seismic section permitted to delineate the subsurface geometry of the basin. The geoelectrical cross-sections indicated three main geological units: Plio-Quaternary, Miocene, and Upper Cretaceous exhibiting lateral facies and thickness variations. Piezometric map shows that groundwaters flow from north to south suggesting a general lowering of the groundwater table level toward the south, which can be attributed to the over-exploitation of groundwater to satisfy the increased demand subsequent to the development of agricultural activities. The amount of clays within the Plio-Quaternary aquifer increases from north to south and influences the groundwater flow in the basin. The hydrodynamics is also predisposed to the subsurface structural configuration of the basin controlled by inherited tectonics such folding and faulting.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Sciences of Gafsa, University of Gafsa, Sidi Ahmed Zarroug, 2112, Gafsa, Tunisia

    Mouez Gouasmia, Abdelkader Mhamdi & Ferid Dhahri

  2. Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, LR18ES07: Sedimentary Basins and Petroleum Geology, University of Tunis El Manar, El Manar II, 2092, Tunis, Tunisia

    Mouez Gouasmia, Abdelkader Mhamdi & Mohamed Soussi

  3. Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, Geomaterials and Geo-Digital, University of Tunis El Manar, El Manar II, LR18ES37: Geodynamics, 2092, Tunis, Tunisia

    Ferid Dhahri

  4. Water Resources Division, 2100, Gafsa, Tunisia

    Lahmadi Moumni

Authors
  1. Mouez Gouasmia
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  2. Abdelkader Mhamdi
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  3. Ferid Dhahri
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  4. Lahmadi Moumni
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  5. Mohamed Soussi
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Correspondence to Mouez Gouasmia.

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Responsible Editor: Selvam Sekar

This paper was selected from the 3rd Conference of the Arabian Journal of Geosciences (CAJG), Tunisia 2020

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Gouasmia, M., Mhamdi, A., Dhahri, F. et al. Geophysical and hydrogeological investigation to study the aquifer potential of northern Gafsa basin (central Tunisia). Arab J Geosci 15, 433 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-022-09666-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-022-09666-3

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