Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Assessment of Groundwater Vulnerability to Nitrate Contamination Using an Improved Model in the Regueb Basin, Central Tunisia

  • Published:
Water, Air, & Soil Pollution Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In recent years, Regueb basin has been facing groundwater quality degradation due to the excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides, which is the result of strong agricultural activities. Physicochemical elements (TDS, NO3−) and several factor types (geologic, hydrogeologic, and geomorphologic) were used in this study. The weighted model (TDLFSGC) was used to determine the groundwater vulnerability index (VI) to the pollution which is subsequently validated by Pearson correlation with nitrate concentrations. The results show that the TDS in groundwater ranged between 1.19 and 16.92 g/L and the NO3− concentrations varied from 150 to 920 mg/L. The vulnerability map generated using GIS shows three classes of VI in the study area, namely low (31.5–60), moderate (60–75), and high (75–13). The validation of the vulnerability model revealed a good correlation with NO3− and provided a high discretization of the groundwater vulnerability from anthropogenic pollution. This approach implies that more efforts should be taken to preserve the groundwater of the Regueb basin from contamination. And it could be used as a tool for water resource management in the future in similar regions.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9

Similar content being viewed by others

Data Availability

All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article (and its supplementary information files).

References

  • Abdalla, F. (2012). Mapping of groundwater prospective zones using remote sensing and GIS techniques: A case study from the Central Eastern Desert, Egypt. Journal of African Earth Sciences, 70, 8–17.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Abdelkarim, B., Telahigue, F., & Agoubi, B. (2022). Assessing and delineation of groundwater recharge areas in coastal arid area southern Tunisia. Groundwater for Sustainable Development, 18, 100760.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ahada, C. P. S., & Suthar, S. (2018). Groundwater nitrate contamination and associated human health risk assessment in southern districts of Punjab, India. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 25(25), 25336–25347.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ahmad, W., Iqbal, J., Nasir, M. J., Ahmad, B., Khan, M. T., Khan, S. N., & Adnan, S. (2021). Impact of land use/land cover changes on water quality and human health in district Peshawar Pakistan. Scientific Reports, 11(1), 1–14.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aksever, F., Karaguzel, R., & Mutluturk, M. (2014). Evaluation of groundwater quality and contamination in drinking water basins: A case study of the Senirkent-Uluborlu basin (Isparta-Turkey). Environment and Earth Science, 73, 1281–1293. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-014-3483-3

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Albuquerque, T., Roque, N., Rodrigues, J., Antunes, M., & Silva, C. (2021). DRASTICAI, a new index for groundwater vulnerability assessment-A Portuguese case study. Geosciences, 2021(11), 228. https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences11060228

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aller, L., Bennett, T., Lehr, J. H., Petty, R. J., & Hackett, G. (1987). DRASTIC: A standardized system for evaluating ground water pollution potential using hydrogeological settings (p. 455). US Environmental Protection Agency.

    Google Scholar 

  • Batsaikhan, B., Yun, S. T., Kim, K. H., Yu, S., Lee, K. J., Lee, Y. J., & Namjil, J. (2021). Groundwater contamination assessment in Ulaanbaatar City, Mongolia with combined use of hydrochemical, environmental isotopic, and statistical approaches. Science of the Total Environment, 765, 142790.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Besser, H., & Hamed, Y. (2019). Causes and risk evaluation of oil and brine contamination in the Lower Cretaceous Continental Intercalaire aquifer in the Kebili region of southern Tunisia using chemical fingerprinting techniques. Environmental Pollution, 253, 412–423. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2019.07.020

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Besser, H., Mokadem, N., Redhaounia, B., Hadji, R., Hamad, A., & Hamed, Y. (2018). Groundwater mixing and geochemical assessment of low-enthalpy resources in the geothermal field of southwestern Tunisia. Euro-Mediterranean Journal for Environmental Integration, 3(1), 16. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41207-018-0055-z

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boumaza, B., Chekushina, T. V., Vorobyev, K. A., & Schesnyak, L. E. (2021a). The heavy metal pollution in groundwater, surface and spring water in phosphorene mining area of Tebessa (Algeria). Environmental Nanotechnology, Monitoring & Management, 16, 100591. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enmm.2021.100591

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Boumaza, B., Kechiched, R., & Chekushina, T. V. (2021). Trace metal elements in phosphate rock wastes from the Djebel Onk mining area (Tébessa, eastern Algeria): A geochemical study and environmental implications. Applied Geochemistry, 127, 104910. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2021.104910

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, H., Teng, Y., Lu, S., Wang, Y., Wu, J., & Wang, J. (2016). Source apportionment and health risk assessment of trace metals in surface soils of Beijing metropolitan. China. Chemosphere., 2016(144), 1002–1011.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, X., Zhang, K., Chao, L., Liu, Z., Du, T., & Xu, Q. (2021). Quantifying natural recharge characteristics of shallow aquifers in groundwater overexploitation zone of North China. Water Science and Engineering, 14(3), 184–192. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wse.2021.07.001

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Choi, W., Galasinski, U., Cho, S. J., & Hwang, C. S. (2012). A spatiotemporal analysis of groundwater level changes in relation to urban growth and groundwater recharge potential for Waukesha County, Wisconsin. Geographical Analysis, 2012(44), 219–234.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Creuzot, G., & Ouali, J. (1989). Extension, diapirisme et compression en Tunisie centrale : Le jebel Es Souda. Géodynamique, 4(1), 39–48.

    Google Scholar 

  • El-Baz, F., & Himida, I. (1995). Groundwater potential of the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt, Project Summary. AID.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gassara, A. (1980). Contribution à l’étude hydrogéologique du bassin de Horchane – Braga (Sidi Bouzid). Thèse de Doctorat, Université Pierre et Marie Crue, France, 89p + annexes.

  • Govind, A., Wery, J., Dessalegn, B., Elmahdi, A., Bishaw, Z., Nangia, V., & Thijssen, M. (2021). A holistic framework towards developing a climate-smart agri-food system in the Middle East and North Africa: A regional dialogue and synthesis. Agronomy, 11(11), 2351.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hadji, R., Boumazbeur, A., Limani, Y., Baghem, M., & Chouabi, A. (2013). Geologic, topographic and climatic controls in landslide hazard assessment using GIS modeling: A case study of Souk Ahras region, NE Algeria. Quaternary International, 302, 224–237. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2012.11.027

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hajji, S., Ayed, B., Riahi, I., Allouche, A., Boughariou, E., & Bouri, S. (2018). Assessment and mapping groundwater quality using hybrid PCA WQI model: Case of the Middle Miocene aquifer of Hajeb Layoun-Jelma basin (Central Tunisia). Arabian Journal of Geosciences, 11(620), 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-018-3924-5

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hamdi, M., Louati, D., Rajouene, M., & Abida, H. (2016). Impact of spate irrigation of floodwaters on agricultural drought and groundwater recharge: Case of Sidi Bouzid plain, Central Tunisia. Arabian Journal of Geosciences, 9(15), 653. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-016-2686-1

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hamed, Y., Dassi, L., Tarki, M., Ahmadi, R., Mehdi, K., & Dhia, H. B. (2011). Groundwater origins and mixing pattern in the multilayer aquifer system of the Gafsa-south mining district: A chemical and isotopic approach. Environmental Earth Sciences, 63(6), 1355–1368.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hamed, Y., Ahmadi, R., Hadji, R., Mokadem, N., Ben Dhia, H., & Ali, W. (2014). Groundwater evolution of the Continental Intercalaire aquifer of Southern Tunisia and a part of Southern Algeria: Use of geochemical and isotopic indicators. Desalination and Water Treatment, 52(10–12), 1990–1996. https://doi.org/10.1080/19443994.2013.806221

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hamed, Y., Hadji, R., Redhaounia, B., Zighmi, K., Bâali, F., & El Gayar, A. (2018). Climate impact on surface and groundwater in North Africa: A global synthesis of findings and recommendations. Euro-Mediterranean Journal for Environmental Integration, 3(1), 25. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41207-018-0067-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hamed, Y., Hadji, R., Ncibi, K., Hamad, A., Ben Saad, A., Melki, A., & Mustafa, E. (2021). Modelling of potential groundwater artificial recharge in the transboundary Algero-Tunisian Basin (Tebessa-Gafsa): The application of stable isotopes and hydroinformatics tools. Irrigation and Drainage, 71(1), 137–156.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hamed, Y. (2015). Fonctionnement et dynamisme des ressources hydriques des aquifères en milieu aride à semi-aride : approche hydrogéologique, hydrochimique et isotopique. Sfax, Tunisia: HDR, Faculty of Sciences of Sfax, p. 160 (in French).

  • Hamza, M. H., Added, A., Francés, A., & Rodriguez, R. (2007). Validity of the vulnerability methods DRASTIC, SINTACS and SI applied to the study of nitrate pollution in the phreatic aquifer of Metline-Ras Jebel–Raf Raf (northeastern Tunisia). Comptes Rendus Geoscience, 339(7), 493–505. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crte.2007.05.003

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Huang, C. C., Yeh, H. F., Lin, H. I., Lee, S. T., Hsu, K. C., & Lee, C. H. (2013). Groundwater recharge and exploitative potential zone mapping using GIS and GOD techniques. Environmental Earth Sciences, 68(1), 267–280.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jellalia, D., Lachaal, F., Andoulsi, M., Zouaghi, T., Hamdi, M., & Bedir, M. (2015). Hydro-geophysical and geochemical investigation of shallow and deep Neogene aquifer systems in Hajeb Layoun-Jilma-Ouled Asker area, Central Tunisia. Journal of African Earth Sciences, 110, 227–244. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2015.06.016

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jia, Z., Bian, J., Wang, Y., Wan, H., Sun, X., & Li, Q. (2019). Assessment and validation of groundwater vulnerability to nitrate in porous aquifers based on a DRASTIC method modified by projection pursuit dynamic clustering model. Journal of Contaminant Hydrology, 226, 103522. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jconhyd.2019.103522

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Khelifi, F., Melki, A., Hamed, Y., Adamo, P., & Caporale, A. G. (2019). Environmental and human health risk assessment of potentially toxic elements in soil, sediments, and ore processing wastes from a mining area of southwestern Tunisia. Environmental Geochemistry and Health, 42(12), 4125–4139. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-019-00434-z

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Leduc, C., Favreau, G., & Schroeter, P. (2001). Long-term rise in a Sahelian water-table: The continental terminal in south-west Niger. Journal of Hydrology, 243(1–2), 43–54.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lorenzi, V., Sbarbati, C., Banzato, F., Lacchini, A., & Petittaa, M. (2022). Recharge assessment of the Gran Sasso aquifer (Central Italy): Time-variable infiltration and influence of snow cover extension. Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies, 41, 101090. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrh.2022.101090

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Machiwal, D., Jha, M. K., & Mal, B. C. (2011). Assessment of groundwater potential in a semi-arid region of India using remote sensing, GIS and MCDM techniques. Water Resources Management, 25(5), 1359–1386. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11269-010-9749-y

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mohammadpour, A., Gharehchahi, E., Badeenezhad, A., Parseh, I., Khaksefidi, R., Golaki, M., & Giannakis, S. (2022). Nitrate in groundwater resources of Hormozgan Province, Southern Iran: Concentration estimation, distribution and probabilistic health risk assessment using Monte Carlo simulation. Water, 14(4), 564.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mokadem, N., Redhaounia, B., Besser, H., Ayadi, Y., Khelifi, F., & Hamad, A. (2018). Impact of climate change on groundwater and the extinction of ancient ‘Foggara’ and springs systems in arid lands in North Africa: A case study in Gafsa basin (Central of Tunisia). Euro-Mediterranean Journal for Environmental Integration, 3(28), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41207-018-0070-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ncibi, K., Chaar, H., Hadji, R., Baccari, N., Sebei, A., Khelifi, F., Abbes, M., & Hamed, Y. (2020a). A GIS-based statistical model for assessing groundwater susceptibility index in shallow aquifer in Central Tunisia (Sidi Bouzid basin). Arabian Journal of Geosciences. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-020-5112-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ncibi, K., Hadji, R., Hamdi, M., Mokadem, N., Abbes, M., Khelifi, F., Zighmi, K., & Hamed, Y. (2020b). Application of the analytic hierarchy process to weight the criteria used to determine the Water Quality Index of groundwater in the northeastern basin of the Sidi Bouzid region, Central Tunisia. Euro-Mediterranean Journal for Environment Integration, 5, 19. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41207-020-00159-x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ncibi, K., Hadji, R., Hajji, S., Besser, H., Hajlaoui, H., Hamad, A., Mokadem, N., Ben Saad, A., Hamdi, M., & Hamed, Y. (2021). Spatial variation of groundwater vulnerability to nitrate pollution under excessive fertilization using index overlay method in central Tunisia (Sidi Bouzid basin). Irrigation and Drainage, 2021, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1002/ird.2599

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oikonomidis, D., Dimogianni, S., Kazakis, N., & Voudouris, K. (2015). A GIS/remote sensing-based methodology for groundwater potentiality assessment in Tirnavos area, Greece. Journal of Hydrology, 525, 197–208.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ouda, B., Zouari, K., Yermani, M., & Mamou, A. (1998). Caractéristiques des aquifères du bassin de Hajeb el Aoun en utilisant les téchniques isotopiques. Fourth Arab Conference on the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy. Tunis (Tunisia): 14–18/11/1998.

  • Ouzerbane, Z., Loulida, S., Boughalem, M., Hmaidi, A. E., Essahlaoui, A., & Najine, A. (2022). Application of GIS for assessing the vulnerability of aquifers to pollution in the coastal zone of Essaouira, Morocco. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 194(1), 1–18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rahmati, O., Samani, A. N., Mahmoodi, N., & Mahdavi, M. (2014). Assessment of the contribution of N-fertilizers to nitrate pollution of groundwater in Western Iran (case study: Ghorveh Dehgelan aquifer). Water Quality, Exposure and Health, 7(2), 143–51.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rouabhia, A., Djabri, L., Hadji, R., Baali, F., Fahdi, C., & Hanni, A. (2012). Geochemical characterization of groundwater from shallow aquifer surrounding Fetzara Lake NE Algeria. Arabian Journal of Geosciences, 5(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-010-0202-6

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sahu, U., Wagh, V., Mukate, S., Kadam, A., & Patil, S. (2022). Applications of geospatial analysis and analytical hierarchy process to identify the groundwater recharge potential zones and suitable recharge structures in the Ajani-Jhiri watershed of north Maharashtra, India. Groundwater for Sustainable Development, 17, 100733. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gsd.2022.100733

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sarti, O., Otal, E., Morillo, J., & Ouassini, A. (2021). Integrated assessment of groundwater quality beneath the rural area of R’mel, Northwest of Morocco. Groundwater for Sustainable Development, 14, 100620.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sato, T., Takahashi, H., Kawabata, K., Takahashi, M., Inamura, A., & Handa, H. (2016). Changes in the nitrate concentration of spring water after the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake. Journal of Hydrology, 580, 124310. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2019.124310

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Serra, J., do Rosário Cameira, M., Cordovil, C. M., & Hutchings, N. J. (2021). Development of a groundwater contamination index based on the agricultural hazard and aquifer vulnerability: Application to Portugal. Science of the Total Environment, 772, 145032.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shirazi, S. M., Imran, H. M., Akib, S., Yusop, Z., & Harun, Z. B. (2013). Groundwater vulnerability assessment in the Melaka State of Malaysia using DRASTIC and GIS techniques. Environment and Earth Science, 2013(70), 2293–2304. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-013-2360-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sowers, J., Vengosh, A., & Weinthal, E. (2011). Climate change, water resources, and the politics of adaptation in the Middle East and North Africa. Climatic Change, 104(3), 599–627.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • World Health Organization. (2006). WHO guidelines for the safe use of wasterwater excreta and greywater (Vol. 1). World Health Organization.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yeh, H. F., Lee, C. H., Hsu, K. C., & Chang, P. H. (2009). GIS for the assessment of the groundwater recharge potential zone. Environmental Geology, 58(1), 185–195.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yeh, H. F., Cheng, Y. S., Lin, H. I., & Lee, C. H. (2016). Mapping groundwater recharge potential zone using a GIS approach in Hualian River, Taiwan. Sustainable Environment Research, 26(1), 33–43.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • You, H., Ligang, X., Chang, Y., & Jiaxing, X. (2011). Evaluation of groundwater vulnerability with improved DRASTIC method. Procedia Environmental Sciences, 10, 2690–2695.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yu, G., Wang, J., Liu, L., Li, Y., Zhang, Y., & Wang, S. (2020). The analysis of groundwater nitrate pollution and health risk assessment in rural areas of Yantai, China. BMC Public Health, 20, 437. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-08583-y

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu, Z., Wang, J., & Hu, M. (2019). Geographical detection of groundwater pollution vulnerability and hazard in karst areas of Guangxi Province, China. Environmental Pollution, 45, 627–633. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2018.10.017

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zouaghi, T., Ferhi, I., Bédir, M., Ben Youssef, M., Gasmi, M., & Inoubli, M. H. (2011). Analysis of Cretaceous (Aptian) strata in central Tunisia, using 2D seismic data and well logs. Journal of African Earth Sciences, 61, 38–61. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2011.05.002

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the anonymous reviewers for their valuable comments. All the authors would also like to thank the International Association of Water Resources in the Southern Mediterranean Basin, Tunisia, for the support provided.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory for the Application of Materials to the Environment, Water and Energy (LAM3E), Faculty of Sciences of Gafsa, University of Gafsa, Gafsa, Tunisia

    Rim Missaoui, Kaouther Ncibi, Younes Hamed & Latifa Essalami

  2. Department of Water Sciences, University of Gabes, Higher Institute of the Sciences and Techniques of Waters of Gabes (ISSTEG), Gabès, Tunisia

    Rim Missaoui & Bilel Abdelkarim

  3. Applied Hydro-Sciences Laboratory Research Campus Universities, Zrig, 6072, Gabes, Tunisia

    Bilel Abdelkarim

  4. Department of Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA

    Younes Hamed

  5. General Direction of Water Resources (DGRE) Ministry of Agriculture, Tunis, Tunisia

    Abedaljabbar Choura

Authors
  1. Rim Missaoui
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Bilel Abdelkarim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Kaouther Ncibi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Younes Hamed
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Abedaljabbar Choura
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Latifa Essalami
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

All authors contributed to the study’s conception and design. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Rim Missaoui, and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. Material preparation, data collection, and analysis were performed by Bilel Abdelkarim, Kaouther Ncibi, and Younes Hamed. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rim Missaoui.

Ethics declarations

Competing Interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Missaoui, R., Abdelkarim, B., Ncibi, K. et al. Assessment of Groundwater Vulnerability to Nitrate Contamination Using an Improved Model in the Regueb Basin, Central Tunisia. Water Air Soil Pollut 233, 320 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-022-05806-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-022-05806-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation