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Integrated geoelectrical and hydrogeological study of Garaat Sened area, west-central Tunisia

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Abstract

A detailed hydrogeological investigation is combined with electrical resistivity imaging using the Schlumberger depth sounding method in Garaat Sened, west-central Tunisia, to elucidate the hydrogeology and the hydrodynamics of this area with emphasis on their main controlling factors. Two types of aquifers with good reservoir qualities have been highlighted; however, their natural recharge is remarkably limited since the study area is characterized by semi-arid climate with an irregular rainfall ranging between 124 and 222 mm/y. The Mio-Plio-Quaternary siliciclastic constitutes an unconfined aquifer that outcrops along an area of ~ 125 km2; however, two other deep aquifers are enclosed within two fractured Upper Cretaceous carbonated formations in age (Abiod and Gattar). The excessive abstraction to satisfy the harmful agricultural practices and the domestic demands engender a critical balance between demand and natural renewable resources of these aquifers. This situation requires an emergency plan of management and rigorous policies to oppose the risk to groundwater availability.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Dr. Abdullah M. Al-Amri and Dr. Dikun Yang for their kind handling of the manuscript and the anonymous reviewers for their review and their helpful comments and suggestions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Département des Sciences de la Terre, Faculté des Sciences de Gafsa, Université de Gafsa, Campus Universitaire Sidi Ahmed Zarroug, 212, Gafsa, Tunisie

    Mhamdi Abdelkader, Mouez Gouasmia & Ferid Dhahri

  2. UR11ES15: Environnement Sédimentaires, Systèmes Pétroliers et Caractérisation des Réservoirs, Faculté des Sciences de Tunis, Université de Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia

    Mhamdi Abdelkader, Mouez Gouasmia & Mohamed Soussi

  3. LR18ES37: Laboratoire de Recherche Géodynamique, Géo-ressources, Géo-numérique, Faculté des Sciences de Tunis, Université de Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia

    Ferid Dhahri

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  1. Mhamdi Abdelkader
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  2. Mouez Gouasmia
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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 Mhamdi Abdelkader.

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Responsible Editor: Amjad Kallel

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Abdelkader, M., Gouasmia, M., Dhahri, F. et al. Integrated geoelectrical and hydrogeological study of Garaat Sened area, west-central Tunisia. Arab J Geosci 14, 66 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-021-06486-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-021-06486-9

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