Abstract
The Grombalia aquifer (NE Tunisia) is an example of an important source of water supply for regional and national development, where the weak controls over abstraction, fertilizer application and waste disposal, coupled with limited knowledge of aquifer dynamics, is causing aquifer over-exploitation and water quality degradation. Assessing the key role of groundwater in water-resources security is therefore of paramount importance to support new actions to preserve water quality and quantity in the long-run. This study presents one of the first investigations targeted at a complete assessment of aquifer dynamics in the Grombalia aquifer. A multi-tracer hydrogeochemical and isotopic (δ2H, δ18O and 3H) approach was used to study the influence of seasonal variation on piezometric levels, chemical and isotopic compositions, and groundwater recharge. A total of 116 samples were collected from private wells and boreholes during three periods in a 1 year monitoring campaign (February–March 2014, September 2014 and February 2015). Results revealed the overall unsuitability of groundwater for drinking and irrigation purposes (NO3 > 50 mg/L in 51% of the wells; EC >1,000 μS/cm in 99% of the wells). Isotopic balance coupled to piezometric investigation indicated the contribution of the shallow aquifer to deep groundwater recharge. The study also revealed the weakness of ‘business as usual’ management practices, highlighting possible solutions to tackle water-related challenges in the Grombalia region, where climate change, population growth and intensive agricultural activities have generated a large gap between demand and available water reserves, hence becoming a possible driver for social insecurity.
Résumé
L’aquifère de Grombalia (NE de la Tunisie) est. un exemple de source importante d’approvisionnement en eau pour le développement régional et national, où les faibles contrôles sur les prélèvements en eau, l’épandage d’engrais et l’élimination des déchets, combinés à une connaissance limitée de la dynamique de l’aquifère, entraîne une sur-exploitation de l’aquifère et une dégradation de la qualité de l’eau. L’évaluation du rôle clé de l’eau souterraine dans la sécurisation des ressources en eau est. donc d’une importance primordiale pour soutenir de nouvelles actions de préservation de la qualité et de la quantité d’eau sur une longue durée. Cette étude présente une des premières investigations ciblant une complète évaluation de la dynamique de l’aquifère de Grombalia. Une approche multi-traceur hydrogéochimique et isotopique (δ2H, δ18O et 3H) a été utilisée pour étudier l’influence des variations saisonnières sur les niveaux piézométriques, les compositions chimiques et isotopiques, et la recharge en eau souterraine. Un total de 116 échantillons a été collecté à partir de puits privés et de forages, au cours de trois périodes pendant une campagne de suivi de 1 année (mars–février 2014, septembre 2014 et février 2015). Les résultats ont révélé l’inadaptabilité globale des eaux souterraines à des fins d’alimentation en eau potable et d’irrigation (NO3 > 50 mg/L dans 51% des puits; CE > 1,000 μS/cm dans 99% des puits). Le calcul du bilan isotopique couplé aux investigations piézométriques indique une contribution de l’aquifère superficiel à la recharge de l’aquifère profond. L’étude a aussi révélé la faiblesse des pratiques de gestion de type ‘statu quo’, mettant en évidence des solutions possibles pour s’attaquer aux défis liés à l’eau dans la région de Grombalia, où le changement climatique, la croissance démographique et les activités agricoles intensives ont généré un grand fossé entre la demande en eau et les réserves disponibles, pouvant devenir un moteur possible d’insécurité sociale.
Resumen
El acuífero de Grombalia (NE Túnez) es un ejemplo de una importante fuente de abastecimiento de agua para el desarrollo regional y nacional, donde los débiles controles sobre la extracción, la aplicación de fertilizantes y la eliminación de residuos, junto con un conocimiento limitado de la dinámica de los acuíferos, es causante de la sobreexplotación y de la degradación de la calidad del agua subterránea. La evaluación del papel clave del agua subterránea en la seguridad de los recursos hídricos es, por lo tanto, de vital importancia para respaldar nuevas acciones para preservar la calidad y la cantidad del agua a largo plazo. Este estudio presenta una de las primeras investigaciones dirigidas a una evaluación completa de la dinámica del agua subterránea en el acuífero Grombalia. Se utilizó un enfoque de multi-trazadores hidrogeoquímicos e isotópicos (δ2H, δ18O and 3H) para estudiar la influencia de la variación estacional en los niveles piezométricos, las composiciones químicas e isotópicas y la recarga de aguas subterráneas. Se recolectaron un total de 116 muestras de perforaciones y pozos privados durante tres períodos en una campaña de monitoreo de 1 año (febrero–marzo de 2014, septiembre de 2014 y febrero de 2015). Los resultados revelaron que el agua subterránea no es adecuada para bebida y para irrigación. Fines de irrigación (NO3 > 50 mg/L en 51% de los pozos, EC >1,000 μS/cm en el 99% de los pozos). El equilibrio isotópico junto con la investigación piezométrica indica la contribución del acuífero superficial a la recarga de aguas subterráneas profundas. El estudio también reveló la debilidad de las prácticas ‘habituales’ de gestión, destacando posibles soluciones para abordar los desafíos relacionados con el agua en la región de Grombalia, donde el cambio climático, el crecimiento demográfico y las actividades agrícolas intensivas generaron una gran brecha entre la demanda y la disponibilidad de las reservas de agua, convirtiéndose así en un posible motor de la inseguridad social.
الملخص
يعتبر خزان المياه الجوفية في منطقة قرمبالية مصدرا هاما لإمدادات المياه لتكريس التنمية الإقليمية والوطنية، إلا أن ضعف الرقابة على استخراج المياه واستخدام الأسمدة والتخلص من النفايات، بالإضافة إلى محدودية معرفة ديناميكية طبقة المياه الجوفية، يؤدي إلى الإفراط في استغلال المياه الجوفية وتدهور جودتها. لذلك فإن تقييم الدور الرئيسي للمياه الجوفية في تامين الموارد المائية له أهمية قصوى في دعم الإجراءات الجديدة للحفاظ على جودة وكمية المياه على المدى الطويل. و في هذا الإطار تعد هذه الدراسة واحدة من أول البحوث التي تهدف إلى إجراء تقييم كامل لديناميكية طبقات المياه الجوفية في حوض قرمبالية. لقد تم استخدام المنهج الهيدروجيوكيميائي والتقنيات النظائرية (δ2H ،δ18O و H3(لدراسة مدى تأثير التغيرات الموسمية على المستوى البيزومتري، التركيبة الكيميائية والنظائرية، و تغذية طبقة المياه الجوفية. تم جمع 116 عينة ماء من الآبار الخاصة والآبار العميقة خلال ثلاث فترات ضمن حملة مراقبة لمدة سنة (فبراير-مارس 2014، سبتمبر 2014 وفبراير 2015). بينت النتائج أن المياه الجوفية غير صالحة لأغراض الشرب والري (NO3 > 50 mg/L في 51٪ من الآبار؛μS/cm 1,000 EC > في 99٪ من الآبار). ٲثبت توازن النظائر و الدراسة البيزوميترية مساهمة طبقة المياه الجوفية الضحلة في تغذية المياه الجوفية العميقة. كما كشفت الدراسة عن ضعف أساليب إدارة الأعمال و التصرف، و سلطت الضوء على الحلول الممكنة للتصدي للتحديات المتعلقة بالمياه في منطقة قرمبالية، حيث أن تغير المناخ، النمو السكاني وتكاثف الأنشطة الزراعية أدّى إلى وجود فجوة كبيرة بين الطلب واحتياطات المياه المتاحة، ومن ثم أصبح محركًا محتملاً لانعدام الأمن الاجتماعي.
摘要
(突尼斯)古兰巴利耶含水层是区域和国家发展供水的重要水源,管控不严、使用化肥和废物处理,以及对含水层动力学认识有限导致含水层超采及水质下降。因此,评价水资源安全中地下水的关键作用对于支持新的行动来保持长期的良好水质和水量至关重要。本研究介绍了首批研究项目之一,这批研究项目目的就是评价古兰巴利耶含水层动力学。采用多种示踪剂水化学及同位素(δ2H, δ18O 和 3H)方法研究测压水位的季节性变化、化学和同位素组分以及地下水补给量。在一年的研究中分三个时间段(2014你钱2–3月、2014年9月和2015年2月)从私人水井和钻孔中一共采集了116个水样。结果揭示地下水用于饮用和灌溉总体上来说不适宜(51%的井中NO3 > 50 mg/L,99%的井中EC >1,000 μS/cm)。结合测压水位研究的同位素平衡表明浅层含水层补给深层含水层。研究结果还揭示“一如既往”管理实践的弱点,突出介绍了解决古兰巴利耶地区与水有关的挑战的可能解决方案,在这个地区,气候变化、人口增长和强烈的农业活动使用水需求和可用的水储量之间产生巨大的缺口,因此,这个缺口成为社会不安全可能的驱动器。
Riassunto
L’acquifero di Grombalia (NE Tunisia) è un esempio di un’importante fonte di approvvigionamento idrico per lo sviluppo regionale e nazionale, dove i deboli controlli sui prelievi, l’applicazione di fertilizzanti e lo smaltimento dei rifiuti, unito ad una conoscenza limitata dei processi idrogeologici, stanno causando uno sfruttamento eccessivo dell’acquifero, con conseguente degradazione della qualità dell’acqua. Valutare il ruolo chiave delle acque sotterranee nella sicurezza idrica è quindi di fondamentale importanza per sostenere nuove azioni volte a preservare la qualità e la quantità dell’acqua nel lungo periodo. Questo studio presenta una delle prime indagini mirate ad una valutazione completa delle dinamiche nel bacino di Grombalia. Un approccio multi-tracciante idrogeochimico ed isotopico (δ2H, δ18O and 3H) è stato utilizzato per studiare l’influenza delle variazioni stagionali sui livelli piezometrici, le composizioni chimiche e isotopiche, e la ricarica delle acque sotterranee. Un totale di 116 campioni sono stati raccolti da pozzi pubblici e privati durante tre periodi (febbraio–marzo 2014, settembre 2014 e febbraio 2015) in una campagna di monitoraggio di 1 anno. I risultati hanno rivelato l’inadeguatezza complessiva delle acque sotterranee a scopo di consumo idropotabile e di irrigazione (NO3 > 50 mg/L nel 51% dei pozzi; CE > 1,000 μS /cm nel 99% dei pozzi). Lo studio isotopico associato all’indagine piezometrica ha inoltre evidenziato il contributo della falda superficiale alla ricarica di quella profonda. Lo studio ha anche rivelato la debolezza delle attuali pratiche di gestione, evidenziando possibili soluzioni per affrontare le sfide legate all’acqua nella regione di Grombalia, dove il cambiamento climatico, la crescita della popolazione e le attività agricole intensive hanno generato un ampio divario tra la domanda e la reale disponibilità idrica, diventando una possibile causa di insicurezza sociale.
Resumo
O aquífero de Grombalia (NE da Tunísia) é um exemplo de importante fonte de abastecimento de água para o desenvolvimento regional e nacional, onde os fracos controles na captação excessiva, aplicação de fertilizantes e descarte de resíduos, juntamente com o conhecimento limitado da dinâmica dos aquíferos, estão causando superexplotação de aquíferos e degradação da qualidade da água. A avaliação do papel fundamental das águas subterrâneas na segurança dos recursos hídricos é, portanto, de suma importância para apoiar novas ações para preservar a qualidade e a quantidade de água em longo prazo. Este estudo apresenta uma das primeiras investigações direcionadas a uma avaliação completa da dinâmica dos aquíferos no aquífero de Grombalia. Uma abordagem de multitraçador hidrogeoquímica e isotópica (δ2H, δ18O e 3H) foi utilizada para estudar a influência da variação sazonal em níveis piezométricos, composições químicas e isotópicas e recarga de águas subterrâneas. Um total de 116 amostras foi coletado em poços privados e furos de sondagem durante três períodos em uma campanha de monitoramento de 1 ano (fevereiro a março de 2014, setembro de 2014 e fevereiro de 2015). Os resultados revelaram a inadequação generalizada das águas subterrâneas para fins de consumo e irrigação (NO3 > 50 mg / L em 51% dos poços; CE > 1,000 μS/cm em 99% dos poços). O balanço isotópico acoplado à investigação piezométrica indicou a contribuição do aquífero raso para a recarga subterrânea profunda. O estudo também revelou a fraqueza das práticas de gestão de negócios como os atuais, destacando possíveis soluções para enfrentar os desafios relacionados à água na região de Grombalia, onde as mudanças climáticas, o crescimento populacional e as atividades agrícolas intensivas geraram uma grande lacuna entre a demanda e as reservas de água disponíveis, tornando-se, portanto, um possível impulsionador da insegurança social.
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Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the technical staff of the Laboratory of Radio-Analyses and Environment (LRAE) at the National Engineering School of Sfax for the chemical and isotopic analyses. Also, the authors gratefully acknowledge the contribution of the staff members of the Regional Commissariat for Agricultural Development (CRDA) of Nabeul for their assistance during fieldwork and Prof. Elisa Sacchi (University of Pavia, Italy) for support with data interpretation.
Funding
This research is partially supported by a Marie Curie Fellowship awarded to Dr. Viviana Re within the EU 7th FP for Research and Technological Development (FP7-PEOPLE-2012-IOF n.327287).
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This article is part of the topical collection “Coastal aquifers in the Middle East and North Africa region”
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Kammoun, S., Re, V., Trabelsi, R. et al. Assessing seasonal variations and aquifer vulnerability in coastal aquifers of semi-arid regions using a multi-tracer isotopic approach: the case of Grombalia (Tunisia). Hydrogeol J 26, 2575–2594 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-018-1816-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-018-1816-0