Delineation of seawater intrusion and groundwater quality assessment in coastal aquifers: The Korba coastal aquifer (Northeastern Tunisia).

The aim of this study is to determine the general state of the Korba aquifer (northwestern Tunisia) with respect to seawater intrusion and to assess the suitability of groundwater for drinking and irrigation purposes. A total of 60 groundwater samples were collected and analysed for physicochemical parameters (pH, EC, TDS, Na, K, Ca, Mg, HCO3, Cl, NO, SO and Br). Major ionic ratios highlighted the dominance of the reverse ion exchange process triggered by the marine intrusion.

Trace element contamination in the mine-affected stream sediments of Oued Rarai in north-western Tunisia: a river basin scale assessment.

High-quality and accurate environmental investigations are essential for the evaluation of contamination and subsequent decision-making processes. A combination of environmental geochemical indices, multivariate analyses and geographic information system approach was successfully used to assess contamination status and source apportionment of trace elements (Ag, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Sb, V and Zn) in surface stream sediments from the Oued Rarai basin in north-western Tunisia, containing various metal and metalloid ores. The contamination level reported in this study indicates a non-negligible potential ecological risk, mainly related to sediment transport along the river.