Hydrogeochemical characterization and suitability of groundwater for drinking and irrigation in Menzel Bourguiba aquifers (Northeastern Tunisia).

The aquifer system of Menzel Bourguiba, located in northeastern Tunisia, is an important groundwater resource that, for the last decades, has been a subject of excessive use by agricultural and industrial activities leading to the degradation of its water quality. To better understand the hydrochemistry of these aquifers, identify the main factors controlling their mineralization, and assess their suitability for drinking and agricultural purposes, 35 groundwater samples collected during the campaign of October 2019 were analyzed by different physicochemical methods. The results showed that the hydrochemical facies of the study area is characterized by two major types SO4-Cl-Ca and Na-Cl.

Seawater quality assessment and identification of pollution sources along the central coastal area of Gabes Gulf (SE Tunisia): Evidence of industrial impact and implications for marine environment protection.

Temperature, pH and trace elements (F, P, Cr, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb) contents were determined in 16 stations as well as in 2 industrial and 2 domestic discharge sources, in the central coastal area of the Gulf of Gabes. Compared to the northern and southern areas of the study area, the highest contents of contaminants were reached in the central area which hosts the coastal industrial complex. The seawater in this central area was also found to be acid and of higher temperature.