Groundwater management based on GIS techniques, chemical indicators and vulnerability to seawater intrusion modelling: a
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ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Groundwater management based on GIS techniques, chemical indicators and vulnerability to seawater intrusion modelling: application to the Mahdia–Ksour Essaf aquifer, Tunisia Salwa Saidi • Salem Bouri • Hamed Ben Dhia
Received: 18 November 2011 / Accepted: 11 January 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2013
Abstract In arid and semi-arid countries worldwide, conflicts between human development activities and conservation of groundwater resources are widespread and attract many public debates. This research aims to propose groundwater management alternatives for a coastal aquifer by studying its vulnerability and in particularly the risk of seawater intrusion. An additional objective is to propose some agricultural policies aimed to conserve groundwater resources in Mahdia and Ksour Essaf. Intensive groundwater mining, for irrigation and for water drinking, has caused an overexploitation of the water resources. In addition, the degradation of water quality, caused by septic tanks and intensive agricultural activities, has given rise to notable crucial state of the groundwater resources. With the aim of tackling the groundwater degradation problem, integration into a common platform of vulnerability assessment, seawater intrusion modelling and hydrochemical analysis is proposed. This platform can considerably reflect the water resources state in order to propose some solutions reducing the contamination of the Mahdia–Ksour Essaf aquifer. The groundwater management alternatives, proposed in this study, were prepared within a geographical information system. Keywords Groundwater management Hydrochemical indicators Vulnerability Seawater intrusion modelling Mahdia–Ksour Essaf aquifer S. Saidi (&) S. Bouri H. B. Dhia Water, Energy and Environment Laboratory (LR3E), ENIS.Bpw 1172, Sfax 3038, Tunisia e-mail: [email protected] S. Saidi Geological Department, University of Sciences El Manar, Tunis 2092, Tunisia
Introduction Actually, Fresh groundwater stored in coastal aquifers constitutes an important resource for humans and the natural environment. However, many coastal aquifers are vulnerable to seawater intrusion which can significantly degrade water quality and reduce freshwater availability. The increasing demands for fresh water in coastal areas and the anticipated impacts of climate change (such as sea-level rise and variations in rainfall recharge) may result in increases in the incidence and severity of seawater intrusion (Werner 2010). In the case of this study, groundwater is under other pressures which include intensive agriculture and change of lifestyle. These pressures can cause severe degradation of the groundwater quality. The most efficient measure to protect groundwater from overexploitation and pollution is to make a plan for integral prevention. Therefore, it is important to identify the most vulnerable areas which require a water management plan (Saidi 2011). In recognition of the need for efficient methods for protecting groundwater resources from future contami
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