Evidence for Groundwater Salinity Origin Based on Hydrogeochemical and Isotopic (2H, 18O, 37Cl, 3H, 13C, 14C) Approaches: Sousse, Eastern Tunisia

Abstract

The key processes responsible for the rise in groundwater salinization in the Mio–Pliocene aquifer system of Sousse (Tunisia, eastern coastline) were identified through a multidisciplinary approach based on the use of geochemical, stable (2H, 13C, 18O and 37Cl) and radioactive (3H and 14C) isotope methods. In the study region, the mineralization of groundwaters is related to water–rock interaction ascribed to the dissolution of minerals in evaporite rocks, as well as to saltwater intrusion. Both processes explain the development of groundwaters in which Cl and Na dominantly determine the groundwater quality deterioration state. The isotopic and geochemical signatures of the studied groundwaters are clearly explained by the (i) occurrence of saline basins (sebkhas adjacent to the study region), (ii) type of rocks found below the ground surface, and (iii) cation exchange between clays and groundwaters.