Abstract
The Kasserine Aquifer System (KAS) is a transboundary aquifer, located in an arid region in central Tunisia and extending into northeastern Algeria. The system consists of four compartments: Oum Ali-Thelepte, Feriana-Skhirat, and the Plateau and the Plaine of Kasserine. The challenge of this study was to evaluate the influence of regional faults on groundwater flow in the different compartments of the KAS and to estimate the regional impact of current and future groundwater use. A three-dimensional saturated regional groundwater flow model for the steady state and transient conditions (1980–2015) was created and calibrated. This work was achieved using numerical flow modelling, coupled with geological modelling, using FEFLOW and GeoModeller software. The significance of regional faults as potential barriers or conduits to groundwater flow in the different aquifer compartments was evaluated by considering the different recharge rates. Two connectivity hypotheses were proposed at each major fault, and the general hydraulic relationship of units that are juxtaposed by each fault were considered. This study contributes rigorous estimates for the diffuse and concentrated recharge in the arid study region, and evaluates the groundwater behavior that shows a gradual decline in the water table over time, using a regional model. Different predicted outcomes for the KAS based on variable potential groundwater extraction scenarios for the period 2015–2050 have been developed. The results of numerical simulation provide useful information regarding the behavior of the KAS aquifers, and contribute significant knowledge to guide sustainable practice for present and future groundwater management.
Résumé
Le système aquifère de Kasserine (SAK)est un aquifère transfrontalier, situé dans une région aride dans la partie centrale de la Tunisie et qui s’étend dans le nord-est de l’Algérie. Le système comprend quatre compartiments: Oum Ali-Thelepte, Feriana-Skhirat, et le Plateau et la Plaine de Kasserine. Le défi de cette étude était d’évaluer l’influence des failles régionales sur l’écoulement des eaux souterraines dans les différents compartiments du SAK et d’estimer l’impact régional de l’usage actuel et futur des eaux souterraines. Un modèle régional tridimensionnel et saturé d’écoulement des eaux souterraines en régime permanent et transitoire (1980–2015) a été établi et calibré. Ce travail a été réalisé en utilisant une modélisation numérique des écoulements, couplés à une modélisation géologique à l’aide des codes FEFLOW et GeoModeller. L’importance des failles régionales en tant que barrières ou drains pour l’écoulement des eaux souterraines dans les différents compartiments aquifères a été évaluée en considérant les différents taux de recharge. Deux hypothèses de connectivité ont été proposées pour chaque faille principale, les relations hydrauliques des unités qui sont juxtaposées à chaque faille ont été considérées. Cette étude fournit des estimations rigoureuses de la recharge diffuse et concentrée dans la région d’étude aride, et évalue le comportement des eaux souterraines qui montre un déclin graduel du niveau piézométrique au cours du temps, en utilisant un modèle régional. Différents résultats prévus pour le SAK fondés sur des scénarios d’exploitation potentielle des eaux souterraines variables pour la période 2015–2050 ont été élaborés. Les résultats de la simulation numérique fournissent des informations utiles concernant le comportement des aquifères du SAK, et apportent des connaissances importantes pour orienter une pratique durable de la gestion actuelle et future des eaux souterraines.
Resumen
El Sistema de Acuíferos de Kasserine (KAS) es un acuífero transfronterizo, ubicado en una región árida en el centro de Túnez y que se extiende hacia el noreste de Argelia. El sistema consta de cuatro compartimentos: Oum Ali-Thelepte, Feriana-Skhirat y Plateau y Plaine of Kasserine. El desafío de este estudio fue evaluar la influencia de las fallas regionales en el flujo de agua subterránea en los diferentes compartimentos del KAS y estimar el impacto regional del uso actual y futuro del agua subterránea. Se creó y calibró un modelo tridimensional de flujo saturado de agua subterránea regional para el estado estacionario y para las condiciones transitorias (1980–2015). Este trabajo se realizó utilizando modelos numéricos de flujo, junto con modelos geológicos, utilizando el software FEFLOW y GeoModeller. La importancia de las fallas regionales como posibles barreras o conductos al flujo de agua subterránea en los diferentes compartimentos de los acuíferos se evaluó considerando las diferentes tasas de recarga. Se propusieron dos hipótesis de conectividad en cada falla principal, y se consideró la relación hidráulica general de las unidades que están yuxtapuestas por cada falla. Con la utilización de un modelo regional, este estudio contribuye con estimaciones rigurosas para la recarga difusa y concentrada en la región árida del estudio y evalúa el comportamiento de las aguas subterráneas que muestra un descenso gradual en el nivel freático con el tiempo. Se han desarrollado diferentes resultados pronosticados para el KAS en función de los posibles escenarios de extracción de agua subterránea para el período 2015–2050. Los resultados de la simulación numérica proporcionan información útil sobre el comportamiento de los acuíferos KAS y contribuyen con un conocimiento significativo para guiar prácticas sostenibles para la gestión presente y futura de las aguas subterráneas.
摘要
Kasserine含水层系统是一个跨边界含水层,位于突尼斯中部的干旱地区,并延伸至阿尔及利亚东北部。该系统由四个隔间组成:Oum Ali-Thelepte、 Feriana-Skhirat、Plateau and the Plaine of Kasserine。本研究的挑战是评估区域断层对Kasserine含水层系统不同隔间地下水流的影响以及估算目前和将来地下水利用的区域影响。建立了稳态和瞬时条件下的三维饱和区域地下水流模型(1980–2015年),并对此进行了校正。此项工作利用FEFLOW和 GeoModeller软件进行数值水流建模、加上地质建模得以完成。考虑到不同补给量,评估了区域断层作为不同含水层隔间地下水流的潜在屏障或管道的重要性。在每一个主要断层都提出了两个连通性的假设,并考虑到了被每个断层并置的单元的一般水力关系。本研究有助于严格估算干旱的研究区的弥散和集中的补给,有助于利用区域模型评估地下水随着时间的推移水位逐渐下降的特性。根据2015–2050年可变的潜在地下水抽取方案,得出了Kasserine含水层系统不同的预测结果。数值模拟结果提供了Kasserine含水层系统含水层特性的有用信息,为指导目前和将来地下水的可持续管理贡献了重要的信息。
Resumo
O Sistema Aquífero Kasserine (SAK) é um aquífero transfronteiriço, localizado em uma região árida da Tunísia central, estendendo-se ao nordeste da Argélia. O sistema é composto por quatro compartimentos: Oum Ali-Thelepte, Feriana-Skhirat, e o Platô e a Planície de Kasserine. O desafio deste estudo foi avaliar a influência de falhas regionais no fluxo das águas subterrâneas nos diferentes compartimentos do KAS e estimar o impacto regional do uso atual e futuro das águas subterrâneas. Um modelo tridimensional do fluxo saturado regional das águas subterrâneas para condições de estado estacionário e transiente (1980–2015) foi criado e calibrado. Este trabalho foi realizado usando um modelo numérico de fluxo acoplado a um modelo geológico, empregando os softwares FEFLOW e GeoModeller. A importância das falhas regionais como potenciais barreiras ou condutos para o fluxo das águas subterrâneas nos distintos compartimentos do aquífero foi avaliada considerando-se diferentes taxas de recarga. Duas hipóteses de conectividade foram propostas para cada falha maior, e a relação hidráulica geral das unidades justapostas a cada falha foi considerada. Este estudo contribui com estimativas rigorosas de recarga difusa e concentrada na região árida de estudo, e avalia o comportamento das águas subterrâneas, que demonstra um declínio gradual do lençol freático com o tempo, utilizando um modelo regional. Foram desenvolvidas diferentes previsões para o KAS baseadas nos cenários variáveis de extração de águas subterrâneas no período de 2015–2050. Os resultados das simulações numéricas fornecem informações úteis em relação ao comportamento dos aquíferos do KAS, e contribuem com conhecimento significativo para guiar práticas sustentáveis da gestão das águas subterrâneas atuais e futuras.
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Acknowledgements
The authors warmly thank Prof Pierre Perrochet from the laboratory of the Centre of Hydrogeology and Geothermic (CHYN) in Neuchatel in Switzerland. We also thank Intrepid Geophysics and DHI for their support and for providing licence keys for GeoModeller and FEFLOW.7 at no charge.
Funding
This study was supported by the CILIUM project funded by the Swiss government and the LMHE laboratory.
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Hassen, I., Milnes, E., Gibson, H. et al. Impact of groundwater flow across tectonic aquifer compartments in a Miocene sandstone aquifer: three-dimensional hydrogeological modeling of the Kasserine aquifer system in central Tunisia and northeastern Algeria. Hydrogeol J 27, 1345–1361 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-019-01931-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-019-01931-2