Journal of African Earth Sciences 172 (2020) 103984

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Journal of African Earth Sciences

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Contribution of geophysical methods in characterizing the structure of El

Fahs plain: Hydrogeological implications
Fatma Hachani a, *, Hadhémi Balti b, Maroua Montassar c, Ali Kadri c, Anis Chkirbene a,
Ammar Mlayah a, Mohamed Gasmi c
a
University of Carthage, Laboratory of Georesources, Water Research and Technologies Centre, Borj Cedria Technopark Touristic Road BP, 273-8020, Soliman, Tunisia
b
University of Gabes, Higher Institute of Water Sciences and Techniques of Gabes, Omar Ibn Khattab Road, 6029, Gabes, Tunisia
c
University of Carthage, Geology of Natural Resources Research Unit, Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, 7021, Jarzouna, Bizerte, Tunisia

A R T I C L E I N F O A B S T R A C T

Keywords: The El Fahs plain aquifer belongs to Tunisian Northern Atlas and it is particularly important due to its exploi­
Gravity method tation, well yields and the water’s chemical quality. In recent years, the increasing exploitation is becoming
VES unsustainable and this warrants studies and policies to better manage the groundwater resources in the El Fahs
Hydrogeology
plain. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the subsurface structure and to determine the zones that are
El fahs plain
favourable for the exploitation of potential units. For these purposes, a geophysical study by gravity and elec­
NE Tunisia
trical resistivity methods has been conducted.
The gravity method consisted in 1365 gravity data points collected from uniformly-distributed stations. The
Bouguer anomaly map of El Fahs plain and its surrounding areas provided information about the subsurface
density variation and showed positive anomalies indicating raised zones and negative anomalies characterizing
the depression zones. Quantitative treatment applied to Bouguer anomaly map highlighted new deep structures
with details on their depths (up to 2800 m) and dips. These results demonstrate that the plain corresponds to a
collapsed area limited by three fault systems E-W, NW-SE and N–S. Some of these faults are conform to the
existing ones. However, a new N–S fault system is highlighted, which produced a new structural map.
A study by vertical electrical sounding (VES) survey was conducted in order to provide details on El Fahs plain.
It consisted of 114 Schlumberger VES with lengths of current line AB ranging from 400 to 600 m. Interpretation
results of the VES shows that El Fahs plain is covered by a very heterogeneous and thick Quaternary filling
deposits (48 m by place). The Mio-Pliocene deposits have a thickness that occasionally exceeds 190 m, and it is
composed of conductive (<15 Ω m) and resistant (>16 Ω m) units. The underlying Upper Cretaceous is composed
of conductive (<17 Ω m) and resistant (>20 Ω m) units.
From a hydrogeology point of view, the gravity results show that the groundwater flow is strongly influenced
by the basin morphostructure and the existing faults in the area. Furthermore, the VES results reveal that three
normal faults are responsible for collapsing the central part of the plain and favouring groundwater flow in this
direction.

1. Introduction accentuated by additional factors such as pollution and contamination,

poor management, and environmental factors caused by the impact of
Tunisia is a country of North Africa that gets its groundwater mainly climate change (Mokadem et al., 2016; Besser et al., 2017; Ayadi et al.,
from both shallow renewable and deep, often non-renewable, ground­ 2018; Hamed et al., 2018; Mejri et al., 2018; Ziadi et al., 2019).
water. This constitutes 95% of the country’s total water resources Furthermore, the water demand is increasing due to rising agricultural,
(Zektser and Everett, 2004) and it is mostly used in agricultural activities industrial, services and domestic activities, which causes water stress
(Ben Ammar et al., 2018). Being a country of the arid and semi-arid across different regions of the country.
region makes the water resources in Tunisia limited. This is In this study, we focus on the El Fahs plain which is located in the

* Corresponding author.
E-mail address: [email protected] (F. Hachani).

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2020.103984
Received 27 December 2019; Received in revised form 16 August 2020; Accepted 17 August 2020
Available online 18 August 2020
1464-343X/© 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
F. Hachani et al. Journal of African Earth Sciences 172 (2020) 103984

Fig. 1. (a) Location of the study area in the Northeastern Tunisian Atlas (the tectonic map of Northern Tunisia is based on Zouaghi et al., 2013). (b) Geological map
of the El Fahs plain and its surroundings.

northeast of Tunisia (Zaghouan Governorate). The study area belongs to (Khanfir, 1984; Hechemi, 1989; DGRE. and Rekaya, 2003; DGRE-Dir­
the northern part of the Atlas belt characterised by NE-SW folds, and ection Générale des Ressources en Eau, 2013; Kallali and Marzougui,
NW-SE and E-W grabens. In these grabens, the aquifers are stored in 2012; Fezai, 2016). Other geological and structural studies have focused
Neogene-Quaternary deposits, which is the case of the El Fahs plain on the structural evolution and tectonic of the zone as well as its
aquifer. We elaborate on the geological characteristics of the study area paleogeographic reconstruction in bigger scale (Solignac, 1927; Cas­
in Sec. 2. tany, 1951; Bonnefous, 1967; Bajanik et al., 1977; Turki, 1988; Chihi,
The El Fahs plain is characterised by an important agricultural ac­ 1995; Dali and Mahjoub, 1999; Soussi, 2002; Arfaoui et al, 2016, 2018).
tivity exploiting a large number of water points of acceptable chemical The objective of the present work is the use of geophysical methods,
quality, which makes it one of the important plains locally. As in most namely the gravity and vertical electrical sounding (VES) methods, in
areas of Tunisia, the aquifers of the El Fahs plain are overexploited and order to characterise the subsurface structure of the El Fahs plain, to
generally not optimally managed. This has led to Lower piezometric better understand the configuration of its aquifer reservoirs and to
levels, the drying up of some wells and an increase in the salinity of the delimit the zones that are favourable for the exploitation of potential
groundwater (Khanfir, 1984; Fezai, 2016). units. This work is also intended to complement previous studies which
A number of hydrogeological and hydrochemical studies were per­ are either based on a large scale and included the plain of the study area
formed in El Fahs region to address the abovementioned problems (i.e. structural studies) or on a small scale and focused on local and

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F. Hachani et al. Journal of African Earth Sciences 172 (2020) 103984

Fig. 2. Geological map of el Fahs plain, location of VES and interpretation profiles.

Fig. 3. Piezometric map of El Fahs plain (DGRE-Direction Générale des Ressources en Eau, 2013).

sparse areas (i.e. hydrogeological studies and hydrochemicals). the West, Kef el Azreg and Jebel Ben Saidane to the South, and El Fahs
hills to the East (Figs. 1 and 2). Three wadis cross the El Fahs plain: El
2. Study area, geological and hydrogeological settings Kebir, Jrabiaa and Bou Dhebbane. These wadis join downstream of the
Meliane wadi.
The El Fahs plain is located in the NE Tunisia, 60 km SW of the From a geological point of view, the El Fahs plain belongs to the
capital Tunis between latitudes 36◦ .26719N and 36◦ .43897N, and lon­ Northeastern Tunisian Atlas which is characterised by NE-SW trending
gitudes 9◦ .731211E and 9◦ .985245E. The El Fahs plain is close to the major folds, Triassic outcrops, NE-SW and E-W faults, and E-W and NW-
NW of the Tunisian Dorsal, and it covers an area of 619 Km2 and has an SE grabens (Fig. 1a). The geological map (Figs. 1 and 2) shows that the
average altitude of 200 m. It is limited by Jebel Beni Kleb, Rouissat and lithology of the study area extends from the Triassic to the Quaternary.
Sebkhat el Kourzia to the North, Bou Arada plain and Jebel Mansour to The Triassic evaporites outcrop in the North of El Fahs city, in the NW

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F. Hachani et al. Journal of African Earth Sciences 172 (2020) 103984

Fig. 4. Bouguer anomaly map of El Fahs plain and its surroundings.

Fig. 5. First vertical derivative map of the Bouguer anomaly.

close to Sebkhat el Kourzia and Bou Arada plain, and in Jebel Beni Kleb – in the North. The Cretaceous outcrops, which are composed of lime­
Rouissat. The Jurassic limestone outcrops are shown in Jebel Ben Sai­ stone, marly limestone and marl, delineate the plain and are dominant in
dane and Fekirine in the SE of the plain, and Jebel Beni Kleb and Rouas the surrounding area. The Paleocene deposits correspond to alternation

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F. Hachani et al. Journal of African Earth Sciences 172 (2020) 103984

the N and SE of the study area. They are composed of continental de­
posits: clay, sandstone and conglomerate. The Quaternary deposit ap­
pears in the plains and in the foot of the mountains. It is represented by
red silt and limestone crusts that cover the various formation. The recent
alluvial deposits are in the major wadi beds.
Structurally, the El Fahs plain is considered as a NW-SE graben
orthogonal to a set of NE-SW trending folds (e.g. Jebel Mansour anti­
cline, the El Kebir syncline). This NW-SE graben was developed during
the Plio-Quaternary extensive tectonic regime (Castany, 1948; Burollet,
1956). Other studies consider that El Fahs graben corresponds to a
pull-apart basin between two overlapping E-W dextral strike slip faults,
developed since Lower Miocene (Chihi and Philip, 1998; Chihi, 1995).
However, recent study has argued that this graben would have opened
during the Late Miocene to Pliocene (Belguith et al., 2011).
From a hydrogeological point of view, the groundwater of the El Fahs
plain is mainly fed by its southern border, by rainwater infiltration and
by El Kebir wadi upstream. The piezometric map of the El Fahs plain
aquifer shows that the groundwater is generally flowing from the South
to the North (Fig. 3). In the NW of the plain, the Garaet Hamada
depression presents a local outlet for groundwater. From the water
exploitation point of view, this aquifer is exploited by 36 boreholes of
relatively shallow depths and hundreds of surface wells. The annual
groundwater exploitation of El Fahs plain is 1.48 Mm3/year with a flow
rate of 46.74 l/s. The groundwater salinity ranges from 1.5 to 3.57 g/l
(DGRE-Direction Générale des Ressources en Eau, 2013).
Fig. 6. Superposition of horizontal gradient maxima obtained from Bouguer
anomaly and upward continuation map at different altitudes (arrow indicate 3. Material and methods
the shifting direction of maxima; point colours indicate the maxima at different
altitudes). (For interpretation of the references to colour in this figure legend, Two integrated geophysical methods have been conducted in this
the reader is referred to the Web version of this article.) study to characterise the subsurface structure of El Fahs plain and
determine its hydrogeological implications: the gravity and the vertical
of clay, marl and limestone beds. The Eocene deposits include two for­ electrical sounding methods.
mations: the first is formed mainly by limestones and the second by marl
with small sandstone beds. The Oligocene deposits are located only in 3.1. The gravity method
the West and the South of the study area and they are composed of
sandstone, sandy-clay and clay. The Miocene and Pliocene outcrop in The gravity method is used to study the regional basin of El Fahs
plain and its surroundings. It allows to delineate subsurface structures

Fig. 7. Superposition of the gravimetric lineaments and the horizontal gradient maps.

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F. Hachani et al. Journal of African Earth Sciences 172 (2020) 103984

Fig. 8. Euler deconvolution map of El Fahs plain (N = 0; windows = 10 × 10; maximum relative error = 15%).

and define their depth. The investigation depth of the gravity method is 1985; Blakely and Simpson, 1986), and delineate either shallow or deep
high. Therefore, the survey concerned not only the El Fahs plain but also sources. It is defined as:
its surroundings. The gravity data consisted of 1365 measurement points √̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅
over an area of 1370 km2 (points in Fig. 4), and covered a part of the GH = (∂g/∂x)2 + (∂g/∂y)2
following geological 1/50,000 maps: Zaghouan, Bou Arada, Jebel
Mansour and Jebel Fkirine. The approximately mean density is one where (∂g/∂x) and (∂g/∂y) are the horizontal derivatives of the gravity
observation per square km. The gravity survey was conducted by the field in the x and y directions, respectively.
Sagax Maghreb Company in 2003 for the account of the National Office The horizontal gradient tends to have maxima located over edges of
of Mines (ONM), Tunisia, who puts them up for sale to the public. The gravity or pseudo-gravity sources (Baranov, 1957). When applied to a
first result obtained from these gravity data is the Bouguer anomalies map, the horizontal gradient shows narrow ridge above abrupt density
map. The interpolation method that was used is the kriging, which has changes. The maxima location in the horizontal gradients is detected by
the benefit of producing a good image of the gravity influence on the automation with an algorithm introduced by Blakely and Simpson
geological structure hidden in the Quaternary alluvial (Vallon, 2014). (1986). We extended upwards the Bouguer anomalies every 250 m to an
Then, we applied the following treatment techniques on this gravity altitude of 20,000 m and we located the maxima of the horizontal
map: The vertical gradient (also called first vertical derivative), the gradient calculated for each level. The superposition of these horizontal
horizontal gradient and the upward continuation technique, and the gradient maxima allowed us to identify the deep fault’s limits and their
Euler deconvolution. Below, we give a quick overview of these tech­ dips. The shifting of maxima for altitude extension indicates the dip
niques and the way we used them. direction. For a vertical structure, these maxima overlap. The digitali­
zation of the obtained result allowed us to obtain the lineament map of
3.1.1. The vertical gradient or first vertical derivative (∂g/∂z) the study area.
This technique was applied to enhance anomalies of smaller and
near-surface geological features (Evjen, 1936; Baranov, 1953; Marson 3.1.3. The Euler deconvolution
and Klingele, 1993). It amplifies high frequency anomalies (residual This technique was applied to locate the sources in horizontal plan as
anomalies) and reduces or even eliminates low frequency anomalies well as their depths (Thompson, 1982; Reid et al., 1990; Keating, 1998;
(regional component). Asfirane and Galdeano, 2000; Khattach et al., 2004). The Euler’s equa­
tion is defined as follows:
3.1.2. The horizontal gradient and the upward continuation technique
∂g ∂g ∂g
These techniques were applied to determine the limits of deep faults (x − x0 ) + (y − y0 ) + (z − z0 ) = − NT(x, y)
∂x ∂y ∂z
and their dip (Cordell and and Grauch, 1985; Blakely and Simpson,
1986; Blakely, 1996; Everaets and Mansy, 2001; Khattach et al., 2004, where (x0, y0, z0) are the gravity source coordinates, g is the intensity of
Hachani et al., 2015, Frifita et al., 2019). The horizontal gradient is a the measured field to (x, y, z), and N is the structural index and it refers
technique that is used intensively to locate boundaries of density to the source geometry (i.e. N = 0 for a simple contact, N = 1 for the top
contrast from potential field data (Cordell, 1979; Cordell and Grauch, of the vertical dike or the edge of a sill). Adding to the structural index,

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F. Hachani et al. Journal of African Earth Sciences 172 (2020) 103984

Fig. 9. Apparent resistivity maps for AB/2 = 20 m (a), AB/2 = 100 m (b), and AB/2 = 200m.

the Euler deconvolution depends also on the grid step and the size of the resistivity and deducing the lithological natures of the layers) from the
deconvolution widows. The smaller the step is, the better the gradient is curve ρa = f (AB/2).
estimated. A window of 10 × 10 is used as empirical setting. It should be mentioned that the interpretation of a VES curve can
correspond to several different distributions (models) of resistivities and
thicknesses that can lead to indeterminacy (Koefoed, 1969; Olayinka,
3.2. The vertical electrical soundings (VES)
1997; Sanuade et al., 2019) which is frequently found in hydrogeo­
electric studies. This indeterminacy manifests itself in two particular
The VES method is used to characterise local groundwater in the
forms known as the principles of equivalence and suppression. The first
study area, and provide structural and lithological details on the plain.
relates to layers which resistivity is either lower or higher than those of
VES consists of injecting a continuous electric current I between two
the two host layers. The second principle relates to layers which re­
electrodes A and B and measuring a potential difference ΔV between two
sistivity is intermediate between those of the host layers. Such layers, as
other electrodes M and N. Then we calculate an apparent resistivity
long as they are not thick enough, do not or only slightly modify the
(inverse of the conductivity) ρa (Ω.m) = K. ΔV/I, where K is the geo­
curve of the electrical sounding.
metric coefficient which only depends on the device used (distances AM,
To reduce this ambiguity or indeterminacy, it is essential to calibrate
AN, BM and BN). As the electrodes A and B are moved away from the
the VES data on boreholes existing in the study area or directly on the
centre of the device (location of the VES) the current reaches significant
outcrops. The calibration is needed for the reliability and efficiency of
depths and therefore we will have information on the deepest layers. As
the interpretation. In the present study, three VESs were calibrated on
a result, we would have VES in terms of ρa = f (AB/2) which we must
boreholes of different depths (details in Sec. 4.2.3) and their results are
interpret. The investigation depth is theoretically the 1/3 to 1/4 of the
generalized to all the other VESs. Such results allowed us to establish the
maximal distance of the current electrodes (Frohlich et al., 1996; Dan­
geoelectric sections along selected profiles by interpolating the quanti­
ielsen et al., 2007).
tative interpretation results of each sounding and connecting the same
Compared to gravity which is a volume method, the VES method is
resistivity levels. Then, by correlating with the boreholes, we can
rather structural and generally used for shallower depths. In this work,
determine the lithology of layers. This allows the isobath and isopach
114 VES are acquired by different companies over several years in El
mapping of the geological formations, which is the ultimate objective of
Fahs plain using the Schlumberger array (Fig. 2). The data distribution is
prospecting. These maps are finally interpreted in terms of geology and
irregular, and the maximum current electrodes spacing AB is ranging
hydrogeology (Gasmi, 2002).
from 400 to 600 m.
The data of these VESs are interpreted qualitatively and quantita­
tively. The qualitative interpretation consists in establishing the maps of
equal apparent resistivities in increasing ABs and pseudosections along
the pre-established profiles. The quantitative interpretation of VES data
consists in defining a model of the subsoil (number, thicknesses and real

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F. Hachani et al. Journal of African Earth Sciences 172 (2020) 103984

Fig. 10. Geoelectrical pseudo-section along the profil 1 (a) and profil 4 (b).

4. Results and discussion and all along the Aouidet plain (N4) in the southwestern part. The N–S
negative anomaly axis corresponds to Garaet Hamada (N5). The
4.1. Gravity interpretation maximum negative value is shown in this depression and seems to be the
junction between El Fahs and Bou Arada plains.
4.1.1. Bouguer anomaly map
The first result obtained from the gravity data is the Bouguer 4.1.2. Vertical derivative map
anomaly map (Fig. 4). This map, provided information about the sub­ Results in Fig. 5 show that positive anomalies indicate rised zones,
surface density variation in the El Fahs plain and its surrounding areas, and that the basement is close to the surface. These zones are mainly
and showed anomalous zones that are significantly contrasted. The related to the Triassic, Cretaceous and Jurassic outcrops. They have been
resultant Bouguer anomalies values range from − 14 mGal to 22 mGal emphasized especially around the El Fahs plain: Jebel Ben Saidane (H1),
and shows positive and negative anomalies. These anomalies are sepa­ Jebel Douames (H2) and Argoubet El Hanech (H3) in the South; Jebel
rated by strong gravity gradients that indicate the presence of several Djahfa (H4), Jebel Beni Kleb-Rouisset (H5) and Argoubet Es Semmech
discontinuities in the subsurface. (H6) in the North; and Jebel Staa in the East (H7). On the other hand,
The positive anomalies concern mainly the Triassic, Jurassic, negative anomalies characterise the depression zones and indicate a
Cretaceous, and Oligocene outcrops. They correspond, from the East to thick and light cover. It is mainly the Mio-Plio-Quaternary deposits in
the West, to P1) the NE-SW positive anomaly axis going through the the plains (El Fahs D1, Bou Arada D2, Sminja D3), and Garaet Hamada-
Jebel Staa and Ben Saidane, P2) the N–S trend corresponding to the Sebkhat el Kourzia (D4).
Oligocene outcrop of the Jebel Djahfa and the Triassic outcrops located
in the North of El Fahs city P3) the NW-SE trend over Jebel Rouisset and 4.1.3. Lineament gravity map
Beni Kleb. The maximum amplitude value is shown in this area (22 As mentioned previously, the various anomalies treated above are
mGal), P4) the NE-SW trend corresponding to Argoub es Semmech, and separated by strong gravity gradients that indicate the presence of
P5) the NW-SE axis in the South of the El Fahs plain. several discontinuities in the subsurface. In general, these discontinu­
The Negative anomalies concern mainly the Quaternary and the ities can be a fault or a contact between two geologic units having
Pliocene deposits. The anomaly axes show various trends. The NW-SE different densities. Taking into account the geological data, it is
and E-W trending corresponds to El Fahs and the western part of the important to focus on the faulting system affecting the study area. The
Bou Arada plains, respectively (N1, N2). The NW-SE trending corre­ combined use of the horizontal gradient and the upward continuation
sponds to the Sminja plain (N3) in the northeastern part of the study area techniques (Fig. 6) allowed us to draw the lineament gravity map.

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F. Hachani et al. Journal of African Earth Sciences 172 (2020) 103984

Fig. 11. Calibration of the VES 70 on the borehole IRH N◦ 10,563/2.

Results, in Fig. 7, show that the area is affected by important faults with corresponds to the Upper Cretaceous outcrops.
different trending: NW-SE, E-W, N–S and NE-SW. Some of these faults However, the conductive series characterise the rest of the plain, and
confirm the observed one which are 1) the NW-SE and the E-W of the El reflect a Mio-Plio-Quaternary sandy-clay. The lowest apparent re­
Fahs and Bou Arada grabens, respectively, and 2) the NE-SW thrust fault sistivity values (<5 Ω m) are in Jebel Bessioud near Sebkhat el Kourzia
of Zaghouan. However, a new N–S fault system is highlighted in this in the West of the study area, and characterise the Triassic outcrop,
study, mainly on either side of Garaet Hamada. These N–S faults are which evaporites dissolution leads to the mineralization of groundwater.
deep (>2500 m according to Euler’s solutions) at the NW edge of the Fig. 9b, shows a decrease of the apparent resistivity values (from 30
NW-SE El Fahs graben. The N–S direction affects also the Jurassic de­ to 15 Ω m) in Bled Ben Saidane in the SE of the study area. The series
posits of the “dorsal” and forms the eastern boundary of the Mio- become more conductive in depth comparing to the shallow. This re­
Pliocene basin. From the gravity interpretation, we can deduce that flects a marl deposits in depth. In the North (Jebel Mabrouk) and the
the El Fahs plain corresponds to a collapsed area limited by three fault South (El Jebha and Jebel Douames areas) of the study area, there is a
systems E-W, NW-SE and N–S. The depth of these faults can reach in persistence of the resistant series with a slight increase of the apparent
some places 2800 m, as calculated by Euler deconvolution (Fig. 8). This resistivity in Jebel Mabrouk (100 Ω.m). The rest of the plain is charac­
result allowed us to better describe the geometry of the El Fahs graben. terised by Lower resistivity values (<10 Ω m).
The previous studies (Chihi, 1995; Ben Ayed, 1993) considered that the Fig. 9c shows a decrease of the apparent resistivity (30 Ω.m) in the
El Fahs graben is bounded by NW-SE faults. However, in our study, the South in Jebel Douames and El Jebha areas showing that the very
gravity results showed that the El Fahs graben is also bounded by N–S resistant series are shallow. Fig. 9c also shows an increase of the re­
faults in the northeastern part (Garaet Hammada), and E-W faults in the sistivity at Jebel Mabrouk (150 Ω.m) that characterises the Cretaceous
northwestern part of the southern border of the graben. carbonate series. The most conductive series are in the central part of El
Fahs plain, in the El Fahs city, Jrabiaa wadi, El Kebir wadi and Bou
Dhebbane wadi areas. The apparent resistivity’s recorded low values
4.2. VES interpretation (<5 Ω m) explain the presence of fine clay-marly deposits.
The comparison between our isoresistivity maps and the ground­
4.2.1. Apparent resistivity maps water salinity map of El Fahs plain that was reported in an earlier work
In this study, we display three iso-apparent resistivity maps that (Khanfir, 1984; Fezai, 2016) shows their consistency. Indeed, the
reflect the lateral variations over a horizontal plane at the AB/2 = 20, resistant zones correspond to low water salinity that is less than 2 g/l
100 and 200 m, and at depths of about 10, 50 and 100 m, respectively (such as in the upstream area of the El Kebir wadi) while the conductive
(Fig. 9). zones correspond to high water salinity that exceeds 3 g/l (such as in
The result in Fig. 9a shows that the most resistant series are in the Garaet Hamada in the NW).
North, the South, and the South East of the study area. In the North, the
highest apparent resistivity value is registered in Jebel Mabrouk (60 Ω. 4.2.2. Geoelectrical pseudosection profiles
m), and reflects the Cretaceous carbonate deposits. In the South and the To better follow the conductive and resistant structure previously
South East, the highest apparent resistivity values (120 Ω.m) are in Jebel described in depth, and see the relationship between them, we have
Douames, El Jebha surroundings and Jebel Ben Saidane. This

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F. Hachani et al. Journal of African Earth Sciences 172 (2020) 103984

Fig. 12. Geoelectric (GE1, GE2, GE3) and electrostratigraphic (ES1, ES2, ES3) cross sections in El Fahs plain.

established, five pseudosections along five profiles (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5) lithology, and the second is a relatively resistant level (>16 Ω m)
at various directions: NE-SW, NW-SE, E-W, N–S (Fig. 2). figures 10a and which consists of a sandy clay and gravel deposits
10b are representative results. They show that the deepest resistant • The Cretaceous is represented by two geoelectric levels: the first is a
anomalies are registered in Jebel Douames in the South of the plain conductive level (<17 Ω m), which consists of marl the second is a
under the VES 3, 9 and 53 in profile 4, and between VES 99 and 58 in resistant level (>20 Ω m) which consists a marl-limestone lithology
profile 1). The isoresistivity curves verticalization and the strong re­
sistivity gradient in some places (VES 99, 58, 3 and 39) indicates the 4.2.4. Geoelectrical and electrostatigraphic cross sections
presence of faults. The correlation of the true resistivity estimated by calibration along
profiles and the adding of the lithology allowed us to establish five
4.2.3. The calibration of the vertical electrical soundings on the boreholes geoelectric and electrostratigraphic sections, respectively (Gasmi,
To refine the qualitative interpretation and to elaborate the geometry 2002). Three of them, taken as representative cross sections, are shows
of the potential units in El Fahs plain, a quantitative interpretation is in Fig. 12.
needed. As part of this work, three VES standards were performed on The geoelectric and electrostratigraphic cross sections along profil 2
boreholes of various depths, and capturing different formations. This (GE1, ES1 in Fig. 12) show the following three levels, from the top to
further identifies the different geological levels and indicates their ages. bottom:
Fig. 11 is one example of calibration the VES 70 on the IRH borehole No.
10563/2. The results of calibrations show that there are three units in El • The first level includes all sub-levels that are superficial and geo­
Fahs plain: electricaly different. This unit corresponds to a heterogeneous ma­
terial from the Quaternary and rich 14 m.
• The Quaternary superficial cover (Q) is heterogeneous and is rep­ • The second level, which is relatively conductive (>10 Ω m), corre­
resented by several geoelectric levels with varying resistivities sponds to the Mio-Pliocene sandstone clay. The total thickness of the
• The Mio-Pliocene (MP) is represented by two geoelectric levels: the Mio-Pliocene is variable and exceeds 100 m.
first is a conductive level (<15 Ω m), which consists of a clay • The third level shows alternation between conductive (6–14 Ω m)
and resistant levels (19–32 Ω m). This corresponds, respectively, to

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F. Hachani et al. Journal of African Earth Sciences 172 (2020) 103984

Fig. 13. The isopach (a,b) and isobath (c) maps of El Fahs plain (a: the Quaternary isopach map; b: the Mio-Pliocene isopach map; c: Upper Cretaceous isobath map).

the marl and the marl limestone of the Upper Cretaceous. This later rejection exceeds 50m.
outcrops under VES 85 and 83.
4.2.5. Isobath and isopach maps
In the East of this E-W profile, we note that the Quaternary is thin and The electrostratigraphic levels previously identified (Quaternary,
covers the Mio-Pliocene. However, in the West, the Quaternary rests Mio-Pliocene and Upper Cretaceous) along the sections can be charac­
directly on the Upper Cretaceous (VES 43). terised by the following maps representing their depths (isobaths maps
From a structural point of view, the GE1 and ES1 sections revealed a of roofs) and their thicknesses (isopachs maps).
normal fault (F1) between VES 43 and 47 which collapsed the eastern The Quaternary isopach map (Fig. 13a).
compartment and brought the Upper Cretaceous marl-limestone series This map shows that Quaternary thickening is in the North of the
into contact with the clays of the Mio-Pliocene. plain with a maximum of 48 m at El Fahs city area and a minimum of 3 m
The Geoelectric and electrostratigraphic cross sections along profil 4 in the South of the study area.
(GE2, ES2 in Fig. 12) show all the geoelectrical units previously The Mio-Pliocene isopach map (Fig. 13b).
described with a thickening of the Quaternary in the North that reaches The figure shows that the thickness of the Mio-Pliocene deposits
40 m. Towards the North, there is a lateral facies change with a varies irregularly from 50 m (in the South) to 190 m (along El Kebir
thickeness reduction of the Mio-Pliocene clay-sandstone (25 m). This is wadi). It is an E-W thickening zone in the centre of the plain.
caused by the Mio-Pliocene erosion and the filling of the recent Structurally, three faults (F1, F2, F3) highlighted on the geoelectrical
Quaternary. cross sections have been identified at the curves disturbances in the
In the North, the Quaternary covers the Mio-Pliocene, while it covers South of this map where we have fairly strong gradients of thickness.
the Upper Cretaceous towards the South under the VES 3 and 9. These NW-SE and NNW-SSE faults have collapsed the North compart­
From a structural point of view, correlations highlighted a normal ment, and are responsible for the thickening of the Mio-Plio-Quaternary.
fault (F2) between the VES 9 and 53 causing the collapse of the North The Upper Cretaceous isobath map (Fig. 13c).
compartment. The map shows that the depth of the Upper Cretaceous top varies
The Geoelectric and electrostratigraphic cross sections along profil 5 from 0 m (outcrop) to more than 150 m. The deepening is in the centre of
(GE3, ES3 in Fig. 12) also show the same succession of the three geo­ the plain in favour of a thickening of the Mio-Plio-Quaternary cover.
electricaly units previously described. We still found the fault F1, be­ In the South of the study area, the Cretaceous is outcropping, and
tween the boreholes 10,897/2 and 8964/2, that collapsed the NW sometimes is at low values of depth (<20m). The NW-SE faults (F1, F2
compartment, and responsible of the SE compartment uplift. Another and F3) represented by the curves disturbances cause the deepening of
normal fault (F3) is highlighted between the VES 2 and the borehole the Mio-Pliocene. Another NW-SE fault (F4) is highlighted and affects
8962/2. F3 is responsible for collapsing the compartment NW. The fault the Upper Cretaceous at the southern end of the study area.

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F. Hachani et al. Journal of African Earth Sciences 172 (2020) 103984

Fig. 14. Overlaying the geophysical results and the piezometric map of the El Fahs plain.

Fig. 15. Potential areas map for water exploitation in El Fahs plain.

To summarise, the geophysical study by VES allows us to identify the • The Quaternary covering the El Fahs plain is highly heterogeneous in
thickness, the lithology and the depth of the aquifer layers. The study nature and of variable thickness, reaching up to 48 m near the El Fahs
revealed the following characteristics: city
• The deposits of the Mio-Pliocene have a thickness varying from 50 to
190 m and consist of a conductive unit (<15 Ω m) of clayey nature

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F. Hachani et al. Journal of African Earth Sciences 172 (2020) 103984

and of a relatively resistant unit (>16 Ω m) of nature clayey- nature of the sediments filling them and to locate the lineaments, their
sandstone depths and dips over the entire surveyed area (up to 2800 m in our
• The Upper Cretaceous is also composed of a conductive unit (<17 Ω study). The electric method using VES as a structural method focuses on
m) of marly nature and a resistant unit (>20 Ω m) of calcareous shallower zones (200 m in our study) and provided more details on the
marly nature. Its depth varies from 0 m (outcrop) to more than 150 types of subsurface sediments, their thicknesses and their lateral
m. distributions.

4.3. Discussion 5. Conclusions and recommendations

The integration of the aforementioned results together is illustrated In this work, we conducted a study on the El Fahs plain that inte­
in Fig. 14, showing the superposition of the geophysical results (vertical grated geophysical, sturctural and hydrogeological data in order to
gradient, gravity and electrical lineaments, etc.) with the piezometric understand the substructure in both shallow and deep aspects, and
map of the El Fahs plain. It shows a good hydrogeophysical agreement reveal more details on the hydrogeological potential of the study area.
attested by the direction of groundwater flow towards the low-vertical The qualitative and quantitative interpretation of the gravity data
gradients zones (El Fahs plain, Sebkhat el Kourzia and Gararet Ham­ provide a description of the regional aspect of the basin. We deduced
ada) which constitutes depressions of groundwater accumulation. Here, that the El Fahs plain corresponds to a collapsed area bounded by three
the salinity increases (>3g/l) which explains the low values of apparent fault systems E-W, NW-SE and N–S. Some of these faults are conform to
resistivity (Fig. 9) recorded by the VES. the existing ones. The depth of these faults can reach 2800 m in some
The comparison of the structural results obtained by the two places. From a hydrogeology point of view, the gravity results show that
methods shows their consistency. Indeed, Fig. 14 shows that the NW-SE the groundwater flow is strongly influenced by the morphostructure of
trending faults highlighted by the VES interpretation (F1, F2 and F3) in the basin and the existing faults in the area.
the southern border of the plain of El Fahs correspond perfectly to the On a local scale and concerning the deposits filling this basin, the
major gravity lineament L1 with a small shift. This slight difference VES constituted a powerful tool as for the characterisation of the lith­
between the results of the two methods is due, apart from the specifics of ological series on shallower depth and their lateral and vertical distri­
each method, to the dip of this lineament and to the investigation depth. butions over a depth exceeding 200 m. As a result, the Quaternary
The faults F1, F2 and F3 are detected in small investigation depth. covering the El Fahs plain is highly heterogeneous and of variable
However, the major lineament L1 is detected in deeper investigation thickness reaching 48 m near the El Fahs city area. The Mio-Pliocene
depth (2800 m) with a dip to the North. The sedimentation in the plain is deposits have a thickness varying from 50 to 190 m, and it is
controlled by these faults leading to the thickening of the Mio-Pliocene composed of conductive (<15 Ω m) and resistant (>16 Ω m) units that
(190 m). consist predominantly of clay and sandy-clay deposits, respectively. The
From a hydrogeological point of view, these faults brought into underlying Upper Cretaceous is composed of conductive (<17 Ω m) and
contact different aquifers favouring an intercommunication between resistant (>20 Ω m) units that consist predominantly of marl and marl-
their waters as it is the case between the Mio-Pliocene and the Creta­ limestone deposits, respectively. Its top depth varies from 0 m (outcrop)
ceous (Fig. 12). On the other hand, the groundwater flow direction is to more than 150 m. Structurally, the VES results reveal that there are
perpendicular to the main faults (Fig. 14). This implies that the faults three normal faults that are responsible for collapsing the central part of
promote water drainage and play a hydrodynamic role in the rapid the plain. This collapsed zone constitutes a hydrogeological basin with
transfer of water, mainly in the South of the study area. In the north­ significant groundwater potentials stored in the aforementioned series.
western part of the study area, the faults have favoured the infiltration of The flow of groundwater from the South to the North would be favoured
salt water coming from the leaching of the Triassic evaporites oucrops by inter communications between aquifers due to the existing faults.
that is close to Sebkhat el Kourzia, and Jebel Beni Kleb- Rouisset. This The compilation of data allowed us to delineate four potential areas
serves to explain the high-salinity values (>3 g/l) at Garaat El Hmada. for water exploitation in the prospected zone. These results help to
Our study has important hydrogeological implications for the local control groundwater exploitation and quality problems. They also help
stakeholders as it delineates the areas that are favourable for the to improve management and sustainability of groundwater resources in
exploitation of potential units (Fig. 15). These units are: an area.
We believe that our study paves the way to a number of promising
• The Mio-Pliocene-Quaternary: It is an important groundwater target research directions. The obtained results, although important in terms of
which exploitation is favourable at the maximum depths of 190 m in hydrogeological implications, can be refined by adding VES covering the
the two following areas: entire plain and with larger ABs. To explore deeper aquifers, it is
• Area I: in the El Kebir wadi where the aquifer thickness is maximum necessary to use seismic reflection data produced by oil companies. This
• Area II: corresponds to the SE of the study area in Ech Chair wadi and would allow, in addition to the deepening of the hydrogeological
bled Ben Saidane knowledge of this basin, to verify possible relationships with the
• The Cretaceous: It has higher potential than the Mio-Pliocene aquifer. neighboring basins such as those of Bou Arada and Sminja.
The Cretaceous is an important aquifer in both a conductor marly Furthermore, our contributions in terms of structural investigations
dominant level (<17 Ω m), and a relatively resistant level (>20 Ω m) using the gravity method could be leveraged to conduct a more thorough
containing limestones. Based on the importance of the resistivity and structural study in order to reveal the geodynamic of the region and
thickness of the Cretaceous, we could delineate the following areas contextualise it within the geological evolution of Tunisia NE. This
that are a target of groundwater exploitation: would require integrating other geophysical methods (e.g. seismic
• Area III located in Jebel Douames in the South of the study area reflection).
where the Upper Cretaceous is outcropped, and in depth in Haouita
region with maximum depth of 140 m References
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