Application of multivariate statistical analysis and hydrochemical and isotopic investigations for evaluation of groundwater quality and its suitability for drinking and agriculture purposes: case of Oum Ali-Thelepte aquifer, central Tunisia

Abstract

Groundwater plays a dominant role in arid regions; it is among the most available water resources in Tunisia. Located in northwestern Tunisia, Oum Ali-Thelepte is a deep Miocene sedimentary aquifer, where groundwater is the most important source of water supply. The aim of the study is to investigate the hydrochemical processes leading to mineralization and to assess water quality with respect to agriculture and drinking for a better management of groundwater resources. To achieve such objectives, water analysis was carried out on 16 groundwater samples collected during January-February 2014. Stable isotopes and 26 hydrochemical parameters were examined. The interpretation of these analytical data showed that the concentrations of major and trace elements were within the permissible level for human use. The distribution of mineral processes in this aquifer was identified using conventional classification techniques, suggesting that the water facies gradually changes from Ca-HCO3 to Mg-SO4 type and are controlled by water-rock interaction. These results were endorsed using multivariate statistical methods such as principal component analysis and cluster analysis. The sustainability of groundwater for drinking and irrigation was assessed based on the water quality index (WQI) and on Wilcox and Richards's diagrams. This aquifer has been classified as "excellent water" serving good irrigation in the area. As for the stable isotope, the measurements showed that groundwater samples lay between global meteoric water line (GMWL) and LMWL; hence, this arrangement signifies that the recharge of the Oum Ali-Thelepte aquifer is ensured by rainwater infiltration through mountains in the border of the aquifer without evaporation effects.

Hydrogeochemistry of Groundwater from Kazaure Area, NW Nigeria using Multivariate Statistics

“…Assessment of ground water resources in arid and semi arid regions are of utmost importance [1]. Many developing countries are often not able to manage their water resources to sustainably meet present and future demands [2,3].…”

Groundwater quality assessment of urban Bengaluru using multivariate statistical techniques

“…Principal component analysis (PCA) has been utilized to take out the noise from huge data matrix and classify the variables into measurable components, discriminant analysis (DA) recognizes the most segregating measurable element/variable according to goodness and cluster analysis (CA) chooses the identical group inside a specific data set. Characterization and evaluation of surface and freshwater quality performed by multivariate statistical techniques has proved to be useful in verifying spatial and temporal variations caused naturally and due to human induced factors also (Helena et al 2000;Singh et al 2004Singh et al , 2005Hassen et al 2016).…”

A Multidisciplinary Approach for Clarifying the Recharge Processes and Origin of Saline Water in the Semi-Arid Punata Alluvial fan in Bolivia

“…Surface water access is considered to play a crucial role for the development of economic and social activities, but groundwater reserves can be as important as surface water and can thus play a similar role especially in arid and semiarid regions of the world [1][2][3]. Alluvial fans are generally located in arid and semi-arid zones, and they have the nature of having permeable layers where water can be stored, thus, they can be important sources of water supply.…”

“…Different approaches for understanding groundwater processes across the world have been presented in the literature, e.g., Burbery and Vincent [4]; Edmunds and Droubi [5]; Fetter [6], Han, et al [7]; Hassen, Hamzaoui-Azaza, and Bouhlila [1]; Herczeg, et al [8]; Stimson, et al [9]; Yuan, et al [10]; and, Zhang, Song, Zhang, Han, Tang, Yu, and Ma [3]. For instance, Kolsi, et al [11] used multivariate statistical approach and stable isotope analysis obtaining valuable information about hydrogeological parameters.…”

“…The climate in this period was predominately dry and saline material with high clay content was deposited [12]. Figure 1b shows the deposition of Quaternary sediments in the Punata alluvial fan, as follows: (1) In the apex of the fan, fluvial (Qa) and terrace sediments were deposited. These deposits are mainly composed of coarse material, varying from boulders to sand; (2) The middle of the fan is a transitory zone from alluvial (Qaa) to fluvio-lacustrine (Qfl) deposits.…”