New overview of the neotectonic and seismotectonic studies in Tunisian domains

The Tunisian domain is formed following the convergence between Nubia and Eurasia which is responsible for folding and still active faulting. We used 62 earthquake focal mechanisms to constrain the present stress field of the Tunisian domain. The results show that the tectonic regime is compressional with a dominant direction NW-SE maximum horizontal principal stress direction. The focal depth distribution indicates that Northern Tunisia is an area of convergence with a thin crust and a shallow Moho. However, in the central and southern Atlas, the presence of focal mechanisms with strike-slip faulting shows that this zone is a deep seismogenic area with a thick crust.These results are consistent with the neotectonic and seismotectonic stress field determined by other studies. The neotectonic deformations of Tunisia are like the past deformations guided by the convergence between the African and the Eurasian plates.     

Contribution de la gravimétrie et de la sismique réflexion pour une nouvelle interprétation géodynamique des fossés d'effondrement en Tunisie : exemple du fossé de Grombalia

Troughs in Tunisia are interpreted as Plio-Quaternary structures associated to normal faults (grabens) or to flexure faults. Gravity data and seismic sections are used in this study to clarify the structure and the geodynamic evolution of an example of trough: the Grombalia trough (northeastern Tunisia), since the Upper Miocene to the Quaternary. A high residual negative gravity anomaly, which reaches ?15 mGal, is interpreted as being related to the thickening of Mio-Plio-Quaternary deposits (and probably older), as illustrated by seismic data. This subsidence has been the result of a negative flower structure related to strike-slip faults that have been reactivated with normal component during the Upper Miocene and with reverse component during the Pliocene. Seismic and gravity data demonstrate that the fault system is rooted, and more than four kilometres deep. The Grombalia example outlines the association between troughs and strike-slip faults; such a system is recognized in Tunisia, in the Ionian Sea and in the Pelagian Sea. To cite this article: M. Hadj Sassi et al., C. R. Geoscience 338 (2006).     

Metal contamination of surface sediments of the Sfax–Chebba coastal line,Tunisia

Concentrations of several heavy metals (Pb, Cr, Cd, Cu, Zn and Fe) in surface sediment were determined to investigate the distributions and the metallic pollution status in Sfax–Chebba coastal area (southeast of Tunisia). Sediment samples were collected from 20 locations, representing three different site groups (i.e., site I: urban zone, site II: pre-urban zone and site III: rural zone). Heavy metal contents were analyzed by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. The obtained results showed that generally, heavy metal concentrations in the coastal sediments near Sfax city (urban zone) were higher than those at other stations because of the anthropogenic activities. These concentrations exceeded the threshold effect levels. This was confirmed by the chemometric approaches (enrichment factors, geoaccumulation index and principal component analysis) which showed a significant impact of multiple anthropogenic sources. Moderate to extremely severe enrichment of sediments in terms of Pb, Cr, Cd, Cu and Zn were shown to exist in site I. Severe enrichment by Cd was also observed in other sites. Based on the geoaccumulation index, Pb, Cr, Cd, Cu and Zn can be considered as unpollutants to extreme pollutants.