Prediction of sediment yield at storm period in Northwest Algeria

This paper studies the hydrodynamics and variability of stream flow and sediment yield in Wadi El Hammam, located in the semi-arid region of Algeria. In this location, hysteresis effects are obvious especially during high discharge periods. The sediment concentration and load maxima go several months before discharge maxima, while decreased sediment concentrations are noticed during the discharge peaks. In order to explain these phenomena, we have adopted a methodology that consists of finding a simple regression model capable of explaining the sediment load as a function of the water discharge measured at gauging stations of three rivers at various scales, e.g., annual and seasonal. Suspended sediment concentrations are measured during a 22-year period (1986/1987–2007/2008). The results have shown that the power model explains the greatest part of the variance (80%). The changes in sediment availability result in so-called hysteresis effects. In this work, we have described different loops: clockwise or positive hysteresis loops and anti- or counter-clockwise hysteresis loops. The analysis of the seasonal sediment yields has shown that the autumn season contributes a large proportion of the annual sediment yield (62%).     

An elimination of the critical terms of a first-order Uranus-Neptune theory by Hori's method

We eliminate the 1:2 critical terms — after a previous elimination of the short period terms — in the Hamiltonian of a first order U-N theory. We take into account terms of degree 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 in the eccentricity-inclination. We apply for this elimination the Hori-Lie technique through the Poincaré canonical variables and the Jacobi coordinates. The purely principal first order secular U-N Hamiltonian admits a complete solution. We obtained the U-N equations of motion generated by the principal first order long period U-N Hamiltonian which will be solved later. This part III is closely related to the two previous papers (Kamel, 1982, 1983).     

East-west stationkeeping requirements of nearly synchronous satellites due to Earth's triaxiality and luni-solar effects

A closed form solution, for longitude and semimajor axis deviations in the neighborhood of a prespecified station, is obtained for nearly synchronous satellites. The model use includes the important terms in Earth's zonal and tesseral harmonics as well as the luni-solar perturbations. The initial semimajor axis for two-maneuver east-west stationkeeping is then deduced. Due to the luni-solar effects, it is found that the initial semimajor axis deviation from synchronous orbit value is highly dependent on the initial position of the satellite relative to the Moon and the Sun. Verifications of the results by means of numerical integrations are also included.     

Some useful results on initial node locations for near-equatorial circular satellite orbits

Perturbation theory based on Lie transforms is used to obtain a second-order long period solution for inclination and right ascension of ascending node, of near-equatorial circular satellite orbits. The solution includes the average effects of the Earth's oblateness and the luni-solar perturbations. Three algorithms, useful in mission analysis, are then given. The first algorithm finds the initial node location that results in a decrease of inclination to zero and it also finds the corresponding time to arrive at this zero inclination. The second algorithm determines the initial nodal band that maintains the orbital inclination below a specified value for a given time interval. The third algorithm obtains the initial node location that maximizes the time in which the satellite can be maintained within a given inclination tolerance without the use of any active control and it also obtains the corresponding maximum time. The results of the first and the third algorithms are given for 24-h near-equatorial circular satellite orbits and are cast in simple closed forms.     

The construction of a third order secular analytical J-S-U-N theory by Hori-Lie technique

The first and second order generating functions and the first second and third order new J-S-U-N Hamiltonians are calculated by the Hori-Lie procedure.     

Elimination of the critical terms in a first-order general planetary theory

We construct a first order canonical general planetary theory, assuming the solar system to be composed of 8 planets excluding Pluto, referring to common fixed plane and applying the Jacobi-Radau set of origins. We eliminated by von Zeipel's method the 2:5 and 1:2 critical terms of Jupiter-Saturn and Uranus-Neptune inequalities. Our variables are those of Poincaré, and we expanded up to power three in the eccentricities and sines of the inclinations.     

Calpionellid zonation of the Jurassic–Cretaceous transition in North-Atlasic Tunisia. Updated Upper Jurassic stratigraphy of the ‘Tunisian trough’ and regional correlations

The analysis of calpionellid associations from jebels Amar and Jédidi sections in North-Atlasic Tunisia provides, for the first time, a precise biozonation of the Jurassic–Cretaceous transition succession. In the light of the new data obtained and considering recently published results, the age of Upper Jurassic formations is clarified, allowing correlations with the Tunisian ‘Dorsale’ and the North–South Axis successions. Within the Maghrebides' range, sections from the external zones correlated to the Tunisian successions are quite distinctive from their equivalent in the internal zones. Both have evolved in different palaeogeographic domains related to the early structuration of the northwestern and southwestern Tethys margins. To cite this article: M. Boughdiri et al., C. R. Geoscience 338 (2006).     

Deciphering groundwater flow between the Complex Terminal and Plio-Quaternary aquifers in Chott Gharsa plain (southwestern Tunisia) using isotopic and chemical tools

Abstract

The Complex Terminal (CT) and Plio-Quaternary (P-Q) aquifers in the Chott Gharsa plain in southwestern Tunisia have been investigated with the aid of chemical and isotopic tools. It has been demonstrated that groundwater from the CT is mainly of palaeo-origin, especially in the western and central parts of the plain where the most negative values of δ¹⁸O and δ²H were observed (between??8.1 and??7.6‰ for δ¹⁸O, and??60 to??57‰ for δ²H), combined with low concentrations of radiocarbon (6.8–7.5 pmc) and absence of tritium. Modern recharge of the aquifer occurs only in the eastern part of the system where younger waters were observed, as indicated by their stable isotope composition, relatively high radiocarbon content and presence of tritium. Groundwater from the P-Q multi-layer aquifer represents mixtures of ascending deep CT waters and modern water recharging the P-Q aquifer system. Isotope mass balance was used to quantify mixing proportions. The calculations showed that the contribution of deep CT groundwater to the P-Q aquifer system reaches about 75% in the western and central parts of the plain where the CT aquifer remains strongly artesian. This contribution decreases to about 15% towards the eastern part of the plain, as a consequence of significant reduction of artesian pressure in this area of the CT aquifer. Chemical data suggest that mineralization of the studied groundwater systems is controlled mainly by dissolution of evaporative minerals (halite, anhydrite and gypsum) and cation exchange reactions with the matrix, possibly enhanced by recent anthropogenic disturbance of the system caused by lowering of the water table due to heavy exploitation and return flow of saline irrigation water into the P-Q aquifer.

Editor D. Koutsoyiannis; Associate editor E. Custodio

Citation Yangui, H., Abidi, I., Zouari, K., and Rozanski, K., 2012. Deciphering groundwater flow between the Complex Terminal and Plio-Quaternary aquifers in Chott Gharsa plain (southwestern Tunisia) using isotopic and chemical tools. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 57 (5), 967–984.     

Application of environmental tracers to study groundwater recharge in a semi-arid area of Central Tunisia

Abstract

Groundwater of the Tertiary-Quaternary Formations in the Jeloula basin (Central Tunisia), together with rain and surface waters, were analysed to investigate the mineralization processes, the origin of the water and its recharge sources. The water samples present a large spatial variability of chemical facies which is related to their interaction with the geological formations. The main sources of the water mineralization are the dissolution of evaporitic and carbonate minerals and cation exchange reactions. Stable isotopes indicate that most groundwater samples originate from infiltration of modern precipitation. Surface water samples from small dam reservoirs show a ¹⁸O/²H enrichment, which is typical of water exposed to open-surface evaporation in a semi-arid region. Considerable data of ³H and ¹⁴C allow the qualitative identification of the present-day recharge that is probably supplied by infiltration of recent flood waters in the Wadi El Hamra valley, and by direct infiltration of meteoric water through the local carbonate outcrops.

Editor D. Koutsoyiannis; Associate editor S. Faye     

Deciphering interaction of regional aquifers in Southern Tunisia using hydrochemistry and isotopic tools

Groundwater is the most important source of water supply in southern Tunisia. Previous hydrogeologic and isotopic studies carried out in this region revealed the existence of two major aquifer systems: the “Complex Terminal” (CT) and the “Continental Intercalaire” (CI). Turonian carbonates constitute one of the major aquifer levels of the CT multilayered aquifer. It extends over most of southern Tunisia, and its hydrodynamic regime is largely influenced by tectonics, lithology and recharge conditions. Forty-eight groundwater samples from the CI and Turonian aquifers were collected between January and April 2004 for chemical and isotopic analyses. Hydrochemistry and isotopic tools were combined to get an insight into the processes controlling chemical composition of groundwater and wide-scale interaction of these two aquifer systems. Analysis of the dissolved constituents revealed that several processes control the observed chemical composition: (i) incongruent dissolution of carbonate minerals, (ii) dissolution of evaporitic minerals, and (iii) cation exchange. Dissolution alone cannot account for the observed high supersaturation states of groundwater with respect to calcite and dolomite. The observed supersaturation is most probably linked to geogenic CO₂ entering water-bearing horizons of the CT and CI aquifers via deep tectonic faults and discontinuities and subsequent degassing in the exploitation wells. Presence of geogenic CO₂ in the investigated region was confirmed by C isotope data of the DIC reservoir. The radiocarbon content of the Turonian samples varied between 9.5 and 43 pmc. For CI samples generally lower values were recorded, between 3.8 and 22.5 pmc. Stable isotope composition of Turonian groundwater samples varied from −8.3 to −5.3‰ for δ¹⁸O and from −60 to −25‰ for δ²H. The corresponding ranges of δ values for the Continental Intercalaire samples were from −8.9‰ to −6.9‰ for δ¹⁸O and from −68.2‰ to −45.7‰ for δ²H. Stable isotope composition of groundwater representing CT and CI aquifers provide strong evidence for regional interaction between both systems.