Répartition des minéraux argileux et contrôle tectono-eustatique dans les bassins de la marge tunisienne

We have studied the clay assemblages found in the different palaeogeographic domains located at the several Tunisian margin basins, ranging in age from Palaeozoic to Neogene. This study has allowed us to characterize and highlight the relationship between the clay distribution in time and space and the geodynamic and eustatic events. Marine regressions, with the intensification of erosion, seem to be responsible for illite increases, whereas transgressions, in concordance with a warm and dry climate, coincide with the smectite dominance. The minimum marine level coincides with the abundance of palygorskite. Mineralogic changes in the clay assemblages as well as in the proportion of the different clay minerals will tentatively be related to erosive tectonic events and/or to subsiding and rifting events, marked by the inheritance or the neoformation of the several clays.     

Sea-level rise impact on the evolution of a microtidal Mediterranean coastline without human-made structures——a case of the Port aux Princes-Sidi Daoued coastline,Gulf of Tunis,NE-Tunisia

The evolution of the natural and pristine Mediterranean coastline Port aux Princes-Sidi Daoued(Gulf of Tunis,NE-Tunisia) is studied during the period of 1887–2010 on the basis of an ancient minute of bathymetry(1887) and aerial photographs treated by numerical photogrammetric methods. Morphological changes of the coastline shows a general retreat despite the absence of the various anthropogenic actions. Adding to the drift currents and the currents of high energy that are generated by the N-W dominant waves along steeply sub-marine funds, the erosion is mainly due to the sea level rise which increased since the beginning of the 2000 s. The Port aux PrincesSidi Daoued coastline works as a single littoral cell limited by Jbel Korbous to the SW and the fishing harbor of Sidi Daoued to the N-E.     

Filtering of the gravimetric anomalies to the study of the geological structures of Oued Zarga (Septentrional Tunisia): structural implications

Gravity data were analysed in the Northern Tunisian Atlas (case study of Oued Zarga area) to better understand the organization of its underlying structures. The gravity data analysis included the construction of a gravity anomaly maps and two and a half dimensional gravity model. The qualitative analysis of gravimetric maps served for the foundation of a new structural map of the study region that constitutes a new contribution of the gravimetry in this present work. In addition, the complete Bouguer and residual gravity anomaly maps indicate a negative gravity anomaly over the Triassic evaporitic outcrops of Jebel Guerouaou and prominent NE?CSW-trending features associated with the boundary of the Triassic rocks and surrounded layers. A NW?CSE-trending gravity model that crosses the Triassic evaporitic outcrop at Jebel Guerouaou can be explained by a deep-rooted salt diapir.     

Tectono-sedimentary events and geodynamic evolution of the Mesozoic and Cenozoic basins of the Alpine Margin,Gulf of Tunis,north-eastern Tunisia offshore

The structural pattern, tectono-sedimentary framework and geodynamic evolution for Mesozoic and Cenozoic deep structures of the Gulf of Tunis (north-eastern Tunisia) are proposed using petroleum well data and a 2-D seismic interpretation. The structural system of the study area is marked by two sets of faults that control the Mesozoic subsidence and inversions during the Paleogene and Neogene times: (i) a NE-SW striking set associated with folds and faults, which have a reverse component; and (ii) a NW–SE striking set active during the Tertiary extension episodes and delineating grabens and subsiding synclines. In order to better characterize the tectono-sedimentary evolution of the Gulf of Tunis structures, seismic data interpretations are compared to stratigraphic and structural data from wells and neighbouring outcrops. The Atlas and external Tell belonged to the southernmost Tethyan margin record a geodynamic evolution including: (i) rifting periods of subsidence and Tethyan oceanic accretions from Triassic until Early Cretaceous: we recognized high subsiding zones (Raja and Carthage domains), less subsiding zones (Gamart domain) and a completely emerged area (Raouad domain); (ii) compressive events during the Cenozoic with relaxation periods of the Oligocene-Aquitanian and Messinian-Early Pliocene. The NW–SE Late Eocene and Tortonian compressive events caused local inversions with sealed and eroded folded structures. During Middle to Late Miocene and Early Pliocene, we have identified depocentre structures corresponding to half-grabens and synclines in the Carthage and Karkouane domains. The north–south contractional events at the end of Early Pliocene and Late Pliocene periods are associated with significant inversion of subsidence and synsedimentary folded structures. Structuring and major tectonic events, recognized in the Gulf of Tunis, are linked to the common geodynamic evolution of the north African and western Mediterranean basins.     

Pastoralists in transition — a case study from Lengijape,Maasai Steppe

The change of the Maasai from pure pastoralists to agropastoralists has brought about serious problems for them. This paper tries to analyse this process of change and to throw some light on the resultant problems. First, it is being shown how the climate of the Maasai Steppe is too dry for a successful cultivation of maize by them, which has become their main food. Successive crop failures and high labour costs have rendered maize-growing a losing-business for the Maasai. Moreover, the State policy of granting certificates of occupancy in the Maasai land to outsiders allowing them to make large-mechanized farms, has alarmed the Maasai so much that many of them rushed back to their home areas to rescue their land from being grapped by other ethnic groups. Thus, they began to abandon their traditional grazing-movements, which are highly adapted to the ecological conditions of the Maasai Steppe. At the same time, the herds of the Maasai were decimated, because of the spread of animal diseases following the deterioration of the State veterinary service system. Added to this are the losses incurred through distress sales of cattle for buying maize for food, at a time at which the maize prices are increasing at a much higher rate than the prices of livestock. This dilemma of the Maasai and their indigenous coping mechanisms are being illustrated by the case of the people of Mokia at Namalulu, with special consideration of the role of women in solving these problems.     

The conditions of the Southern Sudanese Women Migrants in Abu Siid Shanty Town,Omdurman, Sudan — A Case Study of Cultural Change

The author analyzes the changing conditions to which S Sudanese women have been subjected after their forced migration the war-ridden South to Khartoum. There, too, they are suffering from hunger, homelessness, lack of a basic needs. Being obliged to house and work illegally these women find themselves considered criminals by both the State and many of the so-called Arabs. Serious identity change is involved in the process of adaptationof these rural people to the hostile urban environment.This paper contains preliminary results of a field study conducted by the author in April 1989 within the framework of the research programme Identity in Africa of the German Research Society under the coordination of Helmut Ruppert and the author. Both, as well as Abdel Hamid Bakhit and Ismail Al Fihail have participated in this research on the migration of the Southerners to Khartoum.