Relationship between geo-structural evolution and development of karstic systems in the culminating area of Ouarsenis (West Algeria)

The Ouarsenis area is one of the most developed karstic systems of Algeria. It is a karst reservoir drinking water with a population of more than 50,000 people taking fully benefit from it. To understand the development of this karstic system, the local tectonic history of the four main mountain ranges of this culminating area (Ouarsenis) has been analyzed. Although previously identified primarily Cenozoic tectonic activities have been observed, a set of NW-SE joints intersecting the Jurassic limestone has been associated to a post-nappes tectonic events. Moreover, numerous joint sets oriented NNE/SSW have been identified almost over the entire culminating area. These joints are the direct consequence of the following stress history: (i) a NW/SE shortening responsible for a major overlap and the first fold (P1) phase, (ii) a second NNE/SSW shortening stage responsible for the second folding (P2) phase associated with 70° N sinistral strike-slip trend, (iii) a WNW/ESE extension phase resulting from the change of σ ₃ stress vertical axis, and (iv) a shearing stress creating a 120° N sinistral strike-slip fault. Only the late phases are responsible of the development of joints, which have been karstified later on. Indeed, significant families of karstified joints, i.e., 20° and 70° N have been found. These joints are related to the extensional and shearing modes, respectively, and linked to a particular in situ karstogenesis. Moreover, this study suggests an ancient establishment of the karstic systems in the Ouarsenis region in at least two stages: pre-figured and activated behaviors during the Cenozoic.     

Hydrogeochemistry of groundwaters in a semi-arid region. El Ma El Abiod aquifer, Eastern Algeria

In this work, we present results of the hydrogeochemical and isotopic studies on groundwater samples from the El Ma El Abiod Sandstone aquifer, in Tébessa, Algeria. Chemical and environmental isotope data are presented and discussed in order to identify the geochemical processes and their relation with groundwater quality as well as to get an insight into the hydrochemical evaluation, in space and time, of groundwater and of the origin of dissolved species. A combined hydrogeologic and isotopic investigation have been carried out using chemical and isotopic data to deduce a hydrochemical evaluation of the aquifer system based on the ionic constituents, water types, hydrochemical facies, and factors controlling groundwater quality. All of the investigated groundwaters are categorized into two chemical types: low mineralized water type and relatively high mineralized water type. Interpretation of chemical data, based on thermodynamic calculations and geochemical reaction models of selected water groups constructed using PHREEQC, suggest that the chemical evolution of groundwater is primarily controlled by water–rock interactions, involving (1) acidic weathering of aluminosilicates, (2) dissolution of secondary carbonate minerals, and (3) cation exchange of Na⁺ for Ca²⁺. However, the original composition of groundwater may have been modified by further secondary processes such as mixing of chemically different water masses. The combined use of SI and mass-balance modeling has shown to be a useful approach in interpreting groundwater hydrochemistry in an area where large uncertainties exist in the understanding of the groundwater flow system. Interpretation of ¹⁸O and ²H, suggest that the recharge of the investigated groundwaters may result from different mechanisms.     

New structural implications for the central Sahara (Algeria), from the revisited Upper Carboniferous “Hassi Bachir” Formation: Paleomagnetic constraints

Paleomagnetic investigations of the folded Upper Namurian–Lower Moscovian “Hassi Bachir” Formation cropping out in the “Ahnet” basin (Central Sahara, Algeria) yield two magnetic components. A pre-folding primary magnetization (D = 136.1°, I = 22.0°, k = 217, α₉₅ = 2.6°) enables us to define a paleomagnetic pole (32.8°S, 55.7°E, K = 328 and A₉₅ = 2.0°) which better constrains a paleopole that was determined by Daly and Irving [Daly, L., Irving, E., 1983. Paléomagnétisme des roches carbonifères du Sahara central; analyse des aimantations juxtaposées; configurations de la Pangée. Ann. Geophys. 1, 207–216] for the same formation. A secondary component consists in a synfolding remagnetization and shows that post-Permian tectonics account for at least about half of the total folding in the studied area. This indicates that Mesozoic folding noted 150 km to the West in the Reggane basin [Smith, B., Derder, M.E.M., Henry, B., Bayou, B., Amenna, M., Djellit, H., Yelles, A.K., Garces, M., Beamud, E., Callot, J.P., Eschard, R., Chambers, A., Aifa, T., Ait Ouali, R., Gandriche, H., 2006. Relative importance of the Hercynian and post-Jurassic tectonic phases in the Saharan platform: a palaeomagnetic study of Jurassic sills in the Reggane basin (Algeria). Geophys. J. Int. 167, 380–396] is not local and affected at least the entire north-western part of the Hoggar area. This reconfirms that the folding of the Paleozoic cover in the Sahara platform should not be restricted to the Hercynian orogeny.     

Late Panafrican evolution of the main Hoggar fault zones: Implications of magnetic fabric study in the In Telloukh pluton (Tin Serririne basin, Algeria)

The Late Panafrican evolution of the Hoggar shield is characterized by emplacement of magmatic intrusions and by occurrence of major shear zones separating different terranes. In Telloukh granite is close to the In Guezzam faults (western border of the Tin Serririne basin). Analysis of its visible and magnetic fabrics suggests an emplacement mode and deformation that are not related to the In Guezzam faults, but most likely to a N–S compression, an event not yet identified. Dioritic dykes crosscutting the granite have a very different magnetic fabric, which is related on the contrary to dextral strike-slip movements along the In Guezzam faults. In both cases, no visible fabric can be correlated with the magnetic fabric, which has been likely acquired during late magmatic stages. This magnetic fabric was not significantly affected by the tectonic events that took place after entire crystallization of the magma. The In Guezzam faults and the major 7°30 and 4°50 shear zones are close to intrusions such as In Telloukh dykes and the Alous En Tides and Tesnou plutons where quite similar magnetic fabrics are observed, all related with dextral strike-slip movements along these structures.     

Karst Sinkholes Stability Assessment in Cheria Area,NE Algeria

This research work deals with the problem of karst sinkhole collapse occurring in the last few years in Cheria area (NE Algeria). This newly revealed phenomenon is of a major constrain in land use planning and urbanization, it has become necessary to locate and assess the stability of these underground features before any planning operation. Several exploration methods for the localization of underground cavities have been considered. Geological survey, discontinuity analysis, resistivity survey [ground penetrating radar has not been used as most of the Mio-Plio-Quaternary filling deposit covering Eocene limestone contains clay layers which limits the applicability of the method (Roth et al. in Eng Geol 65:225–232, 2002)] and borehole drilling were undertaken in order to locate underground cavities and assess their depth, geometry, dimensions, etc. Laboratory testing and field work were also undertaken in order to determine both intact rock and rock mass properties. All the rock mechanics testing and measurement were undertaken according to the ISRM recommendations. It has been found that under imposed loading, the stability of the karst cavities depends on the geo-mechanical parameters (RMR, Rock Mass Rating; GSI, Geological Strength Index; E, Young modulus) of the host rock as well as the depth and dimensions of the gallery. It increases with RMR, GSI, E and depth and decreases as the cavity becomes wider. Furthermore, the calculation results show that a ratio (roof thickness to gallery width) of 0.3 and more indicate, a stable conditions. The results obtained in this work allow identifying and assessing the stability of underground karst cavities. The methodology followed in this paper can be taken as a road map in the establishment of a hazard map related to the studied phenomenon. This map will be a useful tool for the future urban extension planning in Cheria area.     

Landslide susceptibility mapping using analytic hierarchy process and information value methods along a highway road section in Constantine,Algeria

This research work deals with the landslide susceptibility assessment using Analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and information value (IV) methods along a highway road section in Constantine region, NE Algeria. The landslide inventory map which has a total of 29 single landslide locations was created based on historical information, aerial photo interpretation, remote sensing images, and extensive field surveys. The different landslide influencing geoenvironmental factors considered for this study are lithology, slope gradient, slope aspect, distance from faults, land use, distance from streams, and geotechnical parameters. A thematic layer map is generated for every geoenvironmental factor using Geographic Information System (GIS); the lithological units and the distance from faults maps were extracted from the geological database of the region. The slope gradient, slope aspect, and distance from streams were calculated from the Digital Elevation Model (DEM). Contemporary land use map was derived from satellite images and field study. Concerning the geotechnical parameters maps, they were determined making use of the geotechnical data from laboratory tests. The analysis of the relationships between the landslide-related factors and the landslide events was then carried out in GIS environment. The AUC plot showed that the susceptibility maps had a success rate of 77 and 66% for IV and AHP models, respectively. For that purpose, the IV model is better in predicting the occurrence of landslides than AHP one. Therefore, the information value method could be used as a landslide susceptibility mapping zonation method along other sections of the A1 highway.