New Geological, Structural Data and Geophysical

International Journal of Research and Innovations in Earth Science Volume 2, Issue 3, ISSN (Online) : 2394-1375

New Geological, Structural Data and Geophysical Investigations for Prospecting Potential Deep Groundwater Resources in Menzel Bourguiba-Mateur Region (North-Eastern Tunisia, North Africa)

Soﬁen Alyahyaoui Hedi Zouari Georessources Laboratory, Water Researches and Department of Geology, Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, Technologies Centre, Borj Cedria Ecopark, Soliman, Tunisia. University Tunis El Manar, Manar II, Tunisia. Department of Geology, Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, University Tunis El Manar, Manar II, Tunisia. Email: [email protected]

Abstract – The Menzel Bourguiba-Mateur region is urban and industrial water. Moreover, the research of situated in extreme north-east of Tunisia (north Africa. This new potential resources is to determine in the region. region was affected by several faults and folds structures. The aim of this study is to identify and to characterize This structures its result by alternation between the different potential sedimentary series using surface transpressive and transtensive regime inducing the and subsurface data. distribution Mesozoic and Cenozoic (Late Miocene to Actual period) sedimentary series [1], [2]. This region is characterized by important resources water such as surface II. LITHOSTRATIGRAPHIC AND STRUCTURAL water (lake, dam and rivers), shallow and deep groundwater, SETTING and unconventional resources.). Pressure on fresh water demand is creasing as a result of demographic increase, In the Menzel Bourguiba-Mateur region, the agricultural water use and the development of the industry and tourism sectors. The overexploitation of the shallow lithostratigraphic series are determined from the aquifers reveals to explorated and characterized of deep geological mapping at scale 1/50000 [3], [4], outcrops and aquifers. The integrated surface (outcrops and geological wells petroleum (Fig. 2). maps) and subsurface data (petroleum wells, gravity and The synthetic log of the study area [2] shows a lithological seismic profiles) determine the most important deep succession from Triassic to Quaternary (Fig. 3). groundwater reservoirs. In fact, the importance of these The Triassic series is composed by gypsum, clays, water reservoirs was inferred from their lithologic character breccia and dolostones. It is chaotic facies. and their thickness of the sedimentary series in study area. The Jurassic series in the J. Ichkeul is formed by

limestones and dolostones. The Early Cretaceous series Keywords – Surface and Subsurface Data, Tectonic And Structural Structure, Thickness, Water Reservoir, Menzel vary from alternation between clay, marl and Carbonates. Bourguiba-Mateur Region, North-Eastern Tunisia. The Late Cretaceous series is formed by carbonate and shale. The Paleocene (El Haria formation) is composed, by I. INTRODUCTION marl and alternation between thin beds carbonates and marl. The Eocene series is represented by limestone (Figs. The study area is located in the north eastern Tunisia. 2 and 4) and shale. Tunisia is situated at the junction between the western The Oligocene to Early Miocene series is formed by and eastern Mediterranean (Fig. 1 a). Tunisia is sandstones. It is observed only in the extreme northwest characterized by variation of topography from the north part of Menzel Bourguiba town. The middle Miocene to the south. In the north, the Atlasic chain extends (Langhian to Serravallian time) is composed by marl, eastward to Tunisia and westward to Morocco. In the conglomerate and lumachellic sandstone. south, The Saharan platform is marked by a stable The Late Miocene series are composed by clays domain. The digital elevation models of the Menzel intercalated by sandstone, limestone and gypsum beds. Bourguiba-Mateur region are represented by different The Late Miocene is subdivided into Late Miocene M1 topographic relief of almost 0 meters to 1200 meters and Late Miocene M2 separated by angular unconformity (Fig. 1 b). The low topography relief is marked by [2]. lowland zones such as the lake of Ichkeul, the lake of Late Miocene is arranged into five formations [5]: Bizerte and the Mateur plain. The high topography relief Hakima formation (Late Miocene M1) and four other is characterized by mountains such as J. es Sakkak, J. el formations (Late Miocene M2): Oued El Melah, Kechabta, Baouala, J. el Messeftine, J. Ichkeul, J. Saidani, J. Oued Bel Khedim and Chaabet et Tebbala. Guenndoul and J. Anz. The Hakima formation is composed by clay, sand and The study area has a semi-arid climate. The Menzel gypsum. It is lagoonal-marine facies. Bourguiba-Mateur region is one of the most important a The Oued el Melah, the Kechabta and the Oued Bel high demographic density and has relied on groundwater Khedim formations formed by intercalation clay, thin sand reserves of the shallow aquifer especially for agricultural, and gypsum. Copyright © 2015 IJRIES, All right reserved 103 International Journal of Research and Innovations in Earth Science Volume 2, Issue 3, ISSN (Online) : 2394-1375

The Chaabet et Tebbala formation is corresponding to (AP2), positive anomaly coincide with limestone of Late the Messinian. It formed essentially by conglomerates in J. Cretaceous (Abiod formation) of Mateur Plain; (AP3), el Messeftine (Figs. 2 and, 5 a, b, c and d), sand and silts positive anomaly show in the South of J. Saidani; (AP4), in Douar El Blate (Figs. 2 and 5 e and f) and positive anomaly coincides with an Oligocene-Early conglomerates and sand in J. el Mokna (Figs. 2 and, 5 g Miocene series; (AP5), anomaly reflect Quaternary facies and h). in the West of J. el Baouala; (AP6), anomalies negative The Pliocene is formed into two formations: Raf Raf situated in Ech chuigui town formed by Cretaceous series. and Porto Farina. The Raf Raf formation is composed by Negative anomalies; (AN1), negative anomaly superposed clay (Early Pliocene) in the base and Porto Farina to Quaternary facies reflects a mass deficiency generated formation (Late Pliocene) is formed by sand and thin clay by clay and alluvial deposits syncline of Messeftine basin; in the top. The Porto Farina formation is observed in Oum (AN2), negative anomaly coincides with an Eocene series, Hani (Figs. 2 and 6 a) and in the east of J. el Messeftine these anomalies are characterized by a lower variation of (Figs. 2 and 6 b). density; (AN3), anomalies negatives superposed to The Quaternary series shows continental facies in Quaternary series in the West of J. el Baouala. depocenters in Mateur plain, south of J. el Messeftine C. Seismic interpretation (Figs. 2 and 7 a) and Ech Chouigui (Figs. 2 and, 7 b and Nine seismic profiles covering the entire study area c). were analyzed (Fig. 2). The seismic horizons of profiles The Menzel Bourguiba-Mateur region is affected by were calibrated using the time-depth conversion curve of brittle and ductile structures at several directions N-S, NE- the W1, W2 and W3 petroleum wells and the outcrops in SW, E-W and NW-SE [1], [2], [6], [7] and [8]. the study area. The seismic profiles and petroleum wells obtained from III. GEOPHYSICS DATA AND INTERPRETATION "Société de Recherches et d'Exploration des Pétroles en Tunisie (SEREPT)" and "Entreprise Tunisienne des A. Petroleum wells analyzes Activités Pétrolières (ETAP)". The location of petroleum wells shown in figure 2 where This subsurface data are georeferenced, integrated, W1 and W2 are within the Henchir el Haroun and W3 is interrelated and analyzed using "move 2014" software. within the Douar el Blate. The distance between W1 and The three-dimensional of six seismic profiles (L2, L4, W2 wells is 500 m, while the distance between W2 and L5, L6, L8 and L9) at different direction views (N0 (Fig. W3 is 4500 m. Depth of these wells reached W1 (2779,4 10), N180 (Fig. 11 a) and N45 (Fig. 11 b)), show a high m), W2 (2856,4m) and W3 (712 m). and subsiding structures limited by different faults in Lithological correlation between the petroleum wells Mateur plain. The Mesozoic and Cenozoic series are W1, W2 and W3 (Fig. 8) showing the variation of limited by listric faults and formed tilted blocks. These thickness of sedimentary series in Henchir el Haroune to blocks are formed by important thickness of Mesozoic, Douar el Blate. The correlation of wells shows reduces Miocene and Pliocene sedimentary series in Henchir el series Paleocene and Late Miocene in the W1 to W3. The Haroune, J. el Messeftine and Mateur plain. sedimentary series is control by several faults Analysis of the lithostratigraphic data was carried out IV. IDENTIFICATION FOR DEEP GROUNDWATER using time-depth conversion wells data from W1 to W3. IN STUDY AREA B. Gravity data analyzes The gravity data used in this study are a Mateur-Menzel Sedimentary series cropping out in the study area shows Bourguiba Bouguer anomalies maps at scale 1/50000. The important deep aquifers corresponding the Eocene, gravity maps used for this study were obtained from the Miocene, Pliocene and Quaternary reservoirs. "Office National de Mine". This map was calculated with The lithological description from outcrops and wells 2.4 g/cm3 as a reduction density. The gravity anomaly data shows that the fractured carbonates (limestones and were gridded at 1 km spacing and contoured to produce a dolostones) of Eocene series, the sands and conglomerates Bouguer gravity anomaly map. The observed complete of Chaabet et Tebbala (Late Miocene) and the sand of Bouguer gravity anomalies reflect the effect of all density Pliocene series reservoirs. heterogeneities beneath the surface. The fractured and karst limestone aquifer of J. el The resulting complete Bouguer gravity anomaly map Damous in the west of Douar el Mokna and Douar el Blate (Fig. 9) value in the Menzel Bourguiba-Mateur region is characterized by an important thickness and a high vary from -4 mGal (negative anomaly) to 34 mGal porosity and permeability (Fig. 12). (positive anomaly). The Bouguer gravity map a regional The important thickness of continental deposits aquifer variation from the northwest and east-central part of of the Chaabet et Tebbala formation (Top of Late Menzel Bourguiba-Mateur (positive anomalies) to Miocene) is composed conglomerates, sand and silts (Fig. southwestern, western and middle part of study area 13). (negative anomalies). The figure 14 shows synthetic lithostratigraphic log These gravimetric anomalies overlain by geological map aquifer of Chaabet et Tebbala formation. The Chaabet et shows positive anomalies; (AP1), the positive anomaly Tebbala formation is characterized by a high porosity. superposed by the J. Ichkeul high density reflect limestone The figure 15 shows synthetic lithostratigraphic log and dolostone of Triassic and Jurassic sedimentary series; aquifer of Pliocene Aquifer (Raf Raf formation) in J el Copyright © 2015 IJRIES, All right reserved 104 International Journal of Research and Innovations in Earth Science Volume 2, Issue 3, ISSN (Online) : 2394-1375

[8] H. Kujawski, (1969). Contribution à la connaissance Messeftine. This log is characterized by sand, sandstone and fractured limestone beds. stratigraphique de la base du "Flych" oligocène de l'Extrême Nord tunisien. C.R. Acad.Sci.Paris.t.258.,pp. 260-262. [9] S. Bajanik, J. Salaj, (1972). Lithostratigraphie de l’Oligocène V. CONCLUSION dans la région de Bizerte. Notes du serv. Géol. Tunisie, n° 40, pp. 75-77 Tunis. [10] H. Rouvier, (1977). Géologie de l’Extrême Nord-Tunisien : The combination of surface (geological mapping and Tectoniques et paléogéographies superposées à l'extrimité Outcrops) and subsurface studies (petroleum wells, gravity orientale de la chaîne nord maghrébine. Thèse Doctorat es and seismic reflection data) has given a better Sciences Univ. Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris VI, 1000 p. understanding of the potential deep groundwater resources [11] F. Zargouni, (1977). Etude structurale de la bande triasique de Baouala-Aroussia-El Mecherket (Zone de diapirs, Atlas in Menzel Bourguiba-Mateur region. The study area is tunisien). Bull. Soc. Sc. Nat. Tunis. t. 12, 79–82. characterized by complex tectonic deformations which [12] N. Ben Ayed, C. Viguier, C. Bobier, (1983). Les éléments have implication for evaluating water resources. The structuraux récents essentiels de la Tunisie nord-orientale. Notes complex tectonic deformations result from the subsiding Service géologique de Tunisie (47), 5-19. [13] N. Ben Ayed, (1986). Evolution tectonique de l’avant –pays de structure, tectonic processes, structural styles and timing la chaine alpine de Tunisie du début du Mésozoïque à l’actuel. resulting from the various deformational phases during the Thèse de Doctorat Es Sciences. Univ. Paris Sud, centre d’Orsay. Late Cretaceous to Actual periods. The deep wells Publ. O.N.M, Tunisie, 1993. 286p. correlation shows notable variation of sedimentary [14] R. Alouani, S. Adil, E. Mouguina, (1991). Les unités allochtones métamorphiques de l’axe des Jebels Hairech et Ichkeul : position series. This 3D subsurface structure shows the important structurale et signification géodynamique dans le Nord de la role of faults in controlling the sedimentary series from the Tunisie. C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, t. 313, Série II, pp.421-426. Mesozoic to the Quaternary periods. [15] N. Ben Ayed (1993). Évolution tectonique de l’avant-pays de la These Mesozoic and Cenozoic deposits show the chaîne alpine de Tunisie du début du Mésozoïque à l’Actuel. Ann. Mines Geol., Editions du Service géologique de Tunisie, n° maximum thickness of sedimentary deposits in Henchir el 32, 286 p. Haroune, Mateur plain and J. el Messeftine. The [16] M. Dlala, S. Rebai, (1994) - Relation compression-extension lithological outcrops and wells shows that the fractured miocène supérieur à Quaternaire - implication sismotectonique: carbonates of Eocene series, sands and conglomerates of C.R. Acad. Sc. , v. T 319, p. pp. 945-950 [17] L. Rigo, S. Garde, H. El Euchi, K. Bandt, J. Tiffert, (1996). Chaabet et Tebbala (Late Miocene) and the sand of Mesozoic fractured reservoirs in a compressional structural Pliocene series reservoirs. These sedimentary series are model for the North-Eastern Tunisian atlasic. Proceedings of the characterized by important thickness and a high porosity 5th Tunisian Petroleum Exploration and Production and permeability. Conferences, Tunis, 233-255. [18] F. Melki, (1997). Tectonique de l’extrémité nord-est de la Tunisie (Bizerte–Menzel Bourguiba– Mateur). Evolution ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS tectonique de blocs structur-aux du Crétacé supérieur au Quaternaire, Thèse de Doctorat Univ. Tunis II, Fac. Sci. Tunis, 213 p. We wish to thank the society Midland Valley for access [19] M. Ben Haj Ali, L. Chihi, M. Rabhi (1998). Le Néogène de la to use license academic move software 2013 and 2014. Tunisie analyse comparative des sèries stratigraphiques et rôle de We express our appreciation to the SEREPT and ETAP for la tectonique et de l'halocinèse dans la genèse des bassins. support and access to subsurface data. Proceedings of the 6th Tunisian petroleum exploration and production conference, Mem. N°12, pp. 59 [20] J. Kacem (2004). Etude sismotectonique et évaluation de l’alea REFERENCES sismique régional du Nord-Est de la Tunisie : apport de la sismique réflexion dans l’identification des sources sismogeniques, Thèse, Univ. Tunis El Manar, Fac.Sci.Tunis, [1] S.Alyahyaoui, H. Gabtni, H. Zouari, H. Mzali, (2013). New 168p. Structural Elements in Tellian Foreland Domain of the [21] F. Melki, T. Zouaghi, M. Ben Chelbi, M. Bedir, F. Zargouni, Northeastern Tunisia (Mateur Plain) after Integrating Geological (2010). Tectono-sedimentary events and geodynamic evolution and Geophysical Data. International Journal of Geosciences of the Mesozoic and Cenozoic basins of the Alpine Margin,Gulf 4:1061˗1072. of Tunis, north-eastern Tunisia offshore. C. R. Geoscience 342, [2] S.Alyahyaoui, H. Gabtni, H. Zouari, H. Mzali, (2013). New 741-753. Structural Elements in Tellian Foreland Domain of the [22] T. Zouaghi, M. Bédir, F. Melki, H. Gabtni, R. Gharsali, A. Northeastern Tunisia (Mateur Plain) after Integrating Geological Bessioud, F.Zargouni, (2010). Neogene sediment deformations and Geophysical Data. International Journal of Geosciences and tectonic features of northeastern Tunisian: evidence for 4:1061˗1072. paleoseismicity. Arabian Journal of Geosciences. 4:1301–1314. [3] R. Alouani, F. Melki, S. Tlig, F. Zargouni, (2006). Carte [23] F. Melki, T. Zouaghi, S. Harrab, A. Casas Sainz, M. 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petroleum wells locations. L1 to L9 seismic reflection profiles. Consulted documents: Geological maps (1/50000) Nos. 6 and 12, Publ. : Service Géologique de Tunisie (Tunisia)

Fig.1. Digital Elevation Model (DEM) of Mediterranean sea domain showing the generally decreasing altitude from the north (Atlasic domain) to the South (saharan platform). Boxed area indicates location of Digital Elevation Model of Menzel Bourguiba-Mateur region

Fig.3. Synthetic logs of the Mesozoic and Cainozoic series in the Menzel Bourguiba- Mateur region Thickness was derived from outcrops and petroleum [2]

Fig.2. Simplified geological map of Menzel Bourguiba- Mateur region. (+) Location of the gravity data. W1 (El Haroune 1), W2 (El Haroune 3), W3 (Ain Ghelal ) are Copyright © 2015 IJRIES, All right reserved 106 International Journal of Research and Innovations in Earth Science Volume 2, Issue 3, ISSN (Online) : 2394-1375

Fig.4. Lithological correlation between the petroleum wells showing the variation of thickness of sedimentary series in Henchir el Haroune to Douar el Blate Fig. 6 Outcrops of the Chaabet et Tebbala formation (Late Miocene) in the study area. (a) : continental fluvial facies located in the south of J. el Messeftine; (b) detailed view of (a) is constitute by conglomerate, sand and silts. (c) continental fluvial facies in the J. Cheggaga (part south of J. el Messeftine); (d) conglomerate and silt layers; (e) Thickness silts layers in Douar el Blate. (f) Detailed view of yellow silts in Doaur el Blate; (g): continental fluvial facies in Doaur el Mokna; (f) Detailed view of continental facies

Fig. 5 Outcrops of Eocene series in the study area. (a) : limestone Eocene series in Douar el Blate; (b) karst of limestones Eocene series in Douar el Mokna; (c) gray limestone in Douar el Mokna and (d) detailed view of limestone

Fig 9. Bouguer gravity anomaly map for Menzel Bourguiba-Mateur region

Fig. 7 Outcrops of Pliocene series in the study area. (a) : sand layers in Oum Hani; (b) Pliocene series in the East of J. el Messeftine

Fig. 8 Outcrops of Quaternary series in the study area. (a) :

West view of continental Quaternary deposits in the west Fig 10. 3D view interpretation from seismic profiles of J. el Messeftine; (b) Quaternary continental facies in showing the variation of sedimentary series in study area. north of Ech Chouigui; (c) detailed view of conglomerate (a) North view of 3D interpretation of seismic profiles; (a) and silts North view of 3D interpretation Copyright © 2015 IJRIES, All right reserved 108 International Journal of Research and Innovations in Earth Science Volume 2, Issue 3, ISSN (Online) : 2394-1375

Fig 13. Detailed synthetic lithostratigraphic log aquifer of Fig 11. Different view interpretation from seismic profiles Chaabet et Tebbala formation (Late Miocene) showing the variation of sedimentary series in study area. (a) South view of 3D interpretation of seismic profile; (b) East view of 3D interpretation

Fig 12. Fractured Eocene Aquifer. (a) : karst limestone aquifer of J. Damous in Douar el Mokna; (b) fractured limestones; (c) detailed view of limestone in Douar el Mokna; (d) Eocene aquifer in Douar el Blate

Fig 15. Detailed synthetic lithostratigraphic log aquifer of Pliocene (Raf Raf formation) in J el Messeftine Fig 14. Thickness of continental deposits aquifer of the Chaabet et Tebbala formation. (a) important thickness series; (b) detailed view of aquifer