Analysis of seawater intrusion phenomena in the Korba coastal aquifer of Tunisia

Abstract

A geographic information system and a three-dimensional coupled variable density and saturation numerical model are implemented for the Korba coastal aquifer of northeastern Tunisia, and preliminary simulations are performed to investigate seawater intrusion phenomena. The GIS provides an essential platform for data management, enabling the organization and merging of a large volume of data that has been collected in often ad hoc manner from diverse sources over many years. A critical assessment of data quality is provided and the usefulness of GIS and modeling tools is demonstrated, with an aim to encourage more directed and continuous monitoring and characterization of important parameters and processes involved in the contamination phenomena. This approach is currently being extended to two other coastal aquifers, in Sardinia (Italy) and Sahel (Morocco).