13 research outputs found
Water quality and sediment transport issues in surface water
Recent sedimentary and morphological changes at the new mouth of Medjerda-River (Gulf of Tunis) are investigated using a multiproxy approach of sediment cores complited by 210Pbex and 137Cs method dating. The subject of the study is to focus on surveying the sedimentary evolution of Medjerda-Raoued Delta caused by the human intervention in the management of the main tributaries of the Medjerda-River (artificial channel of Henchir Tobias). Sediment cores (CEM-1 and CEM-3) were subjected to both multiproxy approaches (Grain size, geochemical analysis and dating radiometric 210Pbex and 137Cs). The sedimentological analysis of the new deltaic deposits shows a progradation sequence with the silt and clay deposits on the historic sandy substratum. The mean grain size evolution on the old beach profile shows a decreasing trend from backshore (CEM-3) to nearshore (CEM-1). The geochemical results show varying concentrations of chemical elements such as Fe, K, Rb, Nb, Cr, Ti, Ba, Ca, Sr, Zr, V, and potentially toxic metal trace elements such as Pb, Zn and the As. The Principal component Analysis (PCA) applied in the geochemical elements evolution confirms the marine origin of the sand deposits in the basic layers of the two cores. The chronological method (210Pbex and 137Cs) affirms that the first fluvial deposits were set up only after 1950. The sedimentological and geochemical result confirm the actual unless of coarser fluvial supplies under the human activities leading the negative coastal sediment balance and the shoreline retreat as well
Modélisation de l’érosion hydrique au niveau du bassin versant de la Medjerda.
International audienc
Etude de l'impact des barrages sur la réduction des transports sédimentaires jusqu'à la mer par approche paléohydrologique dans la basse vallée de la Medjerda
The sedimentary contributions of the Medjerda to the coastal zone
are poorly measured, and there is no chronicle of observations. In this
context, the sediment monitoring appears indispensable for the quantification
of sediment transport at the outlet. This study focuses on the largest
watershed in Tunisia, the Wadi Medjerda (23 600 km2). The main
objective of this work is to assess the reduction of sediment transport
following anthropogenic intensification on the basin, especially since the
construction of many large dams. In order to collect information on actual
deposits over several years, the paleo-hydrological approach was applied
through the study of sediment cores sampled in the low valley meanders on
alluvial terraces, after the last dam (Sidi Salem, the largest water storage
capacity over the basin), but before the estuary to avoid marine influence
and near a hydrological station (Jdaida). The sedimentary deposits of the
river provide key information on the past sedimentary inputs. A visible
succession of sedimentary layers corresponding to the deposits of successive
floods on the study site has been determined and the history of the
sedimentary contributions of the Medjerda is reconstructed by this approach.
The thickest layers of sedimentary deposits are related to exceptional
events. They are mainly concentrated on the lower part of the core and are
mainly composed of sands. The first 1.2 m of the core from the bottom upward
relates to 10Â years of river discharges, as can be determined from the
137Cs datation. The next upward 1.05 m of
core relates to the following 20Â years of discharges, up to 1981, date of the
construction of the Sidi Salem dam, and is composed of a mix of sand, silts
and clays. The last 75 cm of core near the surface is only composed of clays
with thin silt bands, and relates to a period of 32Â years. We thus observe
that there is no more sand deposits in the river bed since the construction
of the Sidi Salem dam. The deficit of sediment supply to the sea is viewed as
a major factor to be taken into account for better understanding of the
dynamics of coastal areas in the context of global climate change
Paleobiodiversity and tectono-sedimentary records in the Mediterranean tethys and related eastern areas
The geochemical and grain size analysis were carried out on surface and down core sediments from the present-day alluvial-coastal plain of the Medjerda River, Gulf of Tunis, Tunisia. The aim of this paper is to characterize the geochemical and grain size distribution of sediments and its relationship with the hydrodynamics extreme events occurring during the last century. Using a multi proxy approach, six turbidities layers have been identified in down core sediment (i.e. TL-1, TL-2, TL-3, TL-4, TL-5, TL-6, TL-7 and TL-8) characterized by multimodal grain size distribution. The terrestrial sediment which feeds the northern coastal of the Gulf of Tunis is characterized by very fine-grained sediment (clay and silt). The geochemical signature shows a highly concentration of Rb, Ti, Zn and Pb. The Medjerda River is the mainly source of silts and clay sediment. Besides, the mining pollution (Zn and Pb) is relatively strong in the coastal area, especially during the great floods events of Medjerda watershed recorded in the 1953; 1957; 1969 and 1973. Even during high frequency events, the sediments are devoid of any coarse fraction
Satellite images survey for the identification of the coastal sedimentary system changes and associated vulnerability along the western bay of the Gulf of Tunis (northern Africa)
The aim of this study consists in testing the effectiveness of
satellite data in order to monitoring shoreline and sedimentary features
changes, especially the rapidly changing of Gulf of Tunis coast. The study
area is located in the Gulf of Tunis western bay (Southern Mediterranean Sea)
which is characterized by sandy beaches of Ghar Melah and Raoued (Medjerda
Delta area). The aerial photographs and satellite imageries were used for
mapping the evolution of shoreline. Diachronic data (satellite imagery,
aerial photography and topographic maps) were used to monitor and to
quantify, the evolution of the coastal areas. These thematic data were
digitally overlaid and vectorised for highlighting the shoreline changes
between 1936 and 2016, in order to map the rate of erosion and accretion
along the shoreline. Results show that the accretion and degradation are
related to the Medjerda: change of outlet in 1973 and impoundment of the Sidi
Salem dam in 1982. We found that the general trend of the coastal geomorphic
processes can be monitored with satellite imageries (such as Sentinel A2,
Spots 4 and 5), due to its repetitive coverage along the time and their high
quality concerning the spectral contrast between land and sea areas. Improved
satellite imageries with high resolution should be a valuable tool for
complementing traditional methods for mapping and assessing the sedimentary
structures (such as shoreline, delta, marine bars), and monitoring especially
the lowlands coastal areas (slightly eroded)
A Topo-Bathymetric Survey of the Morphological Evolution of a Microtidal Barred Beach. Case Study: The Coastal Prism of Korba (Mediterranean Coast; Northeast of Tunisia)
Conference: 1st International Conference on Mapping and Spatial Analysis of Socio-Economic and Environmental Indicators for the Local and Regional Sustainable Development (SEE GEOMATICS)Location: Tataouine, TUNISIADate: MAR 25-26, 2015International audienceFor mapping the three-dimensional shape of the submarine bars, studying their dynamics and assessing the spatiotemporal evolution of sedimentary balances, the coastal prism of Korba (emerged and submerged beach) has benefitted from topo-bathymetric monitoring. This monitoring was carried out on an annual basis between July 2006 and July 2009. Numerical Terrain Models (N.T.M.) and transverse profiles were then analyzed. The main results show, firstly, that the shoreface of Korba is characterized by a homogeneous evolution across all profiles of its two-bar system. Moreover, the extent of changes in the sand volume of the beach suggests that the evolution takes place without significant sedimentary loss and that the beach is in a dynamic equilibrium. Accretion of the bars and migration towards the shore are found in periods of small waves (between July 2006 and July 2007). However, following a period of minor agitations, a filling of the outer trough is observed. It is proceeded by the migration of the outer bar towards the coast (between July 2007 and July 2009). These results confirm the traditional model of self-organization of a barred beach. These data and results, then, allow us to establish conceptual models and simulations of the evolution of the microtidal, barred beach of Korba
Fresh water and sediment discharges variability to the coasts of Maghreb: the impact of climate change and anthropogenic activities on coastal environments
International audienc
Impact of climate change and river managements on the reduction of sediment transport to the sea in Maghreb
International audienc