Management of groundwater salinization under a climate change scenario in an aridarea

Most future scenarios for water resources are predicting water scarcity, with a decrease in the amount
of precipitation and limitation on groundwater recharge for the next five decades. In arid and semi-
arid areas, the water quality is a great problem and groundwater salinization is one of the principal
causes of degradation of water resources worldwide.
Menzel Habib aquifer is located in the northwest of Gabès region (southeastern Tunisia), included in
the arid Mediterranean bioclimatic area, with dry hot summers and relatively warm winters.
Groundwater geochemistry from the study area shows a Na-Cl and Ca-Mg-Cl-SO 4 dominant facies.
The high groundwater mineralization and its correlation between total dissolved solids and major ions
suggest a contribution of SO 4 , Cl, Na, Ca and Mg in groundwater salinization processes.
The salinization of groundwater is mainly associated with the Triassic evaporites, with the dissolution
of halite, anhydrite and gypsum, occurring in the area, and related to the tectonic context of the
region. Additionally, other geochemical processes occurred, such is the cation exchange mechanisms.
Changes in precipitation patterns and intensity, with water scarcity, low recharge and excessive
pumping have affected groundwater quantity and quality. Nowadays, the occurrence of climate
changes scenarios is a major drawback for water use for irrigation and drinking water supply in arid
and semi-arid regions, such as Menzel Habib aquifer.