Exploitation of a Hydrogeothermal Aquifer by Means of Surface and Subsurface Data, Ksour Essaf basin (Eastern Tunisia)

Abstract

A multi-disciplinary study was carried out with the aim of assessing thermal potential in water of the Ksour Essaf basin (eastern Tunisia). We analysed the geothermal reservoir and determined the different chemical facies of thermal waters and to understand their origin. The integrated review of all the existing and newly acquired data confirms that the thermal water of the Hammam Ksour Essaf is of meteoric origin. It is deeply infiltrated within the Upper Miocene sands and sandstones (Searravallian-Tortonian) and reaches high temperatures (75°C - 106°C), before emerging as a thermal spring in correspondence with a fracture system related to the Ksour Essaf fault. The high geothermal gradient observed in this region and the presence of Triassic “Dome” showed in the seismic cross-sections confirms the existence of an important exploitable geothermal reservoir.