title: Integrated socio-hydrogeological approach to tackle nitrate contamination in groundwater resources. The case of Grombalia Basin (Tunisia).
abstract: Nitrate contamination still remains one of the main groundwater quality issues in several aquifers worldwide, despite the perduring efforts of the international scientific community to effectively tackle this problem. The classical hydrogeological and isotopic investigations are obviously of paramount importance for the characterization of contaminant sources, but are clearly not sufficient for the correct and long-term protection of groundwater resources. This paper aims at demonstrating the effectiveness of the socio-hydrogeological approach as the best tool to tackle groundwater quality issues, while contributing bridging the gap between science and society. An integrated survey, including land use, hydrochemical (physicochemical parameters and major ions) and isotopic (δ15NNO3and δ18ONO3) analyses, coupled to capacity building and participatory activities was carried out to correctly attribute the nitrate origin in groundwater from the Grombalia Basin (North Tunisia), a region where only synthetic fertilizers have been generally identified as the main source of such pollution. Results demonstrates that the basin is characterized by high nitrate concentrations, often exceeding the statutory limits for drinking water, in both the shallow and deep aquifers, whereas sources are associated to both agricultural and urban activities. The public participation of local actors proved to be a fundamental element for the development of the hydrogeological investigation, as it permitted to obtain relevant information to support data interpretation, and eventually guaranteed the correct assessment of contaminant sources in the studied area. In addition, such activity, if adequately transferred to regulators, will ensure the effective adoption of management practices based on the research outcomes and tailored on the real needs of the local population, proving the added value to include it in any integrated investigation.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Radio-Analyses and Environment, National School of Engineers of Sfax, BP1173, 3038 Sfax, Tunisia; Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Via Torino 155, 30172 Mestre-Venezia, Italy. Electronic address: re@unive.it.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Re
authors.affiliation: Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 1, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sacchi
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Radio-Analyses and Environment, National School of Engineers of Sfax, BP1173, 3038 Sfax, Tunisia.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kammoun
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Via Torino 155, 30172 Mestre-Venezia, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tringali
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Radio-Analyses and Environment, National School of Engineers of Sfax, BP1173, 3038 Sfax, Tunisia.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Trabelsi
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Radio-Analyses and Environment, National School of Engineers of Sfax, BP1173, 3038 Sfax, Tunisia.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zouari
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Via Torino 155, 30172 Mestre-Venezia, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Daniele
keywords: Aquifer pollution; Isotopes; Public engagement; Socio-hydrogeology; Stakeholder analysis