Ability of groundwater of the basin of Sidi El Hani for irrigation (Center East of Tunisia) [Aptitude des eaux de la nappe phréatique de la cuvette de Sidi El Hani à l'irrigation (Centre-Est de la Tunisie)]

In the plain of ouled chamekh,groundwater of sidi el hani is the main supply source for irrigation. it is widely threatened by salinization,which represent a major constraint for the development of agriculture in mahdia region (central tunisia). an hydrochemical characterization of groundwater was carried out on the basis of water samples collected at 49 wells during the months of march and april 2015. the water analyses have allowed the determination of the chemical facies and their classification according to the stuyfzand abacus and deduce therefrom the suitability of the waters for irrigation and risk of salinization. results have identified two chemical facies: a chlorinated-sodium facies and a mixed chlorinated and sulfated calcium and magnesium. stuyfzand classification indicated that the waters are brackish and salty with an alkalinity moderately high. regarding their ability to irrigation,waters showed a moderate mineralization in the western part of the plain and a strong mineralization associated with high saline and alkaline risks around oued cherita,sebkha cherita and sebkha sidi el hani.