Caracterisation physico-chimique de la partie sud ouest de la baie de Tunis sous l'influence des apports de l'oued Meliane.

Abstract

inputs.The south western part of the Tunis bay receives flows from Meliane river. A grid of 22 stations was investigated monthly (19 in the bay and 3 in the the Méliane river) during the summer and the autumn 2004. Water samples were taken in order to check the physicochemical conditions in the bay. Temperature showed a normal seasonal variation and the salinity was low in the mouth of the Méliane river due to the continental imputs. The results showed that nutrient concentrations (nitrates, phosphates and ammonia) were very high, especially in the river mouth and suggested that the area a has high trophic level according to the TRIX index. This environment could be influenced by organic and mineral inputs from Méliane river that could lead to the eutrophication of the south western part of the bay.