Les dépôts carbonatés continentaux de la région de Hajeb El Ayoun (Tunisie centrale) : implications paléoenvironnementales et morphologiques

Abstract

In central Tunisia, Quaternary continental carbonate accumulations of lacustrine and/or palustrine types are well developed. The Hajeb El Ayoun basin provides a good example to study these deposits. Petrographic and mineralogical investigations show three facies: 1/ lacustrine limestones with broken lamellibranches and gastropods tests, 2/ palustrine limestones, which are marked by an important subaerial exposition as indicated by microkarsts and desiccation cracks, and 3/ calcareous crust with pedogenetic features such as glaebules in loose deposits. Palygorskite is most often largely dominant among the clay minerals of silty and calcareous deposits, indicating a confined lake environment for lower materials and arid to semi-arid climatic conditions for those above the lacustrine and/or palustrine limestones.

Keywords

• climate
• Tunisia
• lacustrine limestone
• palustrine limestone
• calcareous crust
• Paleoenvironment