KARSTOLOGIE EN ZONE ARIDE : FORMATIONS KARSTIFIEES DU SUDEST ALGERIEN. METHODES ET OUTILS.

Abstract

A Karst is an open out space allowing the introduction inside a low solubility compact rock, tracers of climatic events which had taken place within a certain period. A Karst is therefore a conservatory, memory of the history of a region, a country, a continent or even a wider space. In Algeria still remain Karstic structures like all over the Mediterranean area. These structures have been investigated by some eminent authors: Durozoy G., Collignon B., Coiffait P.E., Quinif Y., Maire R. and Abdessalem M., Kardache R. etc. All the collected information besides being important one another do not rise up to the level required for a sound Karstology study of the region. Much more needs to be done in accordance with the wide distribution of these structures, spreading up to the Algerian Sahara piedmont. One single researcher on his own will not be able to cope. In this respect, it seems important to try a reconstitution of events that had a marked impact on these structures. As first approach, Karsts of SE Algeria, belonging to a dry area with extremely scarce rainfall and very long drought periods, are taken as examples. The study not using new techniques of isotopic measurements, has mainly been based upon geologic history of the region with an emphasis on the paleosedimentology, tectonic phases, erosion periods emersion and the build up of sedimentary bodies and finally the paleoclimate