Two high levels of continental waters in the southern Tunisian chotts at about 90 and 150 ka Available to Purchase

Uranium and thorium content and activity ratios were measured on 20 samples (19 molluscs and 1 calcareous concretion) from the Great Chotts in southern Tunisia. Results were studied by the isochron method and by age frequency histograms. They suggest that two major flood episodes took place about 150 and 90 ka. Uranium activity ratios indicate a ground-water supply of continental origin, in agreement with biological indicators, which show large variations in salinity from fresh to marine-like conditions. The existence of a lacustrine phase, radiocarbon dated to 17-40 ka, as previously suggested for the northern Sahara, is highly questionable.