Search

Groundwater is a crucial drinking water resource for rural communities; however, the absence of adequate monitoring programs in these regions often results in uncertainties about groundwater quality. This study focuses on assessing the impact of nitrogen compounds from domestic wastewater on groundwater in rural communities within the province of Al Hoceima. The hydrochemistry of 33 groundwater samples was analyzed using various methods, including descriptive statistics, the Nitrate Pollution Index (NPI), the Chronic Health Risk Index (CHR), and a GIS-based spatial analysis. The investigation revealed significant contamination by nitrogen compounds in regions characterized by high population density. In these areas, nitrate (NO3-) and nitrite (NO2-) concentrations exceeded 50 mg/l and 0.2 mg/l, respectively, surpassing the WHO recommended limits. Notably, NO3- levels ranged from 0 to 89.63 mg/l, with 84.84% of groundwater samples contained more than 10 mg/l. The NPI values ranged from -1 to 3.48, with 33.33% of the samples were categorized as significantly and very significantly polluted. Additionally, CHR values ranged from 0 to 2.43 for adults, 0 to 2.03 for children, and 0 to 2.51 for infants. The CHR values exceeded 1 suggests that the contamination observed in the samples can be attributed to the widespread use of septic tanks in densely populated regions. Thus, to ensure the safety of rural communities, further assessments of health risks are mandatory.

One solution to the shortage of drinking water in Morocco is the development of reverse osmosis (RO) desalination plants. However, the quality of the permeate produced is corrosive, unbalanced, and does not meet the standards required for its use. The post-treatment process at the Al-Hoceima desalination plant in northern Morocco consists of the addition of carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrated lime (Ca (OH)2). In this study, various analyses were utilized to assess the physical-chemical quality parameters of the water produced after remineralization. The results revealed that the remineralization method adopted by the plant is relatively complex and associated with difficulties in maintaining optimal remineralized water parameters such as pH, TAC, TH, and Ca2+. However, the water produced re-establishes its calcocarbonic balance and is of satisfactory quality for human consumption.

Groundwater is crucial for meeting the water needs of rural communities, serving both domestic and agricultural purposes. However, its quality in our study area remains unclear. Therefore, the primary objective of the current study is to evaluate the groundwater quality and ascertain the level of contamination risk associated with the use of septic tanks in rural communities within the Al Hoceima province. This will be achieved by conducting a comprehensive analysis of physicochemical parameters and employing effective indices, including the Water Quality Index (WQI), Nitrate Pollution Index (NPI), and Chronic Health Risk (CHR). In February 2023, we collected samples from 33 wells, spanning densely and sparsely populated regions, to account for potential variations in water quality. The analyzed parameters included pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), ammonium (NH4+), nitrates (NO3-), nitrites (NO2-), sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), chloride (Cl-), sulfate (SO42-), bicarbonate (HCO3-), phosphate (PO43-), and silica (SiO2). Our findings revealed slightly alkaline groundwater with TDS levels ranging from 1508.63 mg/l to 8289.8 mg/l, with an average of 3223.19 mg/l. The cation dominance sequence observed was Na+ > Ca2+ > Mg2+ > K+ > NH4+, while for anions, it followed as SO42- > Cl- > HCO3- > NO3- > PO43- > NO2-. The Water Quality Index (WQI) indicated contamination in 54.55% of the wells, with notably higher NPI values in densely populated regions. This suggests anthropogenic nitrate contamination, likely originating from septic tanks. The assessment of Chronic Health Risk (CHR) revealed non-carcinogenic health risks in 27.27% of samples for children and 15.15% for adults. Given these findings, it is imperative for Moroccan authorities, despite the efforts of the Loukkos Hydraulic Basin Agency (LHBA), to implement strategic measures to protect groundwater quality in densely populated rural regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to assess the sustainability of healthcare waste treatment systems using surrogate weights and the Preference Ranking Organization METHod for Enrichment Evaluations (PROMETHEE). For this purpose, ten treatment systems, including land disposal, incineration and non-incineration systems, were evaluated in terms of environmental, financial, social, and technical criteria. Firstly, fifteen reputed experts assigned their preferred rankings for the groups of criteria and the sub-criteria. The conversion of these rankings into numerical weights was performed using the SR function, which is an additive combination of Sum and Reciprocal weight functions. Secondly, the alternatives' performance with regards to each criterion allowed PROMETHEE to generate the outranking flows for each alternative. The complete ranking revealed that the rotary kiln (A4) is the most sustainable system followed by steam disinfection (A8), dry heat disinfection and microwave disinfection. However, the municipal landfill is the least sustainable system, while chemical disinfection is ranked in the penultimate position of sustainability. The partial ranking indicated that A4 and A8 are incomparable and both were ranked as most sustainable. Therefore, the sustainability of a system cannot be assessed properly without the exact specification of the system itself. In addition, it is preferable to act on the criteria that affect negatively the system to improve its performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation of surface morphology during homoepitaxial growth of Copper was investigated. For this purpose, simulations of Cu deposition on the Cu(111) substrate with an incidence energy of 0.06 eV at 300K were performed using the embedded-atom method (EAM). The grown thin film on Cu(111) reveled a rough surface morphology. During deposition, the important fraction of atoms intended for the upper layers undergone a rising rate of about 40% starting from the 2nd period and continued to increase until 65%, while the lower level reached a permanent rate of only 25% by the 4th period. Otherwise, except at the first layer level, the lower layers are incomplete. This void in the lower layers has favored the growth of the upper layers until a rate of 143% and has accelerated their time appearance. Th incidence energy has favored the filling of lower layers by reducing this surface roughness. However, the temperature effect needs more relaxation time to fill the lower layers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to establish susceptibility maps for the Moroccan Safi region, which is affected by karstification processes. This process is the predisposing factor for various landslide types such as debris flows and rock falls. In the first phase of this study, a landslide inventory was prepared by geomorphological approach based on visual interpretation of aerial photographs combined with direct observations in the field. The obtained inventory included 234 landslides: 14 rock slides and 75 debris flows in Brown Clay Formation, 74 rock falls in sandstone and 71 rock topples in Dridrat Limestone Formations. The inventory map showed that landslide phenomena occur mainly in the northwest and along the active coastal cliffs in the south of Safi. In the second phase, four landslide susceptibility maps were realized using the bivariate statistical method of Geographical Information System (GIS) matrix method (GMM). The established landslide susceptibility maps were validated by the degree of fit method. Obtained results showed that landslide phenomenon occurs mainly in the northwest and along the coastal cliffs in the south of the study area. Moreover, very high and high susceptibility levels were limited to the area including industrial and touristic activities as well as historical monuments. Overall, landslides were associated to karstification, lithology, karstic rocks and karstic spring presence, which are considered as predisposing and causal factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of this study is to investigate the influence of hydraulic retention time (HRT) on biogas production during leachate treatment using an anaerobic reactor type Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket. For this purpose, four HRTs ranging from 12 to 48 h were experienced. The obtained results showed that higher amount of biogas could be produced during longer HRTs. However, HRTs longer than 48 h could not affect clearly the biogas generation and considered as unnecessary given the small additional amount of biogas produced during the degradation process. A volume of 0.434 L/Lleachate/d was achieved during the treatment with a HRT of 48 h. The higher biogas production, the smaller chemical oxygen demand (COD) values achieved. Besides, COD removal and biogas production positively correlate, showing that the active biomass has degraded effectively the organic load to produce biogas. Moreover, all the analyzed physicochemical parameters have experienced a decrease after 48 h except for the pH, which increased to approximately neutral value. More precisely, a decrease of 93.8%, 89.7%, 95%, 70%, 77%, and 84.4% was recorded for COD, electrical conductivity, total suspended solid, turbidity, NH4+-N, and NO3--N, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study on the progress and transition towards a green economy in Morocco. Topics covered include the environmental communication practices of Moroccan companies, challenges that have hampered the country's efforts to anchor the principles of sustainable development, such as the adverse effects of climate change and the loss of biodiversity, and environmental report or a sustainable development report that Moroccan companies are obliged to publish.

This study aims to characterize solid household waste and to present physicochemical characteristics of fresh leachate before landfilling in Kasba Tadla city, Morocco. Obtained results show that household waste produced in 2013 were about 11,787 tons, or 0.27 tons/capita/year. These wastes were composed essentially of organic materials (74%), paper (8%), plastics (9%), metals (1%), and glass (0.5%). However, monthly produced leachate ranges from a maximum of 130.92 m3 during summer and a minimum of 21.88 m3 in winter. Moreover, leachate treatment using Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket technique was accompanied by a decrease in electrical conductivity, certainly related to leachate-sediment chemical exchanges. Otherwise, the same acidity reduction phenomenon occurs when pH value increased from 4.49 to 6.17 after 24 hours, confirming the system response since the early stages of treatment. In addition, temporal evolution of the treatment efficiency in terms of COD highlighted a very important reduction which reached 94% after 5 days with an average temperature of 25°C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oualidia city is located on the Moroccan Atlantic coast. Groundwater is the only resource for agriculture irrigation in this area. This operation is done by intensive pumping mainly in the coastal fringe. In this study, hydrochemical and geophysical methods were conducted to evaluate both composition and processes which control groundwater mineralization in Oualidia. For this purpose, 19 samples of groundwater were analyzed in major ions. The results showed that the mineralization is mainly due to sea water intrusion, especially in the first kilometer over the ocean, with abundance of Na (651.3 mg/l on average) and Cl ions (1,425 mg/l on average). Beyond this fringe, 1 km, the mineralization is low, with an abundance of calcium (190.4 mg/l on average) and bicarbonate (241.1 mg/l on average) indicating the rock nature effect. Data interpretation from six profiles of electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), performed in the region, has led to detect seawater intrusion extension. The level assigned to the marine effect is characterized by a resistivity lower than 30 Ω m. Moreover, hydrochemical and geophysical studies were provided information on the mineralization extension in the aquifer of this zone, which is limited to 1 km from the ocean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After studying the waste management opportunities in small and medium companies of natural casings, composting has proved more viable and cost effective solution for the valorization of these types of waste, but its feasibility depends on the final product value. This paper investigated a pilot scale program for the windrow co-composting of natural casings waste with sheep manure and dead leaves incorporation. Processing, characterization and application of the final compost were described and the final compost was analyzed for pathogens, metals, nutrients, maturity, and agronomic parameters. The results showed that all test result levels were below the limits specified in the EPA regulations published in Title 40, Section 503, of the Code of Federal Regulations (40 CFR 503). Moreover, the agronomic value tests which include nutrients, organic matter, pH, electrical conductivity, etc. showed that the compost had high organic-matter content and low salt content, all of which indicate good compost characteristics. The ratio of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), or NPK ratio, was measured at 1.6–0.9–0.7. Reported units are consistent with those found on fertilizer formulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to assess the evolution of seawater intrusion between 1992 and 2011 periods in the coastal aquifers of Oualidia. To achieve this objective, the combination of geoelectrical and hydrochemical methods was adopted. Apparent resistivity maps, using 74 Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) performed on 1992, allowed to distinguish two different zones. The conductive one, with apparent resistivity ranging between 4 and 86 Ω·m, is limited to 1 km with respect to the ocean. Meanwhile, the resistant one is much farther from the coastline. Besides, results of Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) profiles performed during 2011 are in good agreement with those obtained by apparent resistivity maps. The ERT profiles show a conductive level characterized by low resistivity below 30 Ω·m assigned to seawater intrusion effect. Moreover, hydrochemical analysis, performed on 19 wells during three different periods, on June, December 2010 and May 2011, indicates that the most affected part with marine waters was at that time localized in the first kilometer from the ocean, with high amounts of Na + and Cl − ions. Beyond this fringe, mineralization becomes very weak. Overall, the comparison of old VES with recent ERT coupled with hydrochemical results suggest no important evolution of the salt wedge since 1992. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to identify groundwater salinization origin and to determine seawater intrusion extension toward the inland in Chaouia, Morocco. To reach these objectives, firstly, 46 groundwater samples were analyzed for major chemical elements during January 2012 and, secondly, 10 electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) profiles were performed perpendicularly to the coastal fringe. Statistical analysis provided the distinction between three Clusters reflecting different hydrochemical processes. Cluster I and Cluster II-a showed a high water electrical conductivity (EC) (from 2.3 to 11.2 mS/cm) with the dominance of Na + (668 mg/L on average) and Cl − (1735 mg/L on average) ions as a consequence of seawater intrusion. However, Cluster II-b presented low ECs (from 0.5 to 1.7 mS/cm) and Ca 2 + (99.6 mg/L on average) and HCO 3 2 − (235.2 mg/L on average) ions dominance. Water chemistry in these wells was controlled by water-rock interaction, cation exchange, and anthropogenic activities. The Hydrochemical Facies Evolution Diagram highlighted the succession of different water facies developed between intrusion and freshening phases. The formation of Na-HCO 3 facies, which characterizes the last facies of freshening phase, followed the succession of Na-Cl, MixNa-MixCl, MixCa-MixCl, MixCa-MixHCO 3 , and Na-HCO 3 . In contrast, Na-Cl facies formation, which characterizes the last facies of intrusion phase, followed the evolution of Ca-HCO 3 , Ca-MixHCO 3 , Ca-MixCl, MixCa-MixCl, MixCa-Cl, and Na-Cl. Moreover, the obtained ERT results allowed determining the extent of different hydrochemical facies and provided more details about seawater intrusion extension. The conductive level assigned to seawater contamination showed a resistivity less than 36 Ω.m, which remains limited to 3000 m from the ocean, where Na-Cl water type dominates. The seawater intrusion depth varied between 5 and 40 m from the surface. Overall, this original study in Chaouia region demonstrated the effectiveness of combining hydrochemical and ERT methods to investigate seawater intrusion, particularly in areas with restrictive water chemistry data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of initial moisture content on the in-vessel composting under air pressure of organic fraction of municipal solid waste in Morocco in terms of internal temperature, produced gases quantity, organic matter conversion rate, and the quality of the final composts.For this purpose, in-vessel bioreactor was designed and used to evaluate both appropriate initial air pressure and appropriate initial moisture content for the composting process. Moreover, 5 experiments were carried out within initial moisture content of 55%, 65%, 70%, 75% and 85%. The initial air pressure and the initial moisture content of the mixture showed a significant effect on the aerobic composting. The experimental results demonstrated that for composting organic waste, relatively high moisture contents are better at achieving higher temperatures and retaining them for longer times.This study suggested that an initial moisture content of around 75%, under 0.6 bar, can be considered as being suitable for efficient composting of organic fraction of municipal solid waste. These last conditions, allowed maximum value of temperature and final composting product with good physicochemical properties as well as higher organic matter degradation and higher gas production. Moreover, final compost obtained showed good maturity levels and can be used for agricultural applications.