Coupling of abiotic and biotic parameters to evaluate performance of combining natural lagooning and use of two sand filters in the treatment of landfill leachates.

A study in the Etueffont landfill, located in Belfort (France), was conducted to evaluate the performance of combining natural lagooning and use of two sand filters for treating leachates through the coupling estimation of several abiotic and biotic parameters. Two gravel filters were installed in the upstream of the first basin which communicates with the remaing 2, 3 and 4 basins. The distribution of physical-chemical (T, pH, Eh, EC, O2, SM, SO4(2-), Cl-, Zn, Fe, Mg, Ni, Al, As, Ba, Cu, Sn, Zn, BOD, COD, KN, NH4+, NO2+ ,TP, AOX: absorbable organic halides, VFA: volatile fatty acids, and atrazine) and biological (bacteria, protozoa, phytoplankton) parameters was assessed in the leachate entering in basin 1, and downstream of the filters. The results showed slight variations in the physical-chemical composition of the leachate between 1999 and 2000, most likely ascribed to the maturation of the landfill but a very significant removal of SM (suspended matter) by the sand filters. This, applied to the majority of the studied parameters. Thus, the sand filter treatment of the leachates combined with natural lagooning was efficient in the improvement of water clarification.

Coupling of the biochemical composition and calorific content of zooplankters with the Microcystis aeruginosa proliferation in a highly eutrophic reservoir.

The impact of the Cyanobacteria Microcystis aeruginosa on zooplankton dynamics was studied in the hypertrophic Villerest Reservoir (France). Samples were collected and their biochemical composition and calorific content examined. Three most abundant zooplankton species in the reservoir were considered: the cladoceran Daphnia longispina and the copepods Cyclops vicinus and Eudiaptomus gracilis. The three species were differently affected by the Microcystis aeruginosa blooms. Daphnia longispina did not seem to suffer from the proliferation of the M. acruginosa, although its biomass decreased concomitantly to the bloom. This collapse would be attributable to the lack of nutritional value of algae. Cyclops vicinus seemed to move away when Microcystis invaded the superficial layers of the reservoir. Because this zooplankter had migratory abilities, it reached the littoral zone where food was available. The energetic costs linked to this migration were clearly pointed out when the species recovered the pelagial zone in early fall. The behaviour of Eudiaptomus gracilis was not clear. This species underwent diapause as M. aeruginosa proliferated. This suggests that Eudiaptomnus gracilis moved away from the pelagial zone over the cyanobacterial blooms. In most cases, the cyanobacterial toxins affected the growth of zooplankton and the potential to use herbivorous zooplankton as a means to combat Microcystis proliferation in the Villerest reservoir seems limited.

The bacteria in the sediment of the Sahela reservoir (Morocco): potential impacts on phosphorus budget.

Temporal variations of phosphorus concentrations, bacterial abundance and activity of fractionated (i.e: size fractions: 0.22 to 0.65 microm; 0.65 to 100 microm and 0.22 to 100 microm) alkaline phosphatase (APA) were studied in situ in a benthic chamber placed in a station near urban inputs in the Sahela reservoir (Morocco) on September and October 98. Results show that low oxygen concentrations induced enhanced concentrations of orthophosphates, and bacterial numbers and APA activity reached their highest values. Anoxic conditions and the decrease of pH favour the dissolution of particulate phosphorus and the release of soluble reactive phosphorus. This release is accompanied simultaneously by an increase in the abundance of anaerobic bacteria and a progressive reduction in APA. Lastly, the release of phosphorus together with urban inputs from the city of Taounate should be considered as potential inducers of the eutrophication of the reservoir.

[Contribution of several physico-chemical tracers to the study of groundwater contamination by landfill leachates]. / Apport de certains traceurs physico-chimiques a l'étude de la contamination des eaux sosuterraines par les lixiviats de décharges.

This work deals with the estimation of the water content of several physico-chemical parameters in a landfill (Etueffont, Belfort, France), and their impact on the quality of the underground water. Samples were collected monthly from May 1998 to May 1999 with a vertical bottle, from the output of the landfill and from eight wells. The results showed high concentrations of most parameters in the well PZ30 and PZ3, situated near the landfill. The spatio-temporal distribution of the physico-chemical parameters (T, pH, EC, Eh, O2, Cl-, NO3-, SO4(2-), Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, Cu2+, Ni2+, Mn2+, Zn2+ and total iron) in the 8 wells was governed by geological, hydrogeogical, physical and chemical, and climatic factors. In addition, the concentrations of contaminants decreased in the last well (1 km from the landfill), indicating a purification and dilution effect. Nevertheless, we suspect short-term degradation of the groundwater in the Etueffont site.

[Urethral discharge in Morocco: prevalence of microorganisms and susceptibility of gonococcos]. / Les ecoulements urétraux au Maroc: prévalence des germes et sensibilité du gonocoque.

We studied 422 patients with urethral discharge recruited from 4 sentinel sites in Morocco to determine sociodemographic characteristics, history of STI infection, infecting organism and antibiotic susceptibility of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The mean age of the sample was 28 years (range 16-67 years), and most were single, had multiple sex partners without taking protective measures and came from all social backgrounds; 59.9% had a history of a previous STI. The majority (87%) of the infections were the acute form. By polymerase chain reaction of urine samples of 399 patients, 41.6% had N. gonorrhoeae infection, 6.3% Chlamidia trachomatis and 10.8% both organisms; in 41.4% no organism was identified. N. gonorrhoeae was strongly susceptible to ciprofloxacin.

Some characteristics of the HIV epidemic in Morocco.

The first case of AIDS in Morocco was declared in 1986 and since then the number of AIDS cases has steadily increased. According to the Ministry of Health, the cumulative number of AIDS cases in December 2002 was 1085. HIV in Morocco is acquired mainly through heterosexual intercourse. Individuals aged between 30 and 39 years and in the regions of Marrakech and Agadir have been the most affected. Monitoring of the trend of the epidemic by sentinel surveillance surveys indicates that Morocco is still a low prevalence zone, since prevalence among pregnant women is less than 1%. The estimated number of HIV-infected people in Morocco is around 15 000. It is not clear why the epidemic here has not evolved as it has in the sub-Saharan countries where it is spreading at an alarming rate. Late introduction of HIV-1 subtype B in Morocco, which is relatively less transmissible, circumcision and reduced risk behaviours of Muslims may explain this. Nonetheless, because prevalence has increased in recent years, unless preventive measures are strengthened, the HIV epidemic will worsen in Morocco.

Some characteristics of the HIV epidemic in Morocco

The first case of AIDS in Morocco was declared in 1986 and since then the number of AIDS cases has steadily increased. According to the Ministry of Health, the cumulative number of AIDS cases in December 2002 was 1085. HIV in Morocco is acquired mainly through heterosexual intercourse. Individuals aged between 30 and 39 years and in the regions of Marrakech and Agadir have been the most affected. Monitoring of the trend of the epidemic by sentinel surveillance surveys indicates that Morocco is still a low prevalence zone, since prevalence among pregnant women is less than 1%. The estimated number of HIV-infected people in Morocco is around 15 000. It is not clear why the epidemic here has not evolved as it has in the sub-Saharan countries where it is spreading at an alarming rate. Late introduction of HIV-1 subtype B in Morocco, which is relatively less transmissible, circumcision and reduced risk behaviours of Muslims may explain this. Nonetheless, because prevalence has increased in recent years, unless preventive measures are strengthened, the HIV epidemic will worsen in Morocco

[Urethral discharge in Morocco: prevalence of microorganisms and susceptibility of gonococcos]

We studied 422 patients with urethral discharge recruited from 4 sentinel sites in Morocco to determine sociodemographic characteristics, history of STI infection, infecting organism and antibiotic susceptibility of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The mean age of the sample was 28 years [range 16-67 years], and most were single, had multiple sex partners without taking protective measures and came from all social backgrounds; 59.9% had a history of a previous STI. The majority [87%] of the infections were the acute form. By polymerase chain reaction of urine samples of 399 patients, 41.6% had N. gonorrhoeae infection, 6.3% Chlamidia trachomatis and 10.8% both organisms; in 41.4% no organism was identified. N. gonorrhoeae was strongly susceptible to ciprofloxacin

Indicators and the measurement of STD case management in developing countries. STD PI6&7 Working Group.

The paper reviews methodologies for measuring quality of sexually transmitted disease (STD) case management through facility based assessments. These include observations and interviews of providers, as promoted by the World Health Organization's Global Programme on AIDS, and some of the viable alternatives including patient exit interviews, mystery patients, record review and patient encounter forms with supervisory visits. The paper concludes that the alternative approaches are feasible in resource poor settings and that they provide crucial data for evaluation and continued program development.