Hydrogeochemical assessment of aquifer salinization in north-eastern Morocco's Gueroaou coastal plain using statistical methods.

The Guerouaou aquifer investigation spanning 280 km2 in Ain Zohra yields promising outcomes, instilling optimism for regional water quality. These analyses were applied to 45 sampling instances from 43 wells, enabling a comprehensive water quality assessment. Groundwater conductivity ranged from medium to high, peaking at 18360 ms/cm2. The conductivity reveals insights about the groundwater's mineralization. Key physiochemical parameters fell within desirable thresholds, bolstering the positive perspective. HCO3- levels spanned 82-420 mg/L, while chloride content ranged from 38 to 5316 mg/L, benefiting water quality. NO3- ions, vital for gauging pollution, ranged from 0 to 260 mg/L, indicating favorable results. Cation concentrations exhibited encouraging variations: Ca2+- 24 to 647 mg/L, Mg2+- 12 to 440 mg/L, Na+- 18 to 2722 mg/L, K+- 1.75 to 28.65 mg/L. These collectively favor water quality. Halite breakdown dominated mineralization, as evidenced by the prevalence of Na-Cl-Na-SO4 facies. Water resource management and local communities need effective management and mitigation strategies to prevent saltwater intrusion.

Trace metals and macrominerals in common seaweeds in the Marchica (a restored lagoon, Mediterranean Sea): Nutritional value and health risk assessment.

This study investigated the contents of macrominerals (Na, K, Ca, Mg and P) and essential trace metals (Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn and Se) in four species of seaweeds (Gracilaria sp., Alsidium corallinum, Caulerpa prolifera, and Chaetomorpha sp.) from Marchica Lagoon. The contents of macrominerals with mean values (% dw) can be sequenced in this descending order, [Ca > Mg > Na > K > P] for Caulerpa prolifera, and the decreasing sequence [K > Ca > Mg > P > Na] for Chaetomorpha sp. In red seaweeds, Gracilaria sp. and Alsidiumcorallinum followed these orders: [K > Ca > Na > Mg > P] and [K > Na > Ca > Mg > P] respectively. The essential trace metals mean values (mg kg-1) followed the decreasing order [Fe > Mn > Zn > Cu > Se] for Alsidiumcorallinum, Chaetomorpha sp. and Gracilaria sp., and the following order [Fe > Mn > Zn > Se > Cu] for Caulerpa prolifera. Based on the calculated recommended dietary allowance (RDA), targeted hazard quotient (THQ) and the hazard index (HI), the studied seaweeds did not pose any health risk for human consumption.

Valorization of Moroccan Bentonite Deposits: "Purification and Treatment of Margin by the Adsorption Process".

The main objective of this work was to contribute to the reduction in the contamination of phenolic compounds contained in margin by an adsorption process on two types of raw bentonite. The margin used in the studies was collected from a semi-modern oil mill located in the Nador-Morocco region. The results of the physico-chemical analyses showed that the effluents of the oil mills showed that they are highly polluted, particularly in terms of the total suspended solids (TSS), chemical oxygen demand (COD), and iron content of around 154.82 (mg/L), and copper content of 31.72 (mg/L). The mineralogy of bentonites studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) reveals the existence of two types of montmorillonite; theoretically, the diffraction peak (001) of the montmorillonite appears at 15 Å, with a basal spacing that corresponds to a calcium pole, and the diffraction peak (001) appears at 12Å, with a basal spacing that corresponds to a sodium pole. The specific surface area of the bentonite used is characterized by a large specific surface area, varying between 127.62 m2·g-1 and 693.04 m2·g-1, which is due to the presence of hydrated interleaved cations. This surface is likely to increase in aqueous solution depending on the solid/liquid ratio that modulates the degree of hydration. With a high cation exchange capacity (CEC) (146.54 meq/100 g), samples of margin mixed with raw bentonites at different percentages vary between 5% and 100%. The potential of Moroccan bentonite for the phenol adsorption of 9.17 (g/L) from aqueous solutions was investigated. Adsorption tests have confirmed the effectiveness of these natural minerals in reducing phenolic compounds ranging from 8.72% to 76.23% contained in the margin and the efficiency of heavy metal retention through microelements on raw bentonites. The very encouraging results obtained in this work could aid in the application of adsorption for the treatment of margin.

Improved yield, fruit quality, and salt resistance in tomato co-overexpressing LeNHX2 and SlSOS2 genes.

The K+, Na+/H+ antiporter LeNHX2 and the regulatory kinase SlSOS2 are important determinants of salt tolerance in tomato plants and their fruit production ability. In this work, we have analyzed the effects of LeNHX2 and SlSOS2 co-overexpression on fruit production, quality in tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. MicroTom), and analyzed physiological parameters related to salt tolerance. Plants overexpressing LeNHX2, SlSOS2 or both were grown in greenhouse. They were treated with 125 mM NaCl or left untreated and their salt tolerance was analyzed in terms of plant biomass and fruit yield. Under NaCl cultivation conditions, transgenic tomato plants overexpressing either SlSOS2 or LeNHX2 or both grew better and showed a higher biomass compared to their wild-type plants. Proline, glucose and protein content in leaves as well as pH and total soluble solid (TSS) in fruits were analyzed. Our results indicate that salinity tolerance of transgenic lines is associated with an increased proline, glucose and protein content in leaves of plants grown either with or without NaCl. Salt treatment significantly reduced yield, pH and TSS in fruits of WT plants but increased yield, pH and TSS in fruits of transgenic plants, especially those overexpressing both LeNHX2 and SlSOS2. All these results indicate that the co-overexpression of LeNHX2 and SlSOS2 improve yield and fruit quality of tomato grown under saline conditions.

Phytochemical screening, polyphenols, flavonoids and tannin content, antioxidant activities and FTIR characterization of Marrubium vulgare L. from 2 different localities of Northeast of Morocco.

Chemical compositions, biological and antioxidant activities of plants are widely affected by several parameters and conditions, such as geographical and climatic conditions, type of extract (aqueous or organic), as well as the polarity of the extracting solvent. Therefore the present study was the first one designed to study the phytochemical composition, the content of polyphenols, tannins and flavonoids, the antioxidant activities and the chemical composition analysis by FTIR spectroscopic of organic (ethanol, methanol, ethyl Acetate, petroleum ether) and aqueous extracts of Marrubium vulgare L. leaves, collected from two different sampling localities in the North-East of Morocco: Oulad Daoud Zkhanine and the Cape Three Forks. A phytochemical screening was carried out by specific coloring and precipitation reactions. The colorimetric method Folin- Ciocalteu was used for the quantification of total phenolic content. The method of aluminum chloride was employed for the quantification of total flavonoid content and the method of vanillin for the determination of tannins. The antioxidant power was evaluated by the DPPH and ABTS methods. The chemical composition of the organic extracts was analyzed by the FTIR spectroscopy method. Depending on the sampling location of M.vulgare L., the type of extract (aqueous or organic), the polarity of the extracting solvent, and the phytochemical screening revealed the presence of the following secondary metabolites: catechic tannins, terpenoids, polyphenols and flavonoids. The total concentrations of total polyphenols, flavonoids and tannins varied respectively between 0.27 ± 0.1 and 86.91 ± 1.22 µg gallic acid equivalents/mg,6.08 ± 0.17 and 33.82 ± 0.90 µg quercetin equivalents/mg and 2.73 ± 1.15 and 252.68 ± 4.50 µg catechin equivalents/mg. The antioxidant activity that was evaluated by DPPH and ABTS method showed that ethanol extract, methanol and ethyl acetate extract had the highest percentages of inhibition, unlike petroleum ether extract. The inhibitory concentrations (IC50) ranged from 324.55 ± 0.66 to 980 ± 0.62 µg/ml for DPPH and from 107.85 ± 0.19 to 890.74 ± 0.17 µg/ml for ABTS. FTIR spectroscopic analysis has revealed different characteristic peak values with various functional groups in the extracts such as amide, alcohol, phenol compounds. In general, the organic and aqueous extracts of M.vulgare L. that were harvested from Oulad Daoud Zkhanin were richer in secondary metabolites, and showed higher concentrations of polyphenol, flavonoids and tannins. In addition, they revealed a higher antioxidant capacity than the extracts of M. vulgare L.from the Cape Three Forks. Overall this study highlighted the potential benefits and richness of M.vulgare L. harvested from the two study areas and suggested it as a potential source of natural antioxidants that could be used in the food and pharmaceutical fields.

The Inclusion of the Microalga Scenedesmus sp. in Diets for Rainbow Trout, Onchorhynchus mykiss, Juveniles.

A nutritional study was conducted to evaluate the inclusion of the green microalga Scenedesmus sp. at 5% (SCE-5) as an alternative fishmeal ingredient. This microalga was tested with four replicates during 45 days using isolipidic (18%), isoproteic (48%), and isoenergetic (1.9 MJ kg-1) diets. Fish fed Scenedesmus sp. showed similar growth and feed efficiency parameters as the control group. Regarding the digestive function, the SCE-5 diet enhanced the activity of alkaline pancreatic proteases, whereas it did not affect that of intestinal enzymes involved in nutrient absorption. No histological alterations were found in fish fed the SCE-5 diet, although a higher density of goblet cells in the anterior intestine and changes in gut microbiome diversity were found in this group, which collectively suggests positive effects of this green microalga on the intestine. Dietary Scenedesmus sp. improved the fillet's nutritional quality in terms of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) levels, although it also increased its yellowish color. The overall results of this study showed that Scenedesmus sp. is a safe ingredient for compound feeds in rainbow trout when considering fish growth performance, animal condition, and health parameters, although it substantially affected the color of the fillet that may potentially affect consumers' preferences.

Seasonal variations of heavy metals content in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) from Cala Iris offshore (Northern Morocco).

Heavy metal concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Zn, Co, and Pb were investigated in soft tissues of Mytilus galloprovincialis coming from an aquaculture farm in Cala Iris sea of AlHoceima. Mytilus galloprovincialis were collected monthly during the period January to December 2016. The seasonal variations were affected significantly the concentrations of metals (Cd, Fe and Cr) in M. galloprovincialis. The highest heavy metal concentrations were recorded in winter (0.89 mg/kg, 673.2 and 3.330 mg/kg; for Cd, Fe and Cr, respectively) and the lowest values were founded in summer for Cd (0.646 mg/kg), and in autumn for Fe (340.1 mg/kg) and Cr (1.959 mg/kg). A significant effect of seasons on metal concentrations can be attributed to a number of biological and environmental inter-related factors. Data from this study may provide information on the use of M. galloprovincialis as a bioindicator for heavy metals pollution in the Cala Iris Sea.

Life cycle development of obesity and its determinants in six European countries.

This paper empirically examines the effect of parents' and individuals' own socioeconomic status on overweight and obesity, and investigates how this effect changes over the life cycle. The impact of individuals' health behaviours on their obesity status later in life is also studied. We use data from Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, the Netherlands and the U.K. in which 4595 individuals aged 50-65 are surveyed and where individuals' height and weight at different ages (25, 35, 45 and current age) are available. We perform "repeated cross-sections" analyses as well as dynamic probit analyses of the individuals' obesity histories. We contribute to the literature by examining the role of a variety of obesity determinants over the whole life cycle, not only over a certain portion of individuals' lives. Key findings are: (i) parents' socioeconomic status predicts obesity in early adulthood whereas the individual's own socioeconomic status as adult is more important in explaining obesity at later stages of the life cycle, (ii) changes in obesity status are associated with changes in health behaviours, (iii) obesity in late adulthood is strongly and positively correlated with overweight and obesity in younger ages, and (iv) cross-country differences in obesity and overweight largely remain after controlling for parental and childhood factors and individuals' health behaviours.