Does water flow type influence performances of reed based constructed wetland for wastewater treatment?

The application of Phragmites australis based constructed wetlands (CW) have been widely used in various climates and also used for secondary treatment of diverse wastewater and polluted water. This work compares the treatment performance of two Phragmites-based mesocosms: the first with surface horizontal flow (SF), and the other with subsurface horizontal flow (SSF), in the same conditions of feeding and climate. The results showed a significantly high mineral content of the effluent water exiting SSF-CW. The last one was significantly more efficient in terms of removal of Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total Nitrogen (TN), ammonium (NH4-N), and Total Phosphorus (TP) compared to SF-CW, i.e. 26.3, 3.12, 1.59, and 0.62 g. m-2. day-1 in the same order. The microbiological load reduction is also significantly higher in SSF-CW. On the contrary, the other parameters of pollution monitored do not allow the identification of a significant difference between SF- and SSF-CW. The atmospheric evapotranspiration value was higher in SSF-CW by 24.8 ± 20 mm. d-1, corresponding also to a higher harvestable biomass of Phragmites of 58.2 t. ha-1. year-1.

Nitrogen and phosphorus uptake and biomass production in four riparian plants grown in subsurface flow constructed wetlands for urban wastewater treatment.

Riparian woodlands play a multiple ecological and environmental role, including control of non-point source pollution and increasing of nutrients retention. Four riparian species (Arundo donax L., Salix purpurea L., Populus euphratica Olivier and Tamarix gallica L.) were tested comparatively in tertiary treatment and/or secondary one under a Mediterranean climate. Mesocosm inlets and outlets have been sampled every two weeks, during 21 successive months, and analyzed to determine nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) contents. Growth, biomass production and/or NP contents of macrophytes were monitored during three successive vegetation periods. Results show that A. donax presents a higher growth rate (2.39 cm d-1) during the vegetation period, and a large harvestable biomass (118-134 t dry weight.ha-1.y-1) and aboveground N/P accumulation (1.55-2.13 t N.ha-1.y-1/0.16-0.17 t P.ha-1.y-1). S. purpurea and T. gallica show medium performances in this respect. In addition, A. donax-Mesocosm retains more particulate and dissolved forms of total nitrogen and total phosphorus, and orthophosphates in both treatment levels. In tertiary treatment, the annual collecting of aboveground biomass contributes to the export of 31.4% N-14.1% P and 14.5% N-7.71% P removed, by A. donax and T. gallica mesocosms in the same order. Collecting biomass of riparian plant grown in subsurface flow constructed wetland promotes more N retention when compared to the P one.

Performance of Lemna gibba bioreactor for nitrogen and phosphorus retention, and biomass production in Mediterranean climate.

Lemna gibba (Lemnaceae) had been experimented in Morocco to develop macrophyte-based wastewater treatment systems adapted to the local climatic and socio-economic circumstances. This species growing on pre-treated urban wastewater, in a lagoon (Lemna bioreactor) operating in fed-batch, generates a net productivity of 28.39 t dw.ha-1.yr-1, through regular harvest of the biomass produced. In wet seasons the roots of this macrophyte generally exceed 10 cm. The Lemna lagoon clearly reduces plankton production, especially during the vegetative period, when compared to the bioreactor without macrophytes (lagoon; chlorophyll-a concentration of 86.4 ±â€¯168 µg. l-1). The Lemna bioreactor also removes more particulate nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), and shows a highly significant total P and significant non-particulate P retention, in comparison with the lagoon. L. gibba can export daily the equivalent of 13.2% of N and 19.9% of P entering the bioreactor. The algal flora is dominated throughout the year by phytoplanktonic populations of Euglenophyceae and Chlorophyceae. Branchiopoda (Daphniidae), Insecta (Dytiscidae Chironomidae, Culicidae and Heteroptera), and Gastropoda are the main taxa of animalia developing in the Lemna bioreactor. In the Mediterranean climate, the L. gibba bioreactors would be more profitable in the tertiary wastewater treatment, especially P removal, provided regularly collect of the biomass produced.

Antioxidant-enzyme reaction to the oxidative stress due to alpha-cypermethrin, chlorpyriphos, and pirimicarb in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.).

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) becomes one of the world's foremost vegetables, and its world production and consumption have increased fairly quickly. The capacity to induce oxidative stress in tomato plant, exposed to three xenobiotics such as alpha-cypermethrin, chlorpyriphos, and pirimicarb, was investigated by the evaluation of lipid peroxidation by measuring malondialdehyde (MDA) rate; also, we studied the response of tomato to this stress by assessing the response of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione-s-transferase (GST), and glutathione reductase (GR). The effect of the insecticides was observed using four concentrations (25, 50, 75, and 100%) for germinating seeds and only the recommended concentration in agriculture (100%) for growing plants. Our results show an important accumulation of MDA, demonstrating the increase of lipid peroxidation in consequence of the excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production due to insecticide treatment. In response to this oxidative stress in tomato seedlings and plants, the activities of antioxidant-enzyme system were generally enhanced. The electrophoretic analysis showed also the apparition of new isoenzymes as the case for CAT and POD.

Melliferous floaa and apiculture in the pre-rif of the province of taza (north of Mroocco) / Floramelifera y la apicultura en el pre-rif de la provincia de taza (norte de Marruecos)

To quantify the plant diversity values in the Pre-Rif of the province of Taza (North of Morocco), as an environmental economic approach, investigations and field surveys have highlighted values of the local melliferous flora for apiculture. Honey flora, whose population pulls profit, consists mainly of 28 species and interests also itinerant beekeepers. We estimated an average of 12.1±10.8 beekeepers by rural settlement or "douar", of which 66.3% are itinerant and 33.7% are sedentary, and an average of 36.3±30.4 hives by apiarist. Moreover, several types of honeys are produced locally and consumed extensively as a health food. The hive yield in honey is depending on the foraged species: low for Origanum spp., Thymus spp. and Arbutus unedo, and high for Anthyllis cytisoides, Rosmarinus officinalis, Ceratonia siliqua and Ziziphus lotus. The direct benefits of honey flora are assessed to 14,859 MAD.beekeeper-1.year-1.

Para cuantificar los valores de diversidad de plantas en el Pre-Rif de la provincia de Taza (Norte de Marruecos), como un enfoque económico del medio ambiente, investigaciones y encuestas de campo han subrayado valores de la flora melífera local para la apicultura. La flora melífera, cuya población saca beneficio, se compone principalmente de 28 especies y interesa también a los apicultores itinerantes. Se estimó un promedio de 12,1±10,8 apicultores por asentamiento rural o "douar", de los cuales 66,3% son itinerantes y el 33,7% son sedentarios, y un promedio de 36,3±30,4 colmenas por apicultor. Por otra parte, varios tipos de mieles se producen localmente y se consume ampliamente como un alimento saludable. La producción de miel en la colmena depende de la especie forrajera: baja para Origanum spp., Thymus spp. y Arbutus unedo, y alta para Anthyllis cytisoides, Rosmarinus officinalis,.

Medicinal and cosmetic use of plants from the province of Taza, Northern Morocco / Uso medicinal y cosmético de las plantas de la provincia de Taza, Norte de Marruecos

This work aims to make an inventory of plants and their medicinal and cosmetic uses in the Pre-Rif (foothills of the Rif, a massif in Northern Morocco) of the province of Taza. Following ethnobotanical investigations, carried out with the local population and field surveys, 73 plant species used locally in traditional medicine have been identified, as well as six species which have ethno-veterinary properties. They belong to 39 botanical families and were collected essentially in the study area. Most remedies are prepared as decoctions (40 species) or with an aqueous base (infusion, aqueous macerate-8 species); more species are used for internal or oral administration (61 species) compared with external or local ones (27 species). These plants, 14.8 percent of which are central to herbalists’ activity in the region, are widely used in indigenous pharmacopoeia to treat common symptoms, such as gastrointestinal disorders (33 species), articular-system disruption, ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) diseases and headaches (24 species), and skin problems (11 species). Moreover, 13 species in particular are used by women for cosmetic purposes. The local population uses medicinal plant species for daily care which may increase the pressure on natural resources, e.g. vulnerable species such as Origanum compactum and Rosmarinus officinalis. Hence, the adoption of a sustainable-management approach to safeguard and preserve the local medicinal flora is urgent.

El propósito de este trabajo es el de realizar un inventario de plantas, sus usos medicinales y cosméticos en el Pre-Rif (estribaciones del Rif, un macizo en el norte de Marruecos) de la provincia de Taza. A partir de investigaciones etnobotánicas realizadas con la población local y de estudios de campo, se han identificado 73 especies de plantas (pertenecientes a 39 familias), utilizadas localmente en la medicina tradicional, seis de las cuales tienen además usos etno-veterinarios. La mayor parte de estas especies fueron recolectadas en la región. La mayoría de los remedios se preparan en decocciones (40 especies), o con una base acuosa (infusión, maceración acuosa - 8 especies). Del mismo modo, la mayor parte de las especies se administran por vía oral o interna (61 especies), en comparación con aquellas aplicadas de modo externo o local (27 especies). Estas plantas, 14,8 por ciento de las cuales son en el centro de la actividad de los herbolarios de la región, son ampliamente utilizadas en la farmacopea indígena para atenuar síntomas comunes, tales como trastornos gastrointestinales (33 especies), alteraciones articulares, enfermedades otorrinológicas (oído, nariz y garganta), dolores de cabeza (24 especies) y problemas de la piel (11 especies). Además, 13 especies son especialmente utilizadas por las mujeres para fines cosméticos. El uso cotidiano de la población local de estas especies medicinales podría acentuar la presión sobre los recursos naturales, es decir, las especies vulnerables tales como Origanum compactum y Rosmarinus officinalis. Por lo tanto, es urgente gestionar un manejo sostenible de estos recursos de modo de garantizar su protección y preservación.

Socioeconomic interest and valorization of medicinal plants from the Rissani oasis (SE of Morocco) / Interés socioeconómico y valorización de plantas medicinales del oasis de Rissani (SE de Marruecos)

The survival and sustenance of man depends largely on plants which generate directly 87 percent of its food needs and constitute a source of basic health care in developing countries. Based on socio-economic surveys and field observations led in the Rissani oasis (SE of Morocco), we have identified 109 species belonging to 45 botanical families and 102 genera. The distribution in families is: Lamiaceae (15.2 percent, Asteraceae (11.5 percent), Fabaceae (8.46 percent, Poaceae (8.12 percent) and Apiaceae (6.75 percent). The species used in traditional medicine correspond to 57.8 percent, for food 10.1 percent and for other uses 28.4 percent. Of these species, 10.1 percent are cultivated, naturalized, introduced and/or weeds. Byproducts of 46.8 percent of these species are imported from other regions of Morocco and locally marketed. Many medicinal species from this area are not recognized by the inhabitants, and their sensitization towards the use and conservation of local plant diversity is needed.

La supervivencia y sustentabilidad de la humanidad depende en gran medida de las plantas. Estas satisfacen directamente el 87 por ciento de sus necesidades alimenticias y constituyen, en países en desarrollo, una fuente para el cuidado de salud. Basados en estudios y observaciones de campo realizadas en el oasis de Rissani (SE de Marruecos), hemos identificado las 109 especies de plantas más utilizadas que pertenecen a 45 familias y 102 géneros. La distribución por familia es: Lamiaceae (15.2 por ciento), Asteraceae (11.5 por ciento), Fabaceae (8.46 por ciento), Proaceae (8.12 por ciento) y Apiaceae (6.75 por ciento). Las especies utilizadas en medicina tradicional corresponden al 57.8 por ciento, en alimentación 28.5 por ciento y para usos múltiples 28.4 por ciento. De estas especies el 10.1 por ciento son cultivadas, naturalizadas, introducidas y/o corresponden a malezas. Subproductos del 48.8 por ciento de estas especies son importados de otras regiones de Marrueco para su comercialización. Muchas de las especies medicinales no son reconocidas por los habitantes del oasis y es necesario sensibilizarlos en relación a su utilización y conservación.