Premier sondage sur le polymorphisme de cinq enzymes utilisées comme marqueurs génétiques chez les bovins marocains de type Brune de l'Atlas

Des études électrophorétiques concernant le polymorphisme de la phosphoglucomutase (PGM) de la transaminase glutamique oxalacétique cytoplasmique (GOT), de la malate déhydrogénase mitochondriale (MOR), de la mannose-6-phosphate isomérase (MPI) et de la nucléoside phosphorylase (NP) ont été effectuées sur des échantillons de muscle de 40 bovins marocains de type "Brune de l'Atlas". La PGM, la NP et la MPI ont présenté un polymorphisme. Les allèles PGM3-A et NP-H, dont les fréquences sont particulièrement élevées chez la Brune de l'Atlas par rapport à d'autres races bovines mériteraient d'être étudiés afin de mettre en évidence de possibles relations avec les performances zootechniques en milieu tropica

Second Workshop on Atlantic chub mackerel (Scomber colias) (WKCOLIAS2)

The Atlantic chub mackerel Scomber colias has become an increasingly important commercial species in the European Atlantic waters in the last 10–15 years, probably through an expansion process from NW African waters and due to market needs. However, at present there are no assessment or advice requirements. In the WK framework, available information of the species in the West Atlantic waters has been compiled in order to evaluate possible geographical differences and trends, and the feasibility to describe its population structure. Though the Atlantic chub mackerel is not routinely included among the target species in the acoustic surveys performed in the Atlantic Iberian waters and the Mediterranean Sea, a synoptic overview of the species is possible over all its West Atlantic distribution. Moreover, the data available have indicated latitudinal trends, mainly in the landings’ length composition, L50 and the spawning periods. Nevertheless, even if some degree of connectivity likely exists and migrations are occurring between adjacent areas, some subunits could be considered for management purposes. From the assessment models’ trials carried out, the results or reference points obtained for the European fisheries cannot be retained at present. Therefore, continuing collating information from fisheries and biological sampling of the species, obtaining reliable biomass estimations from scientific surveys and identifying management units seem the main priorities to address in future research work and in case of assessment requirements

Kinetic tests of mine waste neutralization by coal fly ash, Jerada coal district, Morocco

Acid mine drainage (AMD) originating from mine waste (SM) is a major environmental problem of many metal mines in the world, both for operational and abandoned mines. The abandoned anthracite mine of Jerada, which is the subject of this study, is located in northeast Morocco. In the past, this mine has produced about 20 million tonnes of solid mine waste. The aim of this work is to study the feasibility of chemical neutralization of AMD using the alkaline industry residue termed Coal Fly Ash (CFA) as a cover form. The Coal Fly Ash available on site was characterized by chemical and mineralogical analyses, which showed that it contains about 9.43 wt % of calcite, known for its acid neutralization capability. The neutralization capacity of the CFA was then assessed by kinetic (column) tests and leachate analyses, which demonstrated the alkaline character of CFA, and confirmed a significant reduction of generated acidity that nearly reached a neutral pH, but also showed low potentials of oxidation-reduction, and a low content of SO4, Fe, and other soluble elements

Hydrogeochemical processes constrained by multivariate statistical methods and isotopic evidence of groundwater recharge in the aquifer of Figuig, eastern High Atlas of morocco

peer reviewe

Assessment of heavy metal content in the groundwater of the Triffa aquifer, northeastern Morocco

Anthropogenic activities, especially the agricultural practice of using pesticides and fertilizers, the use of solid waste dumpsites, and the rejection of wastewaters in the pits constitutes a major potential contamination of the groundwater in the Triffa plain, northeastern Morocco. We analyzed 41 groundwater samples for general chemistry, heavy metal content, as well as pH, temperature, and electric conductivity, during two distinct periods: March and July 2014. Our results show that the pH values range between 5.87 and 9.76, the temperature values range between 18.5 and 27.9°C, and electric conductivity (EC) values range between 1475 and 7130 µS/cm. Chemical analyses indicate that in many cases the arsenic (As) and lead (Pb) concentrations are in many cases higher than the admissible standard range established by the World Health Organization (WHO) for drinking water. In contrast, manganese (Mn) and nickel (Ni) levels are generally well within the admissible WHO standard. The method T-student was applied to arsenic and lead data to compare their average concentrations between these periods, and the results show that the differences are significant at p < 0.05

Distribution of black hakes Merluccius senegalensis and Merluccius polli along the Moroccan Atlantic coast

In the Northwestern coast of Africa three species of hakes overlap. These include European hake Merluccius merluccius (Linnaeus, 1758), Senegalese hake Merluccius senegalensis Cadenat, 1950 and Benguela hake Merluccius polli Cadenat, 1950. The Black hakes M. senegalensis and M. polli have their northern distribution limit in Morocco. In this study, this limit was set to 33.05°N (33° 3' 0" N) for M. senegalensis and 28.28°N (28° 16' 48") for M. polli. The fluctuation in the northern limit of the black hakes distribution could be a result of changes in oceanographic parameters (as the area is affected by the upwelling and considered as a transition zone between a warm and a cold region) or a seasonal migration of the species. A misidentification of species is not excluded. The general trend of the yield’s average decreases with latitude. South of the latitude 25°N M. polli is more abundant in average than M. senegalensis even if the latter could show some high yield spots (up to 155 kg h-1 ). North of the latitude 25°N, the situation is inversed. Black hakes were caught up to about 1000 m depth (1055 m for M. senegalensis, deeper than the ever-reported depth). M. polli showed a deeper distribution than M. senegalensis and was absent from the strata shallower than 300 m. The main concentration of M. polli was between 500 and 700 m where 81% of individuals are caught. The main concentration of M. senegalensis was in the stratum 300-600 m where 77% of individuals are caught. The maximum overlap of the two black hakes species was between 400 and 600 m suggesting a deeper population in the northern zone of the distribution of these species. Although M. senegalensis shows a maximum size (73 cm) greater than M. polli’s maximum size (66 cm), its average size in the study area (44.06 cm) was significantly smaller than M. polli’s average size (48.84 cm). The black hakes are considered as shared resources and need more studies with a regional scope so as to contribute to their management