Antioxidant and Anticorrosive Activities of the Plant Inula Viscosa L. from the Rif Region of Morocco

This work aims to highlight two activities of the abundant plant in the Rif region (northern Morocco), Inula viscosa L., namely, antioxidant and anticorrosive activity. We prepared extracts using the Soxhlet extraction technique using four solvents to increase polaritywich are water, and ethanol, ethyl acetate, and diethyl ethe. . Phytochemical screening is done using the Folin-ciocalteau method and the. AlCl3 The results of this work have shown that our extracts are rich in secondary metabolites such as flavonoids and flavonols, whose plant inspired its antioxidant capacity evaluated in vitro by the DPPH and FRAP techniques. The aqueous extract tested as a corrosion inhibitor showed considerable ability to inhibit the corrosion of mild steel in 1M HCl acidic media

Green Insulation Revolution: A Bibliometric Analysis of Cannabis-Based Composite Materials in Building Construction

Powdered activated carbon was used in different studies for evaluation in micropollutants removal. In this study, powdered activated carbon was tested to evaluate its removal efficiency for about 46 micropollutants. A total of 33 compounds were found in raw wastewater. The PAC was found to be efficient towards total suspended solids elimination. Powdered activated carbon reached high removal percentage for heavy metals (90%), while the majority of the other compounds it varied between 60 and 80%. The impact of advanced treatments combination with conventional treatments could lead to high removals

Comparative assessment of groundwater quality challenges confronting Mediterranean coastal aquifers: A synoptic review

Coastal aquifers, essential for agriculture, domestic, and industrial water supply, face significant sustainability challenges, particularly in Mediterranean regions, due to the adverse effects of human activities, climatic threats, and natural geological conditions causing salinization. This paper synthesizes findings from studies on three Mediterranean coastal aquifers— the Pleistocene aquifer in the Gaza Strip, the karstic aquifer in Bokkoya, and the MioPlio-Quaternary aquifer in Djeffara of Medenine—highlighting the escalating deterioration due to over-exploitation and arid conditions. It compares the methodologies used in these studies, such as statistical analysis, geostatistical modeling, and groundwater quality indices, to assess groundwater quality and address salinization challenges. This review aims to identify methodological limitations and propose strategies to fill research gaps, particularly in combating seawater intrusion, to enhance the sustainable management of these critical water resources

Valorizing Olive Oil Mill Wastewater: Transforming Waste into Natural Soaps

In this research, the main objective is to find a solution to the problem of olive mill wastewater (OMWW). This solution involves the recovery of liquid waste produced by the crushing units, which contain a significant amount of oily residues despite their initial treatment. The concept is based on separating these discharges into aqueous and oil phases and using the latter to manufacture natural soaps. The liquid waste from the extraction of olive oil has a significant content of oily residues, characterized by a very high acidity (2.73%), exceeding the value of edible olive oil, as well as a high saponification index (186.2 mg KOH/g), making it an ideal source of fat for saponification. The results of the valorization of the OMWW in soap manufacturing reveal several significant elements. First, following the characterization of cold and hot products, a clear preference emerges in favor of soaps made using the cold process. In addition, the production yield is notable, with a rate of 94% for cold saponification and 89.9% for hot saponification, highlighting the efficiency of the process. Finally, the study highlights the importance of the quantities of fatty acids used in the formulation of soaps. An optimal formula is identified, comprising 40% oils recovered from the OMWW, 30% olive oil, 20% cocoa oil, and 10% castor oil, demonstrating the need for a precise balance to obtain quality soaps. This study solves the problem of the OMWW by reusing them to make natural soaps, thus reducing industrial waste. It also opens up new economic opportunities by creating a profitable and environmentally responsible production chain, promoting the transition to a circular economy

Optimizing Leachate Management at Al-Hoceima Landfill: Investigating Bio-Pre-Treatment and Reverse Osmosis Approaches

Leachate poses a significant risk to soil, rivers, and groundwater, necessitating effective collection and treatment strategies. This study evaluates an integrated leachate management approach at the Al-Hoceima landfill, combining biological pretreatment with reverse osmosis. Initial analyses revealed high organic content in the leachate, with BOD5 and COD levels at 1,530 mg O2/l and 10,805 mg O2/l, respectively, and an ammonium concentration of 4,827 mg/l. Biological pretreatment achieved a 66% reduction in COD and a 56.02% decrease in BOD5. Further purification via reverse osmosis significantly lowered COD and BOD5 by 97% and 98.46%, respectively, ensuring compliance with Moroccan environmental standards. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of our integrated approach in mitigating the environmental impact of landfill leachate

Assessing the Efficacy of Commercial Activated Carbon Adsorption in Removing Emerging Contaminants from Wastewater

Powdered activated carbon was used in different studies for evaluation in micropollutants removal. In this study, powdered activated carbon was tested to evaluate its removal efficiency for about 46 micropollutants. A total of 33 compounds were found in raw wastewater. The PAC was found to be efficient towards total suspended solids elimination. Powdered activated carbon reached high removal percentage for heavy metals (90%), while the majority of the other compounds it varied between 60 and 80%. The impact of advanced treatments combination with conventional treatments could lead to high removals

Characterization of the Mechanical Behavior of Hemp-Clay Composites

In the present study, micromechanical modeling techniques were employed to examine the mechanical properties of a hemp/clay composite material. This composite consists of hemp fibers incorporated into a clay matrix, a configuration chosen in response to environmental considerations and the natural advantages of hemp fibers, which include their lightweight nature and their considerable strength and stiffness relative to their weight. The approach adopted incorporates both localization and homogenization methodologies along with the three-phase model to provide an in-depth analysis of the composite's behavior. The findings from this theoretical model show a promising correlation with empirical data, demonstrating the model's efficacy in capturing the composite's mechanical response

Potential reuse of sludge from a potable water treatment plant in Al Hoceima city in northern Morocco

Producing potable water generates a large amount of sludge, which consumes energy and must be managed and controlled. A case study of a potable water production plant in Al Hoceima City in northern Morocco is described here. The plant produces 15000 ​m3 of potable water each day to meet the water demand of Al Hoceima City, and this causes 3 ​t of sludge to be produced each day. Sludge extracted while producing potable water was characterized, and the possibility of reusing the sludge rather than disposing of it directly to the environment was assessed. The pH, turbidity, aluminum content, and other characteristics of the sludge were determined. Jar tests were performed to determine the optimum coagulant (aluminum sulfate) dose to ensure that the minimum required amount of aluminum sulfate was used. The characterization results indicated that the sludge was stable and reusable. The jar-test results allowed the amount of coagulant used to be optimized and will lead to markedly less sludge being disposed of than is currently the case