A Systematic Analysis on the Applications of Local Materials in Civil Engineering

This article presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the utilization of local materials in civil engineering projects, examining their role in fostering sustainable construction practices. Through a systematic review spanning from 2004 to 2024, the study delves into various dimensions of sustainability within civil engineering, emphasizing the critical importance of employing local materials. It underscores the environmental, economic, and socio-cultural benefits of integrating local resources into construction, while also highlighting the challenges associated with their variability, limited availability, and the need for standardized testing. The methodology involves a detailed bibliometric analysis, including data collection from prominent databases, and employs bibliometric software for data analysis, focusing on identifying key trends, research gaps, and emerging themes in the domain. The results reveal a stable annual growth rate in publications, with a significant emphasis on conference papers, indicating an active discourse within academic and professional forums. The study identifies China as a leading contributor to research in this area, showcasing a global interest with varying degrees of focus. Additionally, the analysis of keyword co-occurrences maps out the central research themes, reflecting a strong integration of traditional civil engineering concerns with modern sustainability challenges. The conclusion advocates for a continued emphasis on sustainable building practices, integrating local materials as a fundamental component of civil engineering projects to enhance environmental outcomes and societal value

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

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

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

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

Initial Discovery of Microplastic Presence in the Gastrointestinal Tract of Certain Fish Species in Al-Hoceima Bay

The accumulation of plastic waste in ocean environments is a critical ecological issue impacting marine wildlife and human health. This study assesses the presence of microplastics in the gastrointestinal tracts of fish from Al-Hoceima Bay, a key part of the Mediterranean marine ecosystem. Using Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, we analyzed 90 individuals from two different species, finding that 33% of the examined fish contained microplastics. Specific occurrences were 26% in mackerel and 40% in gilthead sea bream. These findings highlight significant contamination even in commercial fishing areas, raising urgent questions about the long-term ecological effects and health risks. Therefore, the need for effective plastic waste management policies is critical to protect our marine ecosystems and food safety

Investigating Microplastics in the Mediterranean Coastal Areas – Case Study of Al-Hoceima Bay, Morocco

The issue of microplastics pollution is gaining increasing attention as a global environmental concern. These tiny particles, measuring no more than 5 mm in size and coming in various shapes, can affect all types of marine eco-systems as they are easily consumed by a wide range of marine species. Al-Hoceima Bay, with its semi-enclosed nature and heavily affected anthropized coastline, was chosen as the study area for this research. The main objective was to investigate the presence of various microplastic types in Al-Hoceima Bay by implementing a sampling strategy along the coastline. This comprehensive approach was applied on a local scale within the bay (located in the northwest Mediterranean). Three stations were established in the bay, each located at different levels: the supralittoral, medilittoral and interlittoral. Microplastics were collected from these locations and classified into four categories based on their abundance. Digital microscopy was used to count the plastic particles and they were identified by Fourier transform-attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). Results showed a higher presence of microplastics in water at 114 particles/L compared to sediment at 70 particles/L. The classification of samples revealed fibers as the most prevalent form, followed by fragments and films being the least commonly found. The abundance of fibers was found to be higher in water 90%, while in sediment it was 31%, however, fragments and leaves were found in higher concentrations in sediment. Polypropylene and polyethylene were identified as the major polymers used in the microplastics analyzed

Investigating Microplastics in the Mediterranean Coastal Areas – Case Study of Al-Hoceima Bay, Morocco

The issue of microplastics pollution is gaining increasing attention as a global environmental concern. These tiny particles, measuring no more than 5mm in size and coming in various shapes, can affect all types of marine ecosystems as they are easily consumed by a wide range of marine species. Al-Hoceima Bay, with its semi-enclosed nature and heavily affected anthropized coastline, was chosen as the study area for this research. The main objective was to investigate the presence of various microplastic types in Al-Hoceima Bay by implementing a sampling strategy along the coastline. This comprehensive approach was applied on a local scale within the bay (located in the northwest Mediterranean). Three stations were established in the bay, each located at different levels: the supralittoral, medilittoral and interlittoral. Microplastics were collected from these locations and classified into four categories based on their abundance. Digital microscopy was used to count the plastic particles and they were identified by Fourier transform-attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). Results showed a higher presence of microplastics in water at 114 particles/L compared to sediment at 70 particles/L. The classification of samples revealed fibers as the most prevalent form, followed by fragments and films being the least commonly found. The abundance of fibers was found to be higher in water 90%, while in sediment it was 31%, however, fragments and leaves were found in higher concentrations in sediment. Polypropylene and polyethylene were identified as the major polymers used in the microplastics analyzed

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