Evaluation of the water retention curve of Abidjan Quaternary aquifer

Objectives: This study examines the occurrence of mold in homes and road damage related to soil permanent humidity in the south part of the Abidjan city. The causes of permanent humidity are sought through the study of the water retention curve (WRC) of the aquifer materials. Methods and Results: The water retention curve is difficult to measure in situ on large sites like this aquifer. Kovac’s modified model to predict the water retention curve is tested. Predicted curves are compared with in situ measurements points. The results show that, overall, the model predicts well the water retention curves. The study of the WRC showed an important wet area above the water table in the case of fine sand and clay and sand mixtures. In these areas, there is a capillary rise of water in houses under-basements and other infrastructure. Conclusions and application of results: This work allowed identifying risk areas for the houses and roads construction in the south part of Abidjan city. It also highlights a method for predicting water retention curve of aquifer soil materials of Abidjan. This model has the advantage of using soil physical parameters easy to determine. The results of this study are useful to define a general development plan of the Abidjan city. They highlight potentially wet areas on which precautions must be taken before building infrastructure. Key words: water retention curve, quaternary aquifer, capillary rise of water J. Appl. Biosci. 201

Assessment of Wells Water Quality and their Suitability for Drinking in M'Bahiakro City (Côte d'Ivoire)

The present study was carried out to assess the quality and the suitability of the well waters for drinking in M’bahiakro city (centre-east of Côte d’Ivoire). The work was performed on 71 wells in February 2012 (dry season) and June 2012 (rainy season). Groundwater levels and physico-chemical parameters (pH, temperature, electrical conductivity, redox potential (Eh), Total Dissolved Solid (TDS) and Salinity) were measured to assess the water table fluctuation and the groundwater quality. Standardized Principal Component Analysis (SPCA) was calculated to group the well waters and to evaluate their suitability for drinking according to different classes. Water table varies between 125 and 135 m during the dry season and between 127 and 136 m during the rainy season with a West-Est flow direction. The recharge values ranged between 0.57 m and 5.57 m. Wells waters are generally acidic (pH<6.5), high mineralized with conductivities and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) respectively above 600 µS/cm and 300 mg/l. Well water salinity values ranged between 0.30 and 0.5%. The Standardized Principal Component Analysis (SPCA) allowed distinguishing three important groups of water within M’bahiakro area: the first group of wells with high mineralized water, the second group of wells with high potential redox (Eh) and the third group of wells with pH closer to neutral. The first and second groups are not very suitable for drinking because they are suspected of being contaminated by anthropogenic sources such as septic tanks and wild dump. Waters of these wells need to be treated before any domestic use

Caractérisation des effluents de boues activées d’une usine agroalimentaire en vue de son utilisation comme eau d’arrosage de pelouses en zone tropicale humide

Les eaux résiduaires d’une usine agroalimentaire située à Abidjan, traitées par boues activées, ont été caractérisées en vue d’une réutilisation pour l’arrosage des espaces verts. L’effluent à la sortie de la STEP présente un taux d’abattement d’environ 96 % pour la DCO et la DBO5. Le pH varie entre 6,5 et 8,5. Quant aux parasites (ankylostomes, anguillules, nématodes, helminthes), ils sont tous éliminés. Par contre, en moyenne 1,2•106 coliformes totaux et 8,3•103 coliformes thermotolérants pour 100 mL ont été dénombrés. En outre, la conductivité de l’effluent était en moyenne de 2 670 µmhos/cm avec un taux d’absorption de sodium (SAR) moyen de 23,92. Par conséquent, les effluents traités ne répondaient pas aux recommandations de l’O.M.S. quant à leur réutilisation pour l’arrosage d’espaces verts.La mise en place d’ouvrages supplémentaires d’épuration des eaux pourrait contribuer à réduire les risques sanitaires et ceux liés à la salinité, susceptibles de compromettre la réutilisation des effluents traités pour l’arrosage.The wastewater from an agro-food industrial factory, treated by an activated sludge process, was characterized for re-use in the watering of parklands. The factory was located in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. The effluent from the sewage treatment plant showed a reduction of the Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and five-day Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD5 of approximately 96% and had a pH varying between 6.5 and 8.5. Parasites (ankylostomes, anguillules, nematodes, helminths) were also all eliminated. However, on average 1.2 x 106 total coliforms and 8.3 x 103 faecal coliforms per 100 mL were counted. Moreover, the average conductivity of the effluent was 2670 µmhos/cm with an average rate of sodium absorption (SAR) of 23.9. Consequently, the treated effluent did not meet the recommendations of the World Health Organization and was, therefore, not suitable for the watering of parklands. Additional water purification could reduce medical risks and those related to salinity, and allow the re-use of effluents for watering

Abcès froid dorsolombaire révélant un mal de Pott

Les abcès froids tuberculeux représentent une forme rare et inhabituelle de tuberculose extra pulmonaire. Nous rapportons un cas d’abcès froid dorsolombaire révélant un mal de Pott sans complications neurologiques chez un patient de 27 ans, présentant depuis 05 mois une tuméfaction dorsolombaire gauche. L’examen du prélèvement à l’issu d’une incision et drainage de l’abcès a permis de confirmer l’origine tuberculeuse. Un traitement antituberculeux de 12 mois permettait une guérison avec une séquelle à type de gibbosité modérée.Mots clés: Abcès froid, mal de Pott, osteoarticulaire, spondylodiscite, tuberculoseEnglish Title: Dorsolumbar cold abscess revealing Pott’s diseaseEnglish AbstractTuberculous cold abscesses are a rare and unusual form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. We here report the case of a 27-year old patient with a 5-month history of left dorsolumbar swelling presenting with dorsolumbar cold abscess revealing Pott’s disease without neurological complications. Examination of pus sample collected at the time the abscess was incised and drained helped to confirm the diagnosis of cold abscesses of TB origin. The patient underwent 12 months of anti-tuberculosis treatment which lead to a faster recovery; the sequelae was slight gibbosity.Keywords: Cold abscess, Pott’s disease, osteoarticular, spondylodiscitis, tuberculosi

Déformation de Madelung à propos d’un cas et revue de la littérature

La maladie de Madelung est une déformation du poignet due à une atrophie de la partie médiale du cartilage de croissance distal du radius. Il en résulte une subluxation antéro-médiale du carpe,limitant les amplitudes articulaires. Cette dysplasie osseuse est rare et représente 1,7% des anomalies congénitales. Les auteurs rapportent un cas bilatéral chez une fille de 21 ans. L’étude de cette observation nous a permis d’étudier la fréquence, les signes et les moyens de son diagnostic ainsi que les mesures thérapeutiques adéquates afin de pouvoir répondre aux attentes des patientes.Pan African Medical Journal 2016; 2

Surveillance and control of cassava diseases in Africa

International audienceno abstrac

Surveillance and control of cassava diseases in Africa - International meeting results in Pan-African cassava disease network

International audienceCassava is the most important vegetatively propagated food staple crop in Africa. Even if its vegetative propagation through stem cuttings has many advantages, it also represents its Achilles heel. Pathogens are passed from one generation to the next and can easily accumulate, threatening cassava production. Two viral diseases are currently considered to be the greatest global threat to cassava production in Africa. Faced with the gravity of this situation, 43 scientists from African national and regional institutions and international agricultural research centres met in Saint-Pierre, La Réunion Island from 10 to 13 June 2014, to contribute to the surveillance and control of cassava diseases and pests that threaten the food security and livelihoods of millions Africans. The main action was to consolidate and develop a global alliance against cassava diseases in Africa and a strategic action plan with several international initiatives for the coming years. Firstly, the establishment of a Pan-African Cassava Surveillance Network (PACSUN) with an interactive website and an International Cassava Transit Site (ICTS) in La Réunion. Secondly, the development of diagnostic technologies to better identifying viruses, bacteria and vectors, and a comprehensive educational and training plan to support all these activities. (Texte intégral