Evaluación del riesgo de contaminación por metales pesados en sedimentos superficiales de la Laguna Sur de Túnez mediante un procedimiento de extracción secuencial

In this study, the total concentrations and chemical forms of heavy metals (Fe, Zn, Pb, Cu, Cr, Cd, and Ni) in surface sediments of the South Lagoon of Tunis located in northeast Tunisia were investigated. Multiple geochemical indices were applied to assess the potential environmental risks. The South Lagoon is a valuable regional resource for fisheries, tourism and aquaculture. Total metal concentrations exhibited significant spatial variation attributed to the principal water circulation direction (east to west). The chemical speciation of Fe, Cr and Ni shows that they were mostly related to the residual fraction (Fe 34.8%, Cr 37.4% and Ni 37.9%), while Pb, Zn, Cu, and Cd were mostly related to the non-residual fraction (labile fraction Pb 89.4%, Zn 26.1%, Cu 71.8% and Cd 84.3%). Pb, Zn, Cu and Cr are of high potential bioavailability. The highest pollution was found on the west side of the lagoon according to the calculated global contamination factors. Besides, individual contamination factors, Pb followed by Zn and Cu, posed the highest risk of contamination. This study shows that, even after dredging, the persistence of low concentrations of some contaminants may cause environmental problems in certain physico-chemical conditions.En este estudio, se investigaron las concentraciones totales y las formas químicas de los metales pesados (Fe, Zn, Pb, Cu, Cr, Cd y Ni) en los sedimentos superficiales de la Laguna Sur de Túnez, ubicada en el noreste de Túnez. Se aplicaron múltiples índices geoquímicos para evaluar los riesgos ambientales potenciales. La Laguna Sur es un valioso recurso regional para la pesca, el turismo y la acuicultura. Las concentraciones totales de metales exhibieron una variación espacial significativa, atribuida a la dirección principal de circulación del agua (Este a Oeste). La especiación química de Fe, Cr y Ni muestra que están esencialmente relacionados con la fracción residual (Fe: 34,8%, Cr: 37,4% y Ni: 37,9%), mientras que Pb, Zn, Cu y Cd se encontraron mayoritariamente en la fracción no residual. -fracción residual (fracción lábil Pb: 89,4%, Zn: 26,1%, Cu: 71,8% y Cd: 84,3%). Estos elementos (Pb, Zn, Cu y Cr) tienen un alto potencial de biodisponibilidad. La mayor contaminación se encontró en el lado oeste de la laguna, según los factores de contaminación global calculados. Además, los factores de contaminación individuales, Pb seguido de Zn y Cu, presentaron el mayor riesgo de contaminación. Este estudio muestra que, incluso después de la operación de dragado, la persistencia de bajas concentraciones de algunos contaminantes puede causar problemas ambientales en determinadas condiciones físico-químicas

Improving the mechanical performances of a multilayered plate with the orientations of its layers of fibers

International audienceWe consider a symmetric composite multilayered plate whose fiber orientation variesfrom a layer to another. The plate model used is that of Mindlin. We are interested indetermining the optimal fiber orientations that optimize, in the same time, two criteria:minimizing the compliance and maximizing the smallest eigenfrequency of vibration orminimizing both of the compliance and the smallest eigenfrequency or maximizing bothof the smallest eigenfrequency and the smallest buckling load. In order to optimize one ofthe above criteria, a metaheuristic algorithm of Simulated Annealing type is used. While, inthe case of optimizing two objectives, the Pareto front method is used. Numerical resultsare presented for a rectangular eight-layered plate

Bioavailability and Assessment of Metal Contamination in Surface Sediments of Rades-Hamam Lif Coast, around Meliane River (Gulf of Tunis, Tunisia, Mediterranean Sea)

The total concentration and the speciation of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, Ni, and Cr) in surface sediments of Rades-Hamam Lif coast were determined, with particular focus on the effect that urban and industrial waste in the Meliane river has on the estuary and coastal surface sediments of the Rades-Hamam Lif coast, off the Mediterranean Sea. Several geochemical indices were applied to assess the risk of contamination and the environmental risks of heavy metals on surface sediments. The total concentrations of these heavy metals are influenced by runoff, industrial, and urban wastewater. The Cd, Pb, Zn, and Ni are affected by anthropogenic sources, especially at the mouth of the Meliane river. The sequential extraction of Cd was presented dominantly in the exchangeable fraction and thus the high potential bioavailability. In contrast, Cr and Cu were mostly bound to the residual fraction indicating their low toxicity and bioavailability. The order of migration and transformation sequence was Cd > Pb > Ni > Zn > Cr > Cu, and the degree of pollution was Cd > Pb > Ni > Zn > Cr > Cu

Validated Inventories of Non-Indigenous Species (NIS) for the Mediterranean Sea as Tools for Regional Policy and Patterns of NIS Spread

This work presents refined, updated subregional and regional non-indigenous species (NIS) inventories for the Mediterranean Sea, validated by national and taxonomic experts, with species records observed until December 2020. These datasets will be used as the baselines for the implementation of the Integrated Monitoring and Assessment Programme for the Mediterranean (IMAP) and the Mediterranean Quality Status Report 2023. In total, 1006 non-indigenous species have been found in Mediterranean marine and brackish waters. The highest numbers of NIS were observed in Israel, Türkiye, Lebanon and Italy. Approximately 45 species were categorized as data deficient, either due to lack of consensus on their alien status or the validity of their identification. Polychaeta, Foraminifera and macroalgae were the groups with the highest numbers of controversial species. There was a general increase in the yearly rate of new NIS introductions after the late 1990s, which appears to be slowing down in the last decade, but this may be confounded by reporting lags and differential research efforts. Between 1970 and 2020 there has been a steep increase in the proportion of shared species present throughout all four Mediterranean subregions, which are predominantly transported via shipping and recreational boating. While Lessepsian species are gradually spreading westwards and northwards, there is still a considerable invasion debt accumulating in the eastern and central Mediterranean