Biostratigraphie des foraminifères du Toarcien du Moyen Atlas Central, Maroc Biostratigraphy of the Toarcian foraminifera of the Central Middle Atlas, Morocco

International audienceLes dépôts toarciens du Moyen Atlas central, généralement de type hémipélagiques, indiquent des conditions de plate-forme et de bassin ; ils sont marneux et confinés dans les dépocentres, calcaro-marneux et condensés dans les dépoaxes. L'étude micropaléontologique des foraminifères benthiques a permis de suivre l'extension biostratigraphique des dif-férentes espèces rencontrées. Quatre biozones sont établies (biozone à Lingulina gr. tenera et Marginulina gr. Prima ; biozone à Lenticulina obonensis mg P. ; biozone à Lenticulina pennensis mg. M., Ichtyolaria hauffi, Dentalina utriculata, Citharina longuemari et spectre Lenticulina chicheryi ; biozone à Lenticulina d'orbignyi mg L. et Nodosaria pulchra). Les associations ou les espèces indicatrices de paléoenvironnements particuliers sont soulignées. Pour répondre aux conditions des milieux de vie, ces espèces adoptent généralement des stratégies exprimées par des tendances mor-phologiques particulières concernant, entre autres, la taille du test, son aplatissement et son déroulement. The Toarcian sediments of the Central Middle Atlas show hemipelagic facies deposited in platform to basinal envi-ronments. They are represented by marly thick sections which accumulated in troughs under restricted conditions and by condensed sections of marly limestones encountered rather on high ridges. The micropalaeontological study of benthic foraminifera allowed us to establish the biostratigraphic extension of the different encountered species. Four biozones were thus established (biozone with Lingulina gr. tenera and Marginu-lina gr. Prima; biozone with Lenticulina obonensis mg P.; biozone with Lenticulina pennensis mg. M., Ichtyolaria hauffi, Dentalina utriculata, Citharina longuemari and spectre Lenticulina chicheryi; biozone with Lenticulina d'orbignyi mg L. and Nodosaria pulchra). Both typical associations and paleoenvironmental marker species are described. In response to envi-ronmental change, significant morphological variations have evolved in these species (e.g. size, flattening and uncoiling of the test)

Stratégies adaptatives des foraminifères benthiques toarciens du Moyen Atlas (Maroc) : implications paléoécologiques. Adaptive strategies of the Toarcian Benthic Foraminifera of the Middle Atlas (Morocco) : paleoecological implications

International audienceAu Toarcien, dans le Moyen Atlas, l'analyse quantitative et qualitative des associations de foraminifères benthiques montre une adaptation aux conditions du milieu qui influent sur la diversité, la fréquence et les modifications morphologiques (forme et taille). Plusieurs taxons appartenant essentiellement aux Nodosariidés, aux Cératobuliminidés et aux Agglutinés adoptent des formes et des tailles particulières qui leur permettent de subsister et parfois de proliférer dans des niches où les conditions écologiques sont difficiles (déficit en oxygène, fonds vaseux, etc.). Quantitative and qualitative analysis show that, as a whole, associations of Foraminifera adapt with the conditions of the envi-ronment which influence diversity, frequency fluctuations and morphological modifications (form and size). Several species belonging primarily to Nodosariidea, Ceratobuliminidea and Agglutinea adopt particular forms and sizes which enable them to remain and sometimes to proliferate in niches where the ecological conditions are difficult (e.g. oxygen deficit, muddy funds, ...)

The implementation of the occupational health and safety management system according to OHSAS 18001/2007 in a Moroccan telecommunication company

Integrated environmental, health and safety management systems are a new management paradigm in modern organizations. These systems are built on the ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 standards, based on risk prevention and the precautionary principle. The study is carried out in a telecommunications company in Morocco. The objective is the definition of an approach that will promote the protection of its employees against the risks they face and not only prepare them for obtaining safety certification. It has become necessary to have a new approach to occupational safety, which is part of the overall management of the company, and this project has touched him. In fact, this study has tried to guarantee the best working conditions and the presentation of the employees' rights, as well as to reduce the indirect costs resulting from occupational diseases and accidents at work. In other words, the internal audit carried out demonstrated compliance with the main requirements of OHSAS 18001 regarding environmental, health and occupational safety management

A study of the microbiological and physico-chemical quality of drinking water intended for human consumption in the town of Kenitra

The quality of drinking water is highly dependent on physico-chemical and microbiological characteristics. This study envisaged to determine the physico-chemical and microbiological quality of the water consumed by the population of the town of Kenitra by analyzing the following parameters: Conductivity, Turbidity, Temperature, pH, Sulphates, Cadmium, Selenium, Arsenic, Fluorides, Total Iron, Manganese, Chloride Ions, Nitrates, Nitrites, Cadmium, Boron, Nickel, Trihalomethanes, Ammonium and Potassium Permanganate. On the other hand by analyzing the following microbiological parameters: Escherichia coli, intestinal enterococci, coliforms and revivifiable microorganisms at 22 ̊C and 37 ̊C. In general, biological contamination was not detected in the samples collected from Kenitra. At the same time, the results of some physico-chemical elements do not also show contamination in drinking water, which implies that the concentrations of these elements are perfectly in line with WHO requirements.Indeed, the physico-chemical parameters that were considered non-compliant in this work are temperature, pH, dissolved O2 and sulfate (SO42-) represent an impact on water. The results obtained were found to be below the values required by the Moroccan standard

Inventory and Quantitative Assessment of Belyounech Commune Geosites (East of the Site of Biological and Ecological Interest of Jbel Moussa, Northern Moroccan Rif)

In the commune of Bel Younech, which constitutes the eastern part of the Site of Biological and Ecological Interest (SBEI) of Jbel Moussa (Tangier, Tetouan, Al Hoceima, NW Morocco), 13 geosites have been selected along a 14-stop georoad. These sites are characterized by relevant geological diversity representing structural geology, stratigraphy, sedimentology, petrology, geomorphology, hydrogeology and hydrology. Some of these geosites also have a very interesting geoculture. The geodiversity sites have been evaluated using a numerical methodology based on recent literature that aimed to reduce the subjectivity related to any evaluation process. The evaluation concerned the scientific value (SV), the potential for educational use (PEU), the potential for tourist use (PTU) and the risk of degradation (DR), which was quantified using various criteria by assigning scores ranging from 0 to 4. The results of the quantitative assessment show that 8 sites with a scientific value greater than or equal to 3.5; this value allows them to be considered as geosites. The average values of the PUE and PUT were very high (3.7 and 3.5) while the risk of degradation was moderate (2.03). The values obtained justify the need of valorization and conservation of Bel Younech commune geosites by integrating the fundamental concepts of sustainable development. In fact, all the geosites are located on a 14-stop georoad; this could serve the geotourism as well as promote the activity and economic development of this commune. This work could be used for scientific, educational (within the framework of earth sciences) and touristic purposes. Keywords: geodiversity, geological heritage, inventory, Bel Younech commune, (SBEI) of Jbel Moussa, Northern Rif

Semi-Automatic Image Processing System of Aeromagnetic Data for Structural and Mining Investigations (Case of Bou Azzer Inlier, Central Anti-Atlas, Morocco)

Numerical analysis of geophysical data to uncover Precambrian belts and probably to enclose mineral deposits is becoming once more communal in mining activity. The method is founded on typifying zones branded to comprehend deposits and looking for analogous areas. The proposed work outlines a semi-automatic image processing system for the structural and mining investigation of the Bou Azzer inlier, which varies from preceding approaches as it is centered only on aeromagnetic data. The aeromagnetic signature of what seem to be geologically expressive features are pursued within the aeromagnetic items. Cobalt and associated mineralizations in the Bou Azzer inlier are recognized to arise nearby main crustal discontinuities revealing as significant shear zones, which turn act as drains for mineralizing fluids. Mineralization occurs in sectors of structural complexity beside the shear zones. Developing towards the semi-automatic uncovering of such regions, the furthermost prospective extents are those everywhere inferred structural complexity occurs next to the regions of magnetic discontinuity. The proposed method is mainly based on the approach developed by the center for exploration targeting. The study was led by means of aeromagnetic data from the Bou Azzer inlier, which is considered one of the most productive and prospective regions for minerals and base metal mineralization in Morocco. The combined results obtained from geological and geophysical data prove that prospective areas have a dominant trend of NNE-SSW, NW-SE, NNW-SSE, E-W, and NE-SW directions. The CET Grid and Porphyry Analyses show that the probable porphyry mineral deposit locations mainly concentrated in the center of inlier, the Foum Zguid dyke, and northern and eastern part, which correspond to the Bou Azzer ophiolitic complex and platform deposits of the Lower Neoproterozoic Tachdamt-Bleïda