The spatial variability of water quality in the Mediterranean of eastern Morocco

Thirty sampling stations were surveyed each season during the period 2013-2015 in the objective to determine the water quality in the coastal areas between Saidia and Cala Iris. The CPA Analysis shows 5 groups associated following the water quality of 12 components. Only the sites close to the agglomerations bordering the lagoon of Nador and Al Hoceima show high values of BOD5, Nitrites and PO4. This deterioration of the water quality observed in some coastal sites explains in large part their low richness of the biodiversity of the algae

Distribution of aquatic beetles from the east of Morocco (Coleoptera, Polyphaga)

We present old and new faunistic and distributional data on aquatic Polyphaga (Coleoptera) from the east of Morocco, comprising the Oriental Region and the basin of Moulouya River. A checklist of 91 species belonging to 27 genera and seven families is provided. Ochthebius quadrifossulatus (Hydraenidae) and Pomatinus substriatus (Dryopidae) are new records for the basin of Moulouya River, and Helophorus occidentalis, H. discrepans, H. flavipes, Hydrochus flavipes, Anacena globulus, Enochrus fuscipennis and Hydrobius fuscipes, all belonging to the family Hydrophilidae, and Limnebius furcatus, Ochthebius aeneus and O. merinidicus (all Hydreanidae) are new for the entire studied area of Eastern Morocco. We found a clear dominance of the Palearctic elements, mainly Mediterranean, with a high proportion of Ibero–Maghrebian endemisms. This chorotype pattern is similar to those observed for other macroinvertebrates orders in the same study area. Data published in GBIF (doi: 10.15470/saajc8

3D Finite Element Modelling of Cutting Forces in Drilling Fibre Metal Laminates and Experimental Hole Quality Analysis

Machining Glass fibre aluminium reinforced epoxy (GLARE) is cumbersome due to distinctively different mechanical and thermal properties of its constituents, which makes it challenging to achieve damage-free holes with the acceptable surface quality. The proposed work focuses on the study of the machinability of thin (~2.5 mm) GLARE laminate. Drilling trials were conducted to analyse the effect of feed rate and spindle speed on the cutting forces and hole quality. The resulting hole quality metrics (surface roughness, hole size, circularity error, burr formation and delamination) were assessed using surface profilometry and optical scanning techniques. A three dimensional (3D) finite-element (FE) model of drilling GLARE laminate was also developed using ABAQUS/Explicit to help understand the mechanism of drilling GLARE. The homogenised ply-level response of GLARE laminate was considered in the FE model to predict cutting forces in the drilling process

Incidencia, distribución y biología de las especies invasivas de peces en masas de agua dulce y salobre del NE de Marruecos

[EN] Monitoring the presence and expansion of alien species and upgrading their biological and ecological knowledge seems crucial to mitigate their possible impact on native communities. Within inland superficial waters, alien fish represent an important threat to the biodiversity and studies on their impact on native communities have increased around the world in the last years. However, little is known about their occurrence, biology and influences in North Africa in general, and more specifically in Morocco. In the present work we aimed to: 1) investigate the presence of any native Aphanius species, especially the Mediterranean killifish Aphanius fasciatus recorded from the lower basin of the Moulouya River (NE Morocco); 2) monitor the presence and expansion of two invasive species, the eastern mosquitofish Gambusia holbrooki and the mummichog Fundulus heteroclitus; and 3) contribute to the understanding of the ecological and abiotic affinities that govern the distribution of these alien fishes in North Africa. To achieve these goals, several field sampling campaigns were carried out between 2014 and 2018 across eastern Morocco, comprising the administrative Oriental Region and the Moulouya River Basin and covering an area of 119,268 km2. No native Aphanius species were found. The eastern mosquitofish has invaded the freshwater hydrosystems of the northern part of Morocco, including the study area, while the mummichog is currently limited to the brackish and salty wetlands of Lower Moulouya. Our results show that the known ranges of these two alien species have expanded.[ES] Monitorizar la presencia y expansión de especies exóticas y mejorar el conocimiento biológico y ecológico de las mismas parece clave para mitigar su posible impacto en las comunidades nativas. Las especies de peces exóticas constituyen una importante amenaza para la diversidad en las aguas superficiales continentales, por lo que los estudios sobre su impacto en las comunidades nativas se han incrementado en todo el mundo en los últimos años. No obstante, el conocimiento sobre la incidencia, biología e influencias de este fenómeno en el norte de África en general, y más específicamente en Marruecos, es escaso. En este trabajo nos propusimos: 1) investigar la presencia de alguna especie nativa de Aphanius, especialmente del fartet mediterráneo Aphanius fasciatus anteriormente registrado en la cuenca inferior del río Moulouya (NE de Marruecos); 2) monitorizar la presencia y expansión de dos especies invasoras, el pez mosquito Gambusia holbrooki y Fundulus heteroclitus; y 3) ayudar a comprender las afinidades ecológicas y abióticas que rigen la distribución de estos peces exóticos en el norte de África. Para alcanzar estos objetivos realizamos varias campañas de muestreo sobre el terreno en el este de Marruecos entre 2014 y 2018, incluidas la Región Oriental y la cuenca del río Moulouya, cubriendo una extensión de 119.268 km2. No encontramos especies nativas de Aphanius. El pez mosquito oriental ha invadido los sistemas hídricos de agua dulce de la parte norte de Marruecos, incluida el área estudiada, mientras que Fundulus heteroclitus está limitado en la actualidad a las aguas salobres y saladas de los humedales del curso bajo del Moulouya. Como resultado de este estudio, las áreas de distribución conocidas de ambas especies exóticas se han ampliado

FE-model for Titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) cutting based on the identification of limiting shear stress at tool-chip interface

International audienc

Identification of limiting shear stress at tool-chip interface - Towards an improved FEmodel of Titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) cutting

International audienc

Distribution of the alien Tubificid worm Branchiura sowerbyi (Beddard, 1892) in Morocco

The tubificid worm Branchiura sowerbyi Beddard, 1892 is one of the most successful invasive freshwater oligochaetes worldwide. In the Maghreb region, this species was known only from two localities in Morocco and from one locality in Libya. This paper presents novel information about the current distribution and presence of this invasive species in Morocco, and provides guidance on further areas of research regarding invasive oligochaetes in North African

The first record of the swordtail Xiphophorus hellerii Heckel, 1848 (Poeciliidae, Actinopterygii) established in the wild from Morocco

Aquarium and ornamental fish trade is currently recognized as a major source of invasive species in aquatic ecosystems around the world. The swordtail Xyphophorus hellerii is a popular ornamental freshwater fish that occurs as an introduced species in the aquatic habitats of at least thirty-one countries. We report the first finding of an established population of the swordtail in Morocco. Twelve individuals of X. hellerii were captured along Oued Ain Chkef inside the park (Fez Province), including females and males (mature and immature). Ongoing investigations could soon reveal more occurrences of this species in the country

ON DIFFERENT FE-BASED MODELS TO SIMULATE CUTTING OPERATION OF TITANIUM ALLOY (TI-6AL-4V)

International audienc

Bio–ecology of Potamon algeriense (Herbst, 1785) (Crustacea, Decapoda) in eastern Morocco

Bioecología de Potamon algeriense (Herbst, 1785) (Crustacea, Decapoda) en Marruecos oriental Para contribuir al conocimiento de la bioecología de Potamon algeriense en Marruecos oriental y la cuenca hidrográfica del río Muluya, se estudiaron 90 estaciones entre 2013 y 2016, de las que solo 14 albergaban a esta especie, que se observó se encontraba limitada a los cursos de agua medio e inferior de la cuenca hidrográfica del río Muluya y más concretamente a las zonas de Oued Za, Zegzel y el curso inferior de la subcuenca de la desembocadura del río Muluya. Los resultados de los análisis estadísticos mostraron que los principales factores que influyen en la distribución y la abundancia de Potamon algeriense fueron la temperatura, la BOD5 y la conductividad.Bioecología de Potamon algeriense (Herbst, 1785) (Crustacea, Decapoda) en Marruecos oriental Para contribuir al conocimiento de la bioecología de Potamon algeriense en Marruecos oriental y la cuenca hidrográfica del río Muluya, se estudiaron 90 estaciones entre 2013 y 2016, de las que solo 14 albergaban a esta especie, que se observó se encontraba limitada a los cursos de agua medio e inferior de la cuenca hidrográfica del río Muluya y más concretamente a las zonas de Oued Za, Zegzel y el curso inferior de la subcuenca de la desembocadura del río Muluya. Los resultados de los análisis estadísticos mostraron que los principales factores que influyen en la distribución y la abundancia de Potamon algeriense fueron la temperatura, la BOD5 y la conductividad.To contribute to the knowledge of Potamon algeriense bio–ecology in eastern Morocco and the Moulouya watershed, a total of 90 stations were surveyed between 2013 and 2016. Of these, only 14 stations (out of the 90 surveyed) were positive concerning the occurrence of this species, which was found to be limited to the middle and lower watercourses of the Moulouya watershed, and specifically to Oued Za, Zegzel and the lower watercourse of the sub–basin Mouth of the Moulouya. The results of the statistical analyses showed that the main factors influencing the distribution and abundance of Potamon algeriense were temperature, BOD5, and conductivity