Moulay Ismail University

This study developed a sustainable and recyclable photocatalytic system for wastewater treatment based on green-synthesized ZnO nanoparticles using Argania spinosa press-cake extract. The ZnO nanoparticles were statistically optimized through a Box-Behnken design, achieving a maximum BET surface area of 20.109 m2 g-1, and were subsequently incorporated into binary (CS@ZnO) and ternary (CS@ZnO@Ghassoul) nanocomposite beads. The ternary nanocomposite exhibited the highest BET surface area (39.823 m2 g-1), surpassing those of CS@ZnO (31.145 m2 g-1) and the green-synthesized ZnO nanoparticles (20.109 m2 g-1). Under UV-A irradiation, CS@ZnO@Ghassoul achieved 97.87% degradation of Basic Yellow 28 within 40 min, with an apparent reaction rate constant (kapp) of 0.1071 min-1, while maintaining degradation efficiencies above 96% after three regeneration cycles. Radical scavenging experiments identified hydroxyl radicals (center dot OH) as the predominant reactive species. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations supported the experimental findings, revealing that Basic Yellow 28 possesses a narrow energy gap (2.05 eV), indicating high reactivity. The high electrophilicity index (omega = 4.59 eV) confirms that BY28 is a strong electron acceptor, readily attracting electrons from the photocatalyst surface. Additionally, the high charge transfer capacity (Delta Nmax = 2.92) demonstrates its strong ability to exchange electrons with ZnO, thereby facilitating rapid oxidative degradation. Furthermore, the regenerated CS@ZnO@Ghassoul beads removed 99.5% of Cu2+ within 110 min and successfully treated real textile wastewater, reducing chemical oxygen demand, biochemical oxygen demand , dye content by 97.3%, 67.0%, , 59.9%, respectively. Overall, these findings demonstrate that the CS@ZnO@Ghassoul nanocomposite is an efficient, reusable, and environmentally friendly material for sustainable wastewater remediation.

This chapter offers a pedagogical guide for a structured and practical approach to dissection in animal biology. It focuses on the morphological and anatomical study of two model marine species: Parapenaeus longirostris and Trachurus trachurus. This guide integrates the dissection method with active learning tools, such as poster-style instructions, drawn anatomical illustrations, and original photographic documentation. By following this step-by-step approach, students can explore functional adaptations, particularly in respiration, locomotion, and feeding, thus enabling direct comparative analysis. The integration of original simplified anatomical diagrams, combined with real-time photographs of the dissected specimens, provides a clear and practical visual guide. While these traditional methods are important, it is essential to complement them with emerging technologies such as virtual reality (VR), 3D modeling and simulations, and augmented reality tools.

The Moroccan oases serve as vital agro-ecosystems, sustaining large populations in arid areas. Among these, the Draa oases characterized by geographical and microclimatic conditions that support a rich biodiversity. Avian species in these oases play important roles in ecosystem functions such as pollination and biological control. In this chapter, we present a list of bird species observed in the area. Through multiple faunistic expeditions, we identified a total number of 23 families. The results revealed the confirmed taxa of Muscicapidae, Ardeidae, Strigidae, Alaudidae, Anatidae, Columbidae, Fringillidae, Glareolidae, Laniidae, Motacillidae, Passeridae, Scolopacidae, Accipitridae, Charadriidae, Emberizidae, Falconidae, Meropidae, Phoenicopteridae, Pteroclidae, Pycnonotidae, Recurvirostridae, Turdidae, and Upupidae. The study also documented a diverse array of ethological adaptations driven by the local harsh environmental constraints. These findings highlight the avian biodiversity in the region, providing valuable insights for future conservation and management efforts.

Background: The textile industry generates substantial volumes of dye-contaminated wastewater, posing severe environmental and health risks due to the persistence, toxicity, and resistance to biodegradation of synthetic dyes such as Crystal Violet (CV) and Methylene Violet (MV). This study aimed to develop a sustainable and efficient nanocomposite adsorbent by combining green-synthesized titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles with chitosan (CS) to address the limitations of conventional dye removal methods, including high cost, energy consumption, and generation of harmful by-products. Methods: TiO2nanoparticles were synthesized via a green route using crude aqueous ginger extract, with synthesis optimized by a Box-Behnken design considering extract volume (1-5 mL), titanium precursor concentration (0.1-0.5 M), and calcination temperature (400-500 degrees C). The optimized TiO2nanoparticles were immobilized in chitosan beads to fabricate the CS@TiO2nanocomposite. The material was characterized by FTIR, XRD, SEM-EDS, BET, and pHPZC analyses. Adsorption performance was evaluated through kinetic, isotherm, thermodynamic, reusability, and DFT studies, and validated using real textile wastewater. Findings: The optimal conditions (5 mL CAE, 0.3 M precursor, 400 degrees C) produced mesoporous TiO2nanoparticles with a BET surface area of 150.49 m2 g 1 and a particle size of 10.38 nm. Chitosan incorporation increased the surface area to 201.24 m2 g 1 with an average pore diameter of 8.25 nm. CS@TiO2reached adsorption equilibrium within 120 min, following pseudo-second-order kinetics (R2=0.992 for CV and 0.989 for MV) and the Langmuir model, with maximum capacities of 165.84 mg g 1 for CV and 132.84 mg g 1 for MV. Adsorption was spontaneous and endothermic, with Delta G degrees values of-6.26 to-7.84 kJ mol1 for CV and-3.86 to-4.59 kJ mol1 for MV. DFT showed a reduction in the HOMO-LUMO gap from 5.27 to 1.20 eV, while CV exhibited higher global softness (1.65 eV1) than MV (0.26 eV1). In real textile wastewater, the nanocomposite removed 87.75% COD, 75.00% BOD5, and 98.35% electrical conductivity, with near-complete decolorization, and retained 67.77% CV removal after five cycles, confirming its potential as an efficient and reusable adsorbent.