Land degradation is increasing as a result of the adoption of unsustainable agricultural practices and the occurrence of extreme climatic events. Soil erosion is relatively high in Morocco, varying depending on the topography, geology, climate, and human factors. Monitoring soil quality is essential for the timely formulation and implementation of effective management interventions. This study evaluates soil erosion and quality in one of the important agroecosystems in the Mediterranean region, a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) site based on an argan agroforestry system in the Anti-Atlas arid mountain in Morocco. It combines field data and modeling approaches based on remote sensing and laboratory analyses. The Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation was used to estimate erosion, while Principal Component Analysis and correlation matrix were employed to assess the soil quality index. Based on 25 soil sampling points collected during the 2022–2023 period, results show that soil quality is predominantly bad (56
Application of CuO nanoparticles (NPs) deposited via sonochemical synthesis onto polyethersulfone (PES) ultrafiltration membranes for fouling mitigation in anaerobic digestate treatment was investigated. Modified membranes were prepared at three sonication intensities (45
The sustained irrigation using treated wastewater (TWW) represents a sustainable solution to water scarcity in arid and semi-arid regions; however, it also raises concerns regarding the retention and migration of heavy metals (HMs) within soil. This research implements a machine learning–based framework to predicting the spatiotemporal migration of heavy metals under prolonged TWW irrigation, using representative soil from Sfax, Tunisia as a semi-arid case study. Concentration datasets of chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), and iron (Fe), corresponding to irrigation period of 15 years, were generated using the process-based HYDRUS-1D model and employed to train and validate four machine learning (ML) models: Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), Artificial Neural Network (ANN), Gradient Boosting Regressor (GBR), and K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN). Model accuracy was assessed by mean absolute error (MAE), mean squared error (MSE), root mean squared error (RMSE), and the coefficient of determination (R2). Results demonstrate that LSTM and GBR models provide excellent agreement with HYDRUS-1D simulations, achieving near-zero error metrics and R2 values approaching unity for all investigated metals. The LSTM model effectively captures time-dependent accumulation and memory effects inherent in heavy-metal transport under long-term irrigation. While ANN and KNN models also yield acceptable predictions, their performance is comparatively less robust, especially for long-term scenarios and deeper soil layers. Overall, the proposed machine learning framework offers a computationally efficient and reliable alternative to traditional process-based models for forecasting heavy-metal transport in TWW-irrigated soil, supporting sustainable irrigation management and environmental risk assessment.
In poor areas, a high burden of disease and mortality is caused by inadequate access to clean water sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). The different technical adsorption of the dye investigation is briefly described in this publication. In a time when sustainability is becoming more and more important, controlling industrial effluents is crucial to lessening the effects on the environment, especially from the textile and dyeing industries. This study looks at the possibility of the various materials being studied as effective agents for color effluent treatment. Despite its potential, there are challenges to be addressed. A number of models and adsorption mechanisms are described in order to enhance understanding of the process. The paper also discusses the potential and challenges of adsorption technology, developing economical and sustainable regeneration methods, and considering the environmental impact of adsorbent materials. By providing a comprehensive analysis of the mechanisms, efficiency, and limitations, this work promotes additional research to enhance the solutions for the various materials. Ultimately, these findings contribute to the development of more sustainable, Physicochemical treatment and ecologically friendly wastewater treatment methods. The biosorption potential of the produced eddied of the adsorbent organic polymer for the elimination of Dyeing wastewater has been established by comparing all results with DFT-theoretical results.
The progressive water scarcity in mountain oases in South Tunisia is threatening the sustainability of water resources and agricultural systems. This study assessed the groundwater quality in the Tamaghza mountain oasis through physico-chemical and microbiological analyses at six stations along an upstream-downstream gradient during five campaigns between June 2023 and June 2024. Water quality was evaluated according to national and international standards for drinking, irrigation, recreational use and livestock watering. Thirty physico-chemical parameters and seven microbiological indicators were analyzed using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Factor Analysis of Mixed Data (FAMD). Results revealed seasonal temperature variations (16.5–27.2 °C), stable slightly alkaline pH (7.73–8.11) and downstream increases in salinity, electrical conductivity, bicarbonate and fluoride. Nitrate and total nitrogen peaked in early summer, whereas ammonium predominated in winter. Heavy metals (Cu, Zn) remained very low and microbiological indicators were generally stable, although total coliform counts exceeded 100 CFU/100 mL downstream. PCA and FAMD confirmed spatio-temporal structuring and mineralization gradients. The observed degradation reflects a chronic cumulative pollution process. The water was unsuitable for human intake, but remained suitable for irrigation and livestock watering and occasionally for recreational use. Use-specific management, pretreatment, and continuous monitoring are therefore essential to ensure sustainability.
Waste biomass originating from agricultural sources was converted into biosorbent materials and evaluated for the adsorption of Methylene Blue from aqueous environments. Several characterization techniques were applied to investigate the properties of the new materials such as FTIR, SEM, DRX and BET analysis, the different biomasses were treated with KOH which in result enhanced the surface porosity, in addition several advanced artificial intelligence was analyzed using mathematical models to derive the relevant adsorption parameters, Under the optimized operating conditions, a percentage of dye removed of 95.98
Land use dynamics, and climate change significantly impact the hydrological cycle and water resources. Therefore, the present study assessed the combined impacts of land use and climate changes on groundwater recharge of the Motril Salobreña coastal aquifer over the period 1980–2020, using WetSpass-M model. In the present study, two phases were tested. In the first phase, irrigation allocation with precipitation was considered, whereas in the second phase, only the precipitation was taken into account as the water input, similar to many other previous studies. Each phase comprises four scenarios, with two scenarios addressing land use/cover and the other two focusing on climate change influence. The study results revealed 14 land use types of 2000 and 2020, which were as follows: urban zone, built-up zone, industry zone, port, field, agriculture, greenhouse, orchard, grassland, shrubland, forest, beach/dunes, water body and roads. Agriculture and orchard were the dominant land use types in 2000 and 2020. Agriculture land decreased 15
Argan oil is produced by processing roasted kernels obtained from the fruits of the argan tree (Argania spinosa L. Skeels) cultivated in Mostaganem, Algeria. Edible argan oil is exceptionally rich in unsaturated fatty acids, polyphenols, tocopherols, and other bioactive compounds, which provide nutritional and cosmetic benefits. The present study aimed to assess the physicochemical quality and oxidative stability of argan oil through its chemical characterization. Oil from roasted argan kernels was extracted by mechanical pressing. Fatty acid profiling was performed using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS-QP2020), while high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC-PDA) was employed for the polyphenol and flavonoid profiles. To assess quality, physical indexes were determined, including specific extinction at 232 and 270 nm with values of 1.97 ± 0.12 and 0.70 ± 0.03, respectively. The refractive index was determined to be 1.4695 ± 0.002, and the volatile matter value was 0.345
Children’s exposure to ground pollution has been studied across health, social, and educational sciences. These fields consistently suggest heightened developmental vulnerability to toxic substances, sensory disruption, and unsafe waste environments, yet the evidence remains scattered and the implications remain unclear. This narrative review synthesizes studies published between 2020 and 2025 on the effects of ground pollution on health and behavioral development throughout childhood. The primary objective is to assess recent evidence on exposure and developmental outcomes. A secondary objective examines studies identified outside the main inclusion criteria, which reveal emerging work on environmental education, pro-environmental behaviors, and policy-relevant interventions related to youth. The five-year window allows us to capture new empirical contributions, assess the pace of research production, and evaluate whether scholarly activity is keeping pace with evolving environmental conditions. Searches across CINAHL, ERIC, PsycINFO, PubMED, SCOPUS, and grey literature yielded 40 records. Six studies met criteria for the primary objective, and eight additional studies were retained for secondary analysis. There is consistent evidence that children living near landfills or hazardous waste sites face elevated risks of carcinogenic exposure, growth stunting, respiratory and skin diseases, neurodevelopmental impairment, and psychological distress. Child waste workers face health hazards and limited protective infrastructure. Emerging research suggests that home-based, school-based, and technology-based environmental education can foster pro-environmental knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors from early childhood onward. Ground pollution represents an overlooked but increasingly plausible environmental determinant of developmental psychopathologies. We highlight needs for improved exposure assessment, stronger waste management policies, and child-centered public health strategies.
This study investigates the hydrogeochemistry of nine selected springs in the upstream Nekor watershed (northern Morocco) in order to explore the possible influence of lithology, tectonic structures, and geomorphological setting on groundwater composition. Field parameters and major ions were measured during a single wet-season sampling campaign conducted in December 2023. Hydrogeochemical facies were interpreted using Piper and Wilcox diagrams, complemented by the rectangular geochemical diagrams. The sampled waters define three main groups: (i) Na–Cl to Na–SO₄ cold to hypothermal spring waters (21–31 °C, high TDS), suggesting relatively deeper circulation and interaction with evaporitic formations along the Nekor fault system; (ii) Ca–Mg–HCO₃ fresh waters with low electrical conductivity, consistent with relatively short residence times and recharge through karstified Lias carbonates under the sampled wet-season conditions; and (iii) mixed Ca–Mg–SO₄ waters indicating gypsum/anhydrite dissolution. The geochemical patterns identified by the rectangular diagrams help distinguish carbonate, evaporitic, and basement-related signatures, and suggest that mapped thrusts, Triassic evaporites, and dolomitic units influence groundwater circulation and spring-water chemistry in the studied upstream sector. Because the dataset comprises nine selected springs sampled during a single wet-season campaign, this study should be regarded as a baseline hydrogeochemical survey rather than a characterization of seasonal variability. The results provide a basis for future wet- and dry-season monitoring and more detailed hydrogeological investigations. First integrated hydrochemical dataset for upstream Nekor groundwater springs. Three end-members: Na–Cl/Na–SO4 thermal, Ca–Mg–HCO3 fresh, and Ca–Mg–SO4 mixed waters. Piper + Gibbs + IIRG jointly trace water–rock pathways and residence times. Triassic evaporites and Nekor fault splays exert first-order control on chemistry. Provides a baseline for seasonal monitoring and hydro-tectonic mapping in the Rif.
Male fertility is increasingly recognized as an important global health concern, with growing evidence indicating declining sperm quality and increasing infertility rates worldwide. A wide range of environmental stressors, including air pollution, excessive heat exposure, and chemical contaminants, along with lifestyle and nutritional factors, are believed to contribute to these reproductive alterations. This review examines emerging phytotherapeutic approaches aimed at supporting male reproductive health, with particular attention to plant-derived compounds exhibiting antioxidant and hormonal regulatory properties. Medicinal plants such as Tribulus terrestris, Lepidium meyenii (Maca), Trigonella foenum-graecum (Fenugreek), Ginkgo biloba, and Zingiber officinale (Ginger) are discussed for their potential effects on sperm quality, motility, and hormonal regulation. Available evidence from experimental and clinical studies suggests that these phytochemicals may help reduce oxidative stress, support endocrine balance, and improve spermatogenesis. Moreover, combining phytotherapeutic interventions with healthy lifestyle practices, including balanced nutrition and regular physical activity, may further support reproductive function. Despite promising findings, important limitations remain regarding extract standardization, variability in clinical evidence, and long-term safety. Future research should therefore prioritize standardized formulations, well-designed clinical trials, and deeper investigation of the molecular mechanisms underlying these therapeutic effects to strengthen the clinical application of phytotherapy in reproductive medicine. Environmental and lifestyle factors influencing male reproductive health and protective phytotherapeutic interventions
Since agricultural production is essential to ensuring food security, the purpose of this study is to assess the impact of climate disasters (ClmDis), agricultural technology (AgrTech), and energy use (EnUse) on agricultural productivity (AgrPro). A recently developed nonlinear (WQQR) technique is used in this study to ascertain the effects of crucial variables in the quantile forms. Additionally, to evaluate the direction of the relationship among the facets (WQQGC) is employed. The outcomes of the study indicated that AgrTech shocks have a positive impact on AgrPro in the short term. However, this effect diminishes through the medium and long term. Moreover, ClmDis shocks have a significant negative effect on AgrPro in the short-term due to extreme events associated with climate disasters, but their impact begins to weaken over time due to preventive measures implemented by farmers. Interestingly, EnUse shocks have a negative impact on AgrPro in the short and medium term due to rising energy costs, energy scarcity, and limited resources for energy, but it weakens in the long run, possibly due to the use of renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies. The findings offer insightful policy recommendations to the U.S. government, farmers, and stakeholders by providing evidence-based guidance for designing policies that promote sustainable agricultural productivity.
Increasing water scarcity in Egypt has emphasized interest in the reuse of marginal-quality water at the national policy level to promote unconventional water sources. Treated wastewater, from either secondary or tertiary treatment processes, represents one such source. Within this framework, agricultural drainage water represents a strategic reserve for meeting an increased freshwater demand. This study assesses how treated wastewater discharge affects agricultural drainage water quality and identifies opportunities for optimal reuse. It gives all stakeholders an overall situation and pre of the status quo. Using the HEC-RAS hydraulic and water quality model, the study focuses on the Eastern Delta region of Egypt and includes the El-Gabal El-Asfar, Belbeis, Qalyubia, and Bahr El-Baqar drains. The model compares current water quality with predicted improvements due to the integration of effluents from wastewater treatment plants. They have obtained the following results that indicate considerable improvement in water quality parameters: 31.7
Soil loss due to water erosion poses a significant threat to agricultural sustainability and food security, particularly across semi-arid Mediterranean regions. In Tunisia, this phenomenon is intensified by the interplay of soil properties and spatiotemporal dynamics of Land Use and Land Cover (LULC). Accurately assessing soil erosion through physically based, distributed, and continuous models is critical for effective land management. However, such assessments demand high-resolution, temporally dynamic input data, making manual parameterization both complex and time-consuming. This study aims to enhance the parameterization of the ANSWERS-2000 hydrological model by leveraging Google Earth Engine (GEE) for the automated extraction of key MODIS-derived input, including annual Land cover, phenological transition dates (green-up, maturity, senescence, and dormancy), land Surface Temperature, and solar radiation, over the M’richet El Anse catchment (1.65 km2, Siliana, Tunisia), spanning January 1, 2001, to August 31, 2002. GEE extracted inputs replaced traditionally estimated parameters for crop rotation scheduling and C-factor dynamics within ANSWERS-2000. Model performance was evaluated against observed sediment yield data from bathymetric surveys and hydrological records using statistical indicators, including the Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE) and coefficient of determination (R²). Results show that GEE enhanced model achieved an R² of 0,81 and an NSE of 0.72 outperforming simulation based on traditionally estimated parameters. Spatial mapping of annual soil loss revealed a highly heterogeneous erosion pattern across the catchment, with negative values indicating sediment detachment zone and positive values indicating deposition areas. These findings demonstrate that integrating GEE based remote sensing data extraction into physically and continuous based erosion modelling significantly improves input accuracy and model predictive performance, offering a scalable and reproductible approach for water erosion assessment in data scarce semi-arid environments.
This study investigated the antioxidant and anti-obesity activities of camel skin gelatin hydrolysates produced using Alcalase and Flavourzyme, as well as their liposome-encapsulated forms, in rats subjected to a high-fat-high-fructose diet (HFFD). Antioxidant activity was evaluated through DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assays. Male Wistar rats were fed either a standard diet, HFFD alone, HFFD supplemented with free or encapsulated hydrolysates (200 mg/kg BW), or HFFD with atorvastatin (20 mg/kg BW) for 12 weeks. Both hydrolysates exhibited strong antioxidant activity in vitro. Although encapsulation slightly reduced the immediate antioxidant activity measured in vitro, it improved peptide stability and bioavailability. In vivo, encapsulated hydrolysates and atorvastatin reduced body weight gain, organ enlargement, and adipocyte hypertrophy induced by the HFFD. They also improved glycemic control and lipid profile, and lowered atherogenic and coronary risk indices. In addition, encapsulated hydrolysates decreased malondialdehyde levels and enhanced antioxidant defenses by increasing superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione, and thiol group levels. Histological analyses confirmed the protective effects of encapsulated hydrolysates against HFFD-induced hepatic and renal alterations. These results underscore the antioxidant and anti-obesity potential of gelatin-derived hydrolysates and highlight their promise as nutraceutical candidates for the management of obesity and obesity-associated oxidative stress.
The agrimi (Capra aegagrus cretica), endemic to Crete, Greece, is threatened by illegal hunting and hybridization with domestic goats. Wildlife conservation cannot succeed without incorporating human dimensions into management plans. Therefore, we surveyed the attitudes and emotions of 301 Cretans toward the agrimi using face-to-face interviews. Most participants (64.1–98.3
Leishmaniasis remains a major public health concern, strongly influenced by environmental factors that promote vector proliferation and disease persistence in Iraq. In this context, the present study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical profile and the bioactive properties of aqueous (PWE) and ethanolic (PEE) fruit extracts of Phyllanthus emblica, including antioxidant, antibacterial, and antileishmanial activities assessed through in vitro and in vivo approaches. The RP-HPLC-DAD profiling of the PEE extract revealed a polyphenol-rich composition containing ascorbic acid and major phenolic compounds, including gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, syringic acid, and rutin. Both extracts exhibited marked antioxidant activities. In the DPPH assay, IC₅₀ values were 108.7 µg/mL for PWE and 102.05 µg/mL for PEE, while ABTS radical scavenging showed IC₅₀ values of 23.7 and 30.13 µg/mL, respectively. Both extracts also showed effective hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity. In addition, PWE and PEE exhibited antibacterial activity against the tested Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, with MIC values ranging from 6.25 to 12.5 µg/mL and predominantly bactericidal effects. Antileishmanial evaluation against Leishmania tropica promastigotes revealed a progressive reduction in parasite viability in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, with IC₅₀ values ranging from 25 to 30 µg/mL after 72 h of incubation. In vivo, extracts significantly reduced lesion size and improved skin histology, including re-epithelialization, reduced inflammatory cell infiltration, and restoration of dermal architecture. Overall, these findings highlight the multifunctional biological potential of P. emblica fruit extracts and support their potential as natural sources of bioactive compounds for the treatment of bacterial infections and cutaneous leishmaniasis. RP-HPLC revealed a phenolic-rich composition of Phyllanthus emblica extracts Extracts exhibited potent antioxidant and bactericidal activities Extracts inhibited Leishmania tropica in a dose and time-dependent manner In vivo treatment significantly reduced cutaneous leishmaniasis lesion size Treatment restored skin histology and reduced inflammatory tissue damage P. emblica is a promising natural candidate for cutaneous leishmaniasis therapy
Water, an essential and limited resource, faces increasing challenges of quality degradation and scarcity. To explore the feasibility of a "Closing the Water Loop " approach at FSBM (Faculty of Sciences Ben M’sick), a study was conducted to treat the campus wastewater using a conventional laboratory-scale activated sludge system. This work focuses on the application and evaluation of an established biological process under the specific conditions of a university campus. The study highlights the potential of integrating such systems into sustainable water management strategies in semi-arid environments. Previously acclimatized biomass was used, followed by a gradual acclimation phase in a pilot bioreactor, where a synthetic substrate was replaced by FSBM wastewater over a period of 162 days. Monitoring focused on critical indicators such as pH, dissolved oxygen, mixed liquor total suspended (MLTSS), and mixed liquor volatile suspended solids (MLVSS) throughout the process. Purification performance was measured with physicochemical and bacteriological indicators (Biochemical Oxygen Demand over 5 days (BOD₅), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), nitrate (NO₃⁻), nitrite (NO₂⁻), Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN), Total Phosphorus (TP), Total Coliforms (TC), Fecal Coliforms (FC)). During acclimatization, significant reductions in COD, BOD₅, Total Suspended Solids (TSS), TKN, TP, FC, and TC were achieved, reaching 90
Surface water pollution poses critical environmental challenges, impacting ecosystems and human health. A seasonal stream in Tunisia’s Cap-Bon peninsula, has experienced significant water quality degradation due to rapid urbanization and industrialization. Assessing its current pollution levels and identifying its main contamination sources are essential for the implementation of future effective management strategies. In the present work, between April 2016 and October 2022 water samples were collected along Wadi El-Bey River and analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), temperature, major anions and cations, chemical oxygen demand (COD), and total chromium concentrations. Multivariate statistical methods, multi-criteria methods and assessment risk quotients were applied to evaluate pollution sources and impacts. Results indicated severe contamination at various locations, with EC, COD, nitrates, ammonium, phosphates, chloride, and total chromium levels exceeding Tunisian wastewater discharge standards. Some studied samples show particularly high salinity and elevated organic and inorganic pollutant levels reflecting spatial variability. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Modified Failure Mode, Effects, and Criticality Analysis (MFMECA) analyses attributed the Wadi El-Bey pollution mainly to untreated industrial and municipal wastewater and agricultural runoff. Moreover, the RQ values confirm that chloride, EC, and total chromium are attributed to urban and industrial discharges, while COD and phosphates were linked to industrial and wastewater treatment plant effluents. These findings highlight the urgent need for targeted interventions and robust management strategies to mitigate the environmental and health risks associated with the watershed.
Freshwater constitutes a vital resource in arid regions like Morocco, where dam reservoirs play a crucial role in water supply. However, these environments face increasing climatic and anthropogenic pressures affecting their quality. To identify primary pollution sources and characterize the trophic state, a physicochemical characterization of the Hassar Dam (Casablanca, Morocco) was conducted between March 2024 and February 2025 across seven stations and one deep-water point (DP). Physicochemical parameters (water and air temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, mineralization parameters, BOD5, COD, nutrients, and Chl-a) were determined monthly on water samples collected in situ and analysed in the laboratory according to standard methods. Water quality was evaluated using the water Quality Index (WQI), Carlson’s Trophic State Index (TSI), and Moroccan water surface quality standards (MWSQS). Results indicate severely degraded water quality (WQI > 120; MWSQS) and advanced eutrophication (TSI > 90). The upstream section (S5–S7) exhibits marked hyper-eutrophication (Chl-a > 300 µg/L, pH > 9, supersaturated O2), linked to nutrient loading (P, N) from wastewater feeding the reservoir via the Hassar stream. Conversely, the downstream section (S1–S4 and DP) is characterized by pronounced organic enrichment (BOD5 > 30 mg/L, COD > 200 mg/L, NH4+ > 3 mg/L). This leads to significant oxygen depletion and constrains nitrification processes. Hydrological dynamics, including stagnation, rainfall runoff, and internal resuspension, exacerbate this degradation, exceeding the system’s self-purification capacity. These findings underscore the urgent need for an integrated management strategy to limit organic and nutrient enrichment, restoring ecological quality and preserving the reservoir’s socio-economic functions.
