Al Hoceima Research Articles

Navigating push factors for emigration in turbulent water: the protestors of the Rif Hirak

ABSTRACT What happens when actors in social movements (SMs) fail to achieve their goals? Written against the general tendency in current scholarship, this article examines the case of the actors in the Rif Hirak activism, which emerged in northern Morocco following the tragic death of a fishmonger in the port of the city of Al Hoceima, to probe the impact of collective action on actors in SMs. To achieve this purpose, this article is twofold: First, it examines the link between repression and emigration. Second, based on online interview data gathered from a small sample of Hirak activists (n = 13), the article argues that, as the Hirak waned; the Rif activists resorted to emigration as a means to express political discontent and alternatively resist government repression. This demonstrates that a combination of factors intersect to justify protesters’ decision to emigrate. These intersecting factors include: (a) the threat of arrest and torture, (b) family pressure, (c) distrust in the state, (d) frustration with the lack of economic opportunities in the Rif, and (e) disappointment at the ability of the movement to bring about change.

Ethnobotanical knowledge of plant species of the North-East of Morocco, with three provinces as a case study: Al Hoceima, Nador, and Jerada.

This study focuses on taxa found in the Northeastern part of Morocco and cited in the book “Al Jam’ li-Mufradat al-Adwiya wa’l-Aghdiya (The Book of Simple Drugs) by Ibn Al Baytar. The main objective of this study is to determine whether the taxa on our list are recognized by the populations in the three provinces of Northeastern Morocco, as well as to collect information about their traditional uses (medicinal or non-medicinal), their modes of preparation and administration, the plant parts used. All the data have been collected through conducting an open-ended, semi-structured interviews with randomly selected individuals. The informant consensus factor (FIC) was calculated to identify the level of agreement among informants regarding the use of medicinal plants for specific disease groups. During these ethnobotanical surveys, 1,177 persons were interviewed. We were able to record a total of 241 taxa belonging to 66 families with 1,264 uses mentioned in the three provinces. The results obtained confront us with the idea that there is a decline of autochthonous knowledge. They reveal that 32.12% of the local population considers itself ignorant of the uses of plants to cure illness, and that 66.78% prefer modern medicine despite possessing some knowledge of traditional medicinal plants. However, 790 medicinal uses recorded were classified according to the WHO’s international Classification of diseases (ICPC-2, International Classification of Primary Care), and 474 other uses were recorded, along with the transcription of new vernacular names for 107 taxa. This confirms the importance of ethnobotanical studies as it plays an important role in preserving the reservoir of indigenous knowledge from being lost over time.

ASSESSMENT OF THE SEVERITY OF METEOROLOGICAL DROUGHT IN THE REGION OF AL HOCEIMA, MOROCCO, USING PRECIPITATION TRENDS AND THE SPI

The meteorological drought is a devastating phenomenon with far reaching social and economic effects. The study of drought is important for the sustainable management of water resources which are becoming depleted. This study looks at drought in Al Hoceima province of northern Morocco, using analysis of precipitation trends and the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) with a simple linear regression followed by an assessment of severity. Meteorological information from five stations in the Al Hoceima region from 1975-2016 were used. According to the results, the 80s are the most affected by the drought. The occasional examination of precipitation has shown that trends in all seasons, precipitation series are expanding. More than 74% of the observation years considered experienced a severe meteorological drought. The southern part of the province has been relatively less dry compared to the central and northern. The maximum severity of the drought was seven consecutive years recorded at the Al Hoceima station, at 74% from October 1978 to November 1985. This drought trend requires intervention to minimize the impact as the earth continues to experience climate change.

Comparative analysis of nutritional value and antioxidant activity in sweet and bitter almonds

In this study, four cultivars of almonds including bitter and sweet almonds from the northern regions of Morocco have been studied in terms of chemical composition, bioactive content, and antioxidant activity. Our research revealed that almonds are rich in minerals, and they displayed low levels of primary oxidation by-products and excellent stability. The fatty acid composition was dominated by oleic and linoleic acids, with slight variations between regions and almond cultivars. The analyses of unsaponifiable fraction revealed that the sterol component of almond oil was mainly composed by β-sitosterol and Δ-5-avenosterol (with regional differences), meanwhile α-tocopherol was the predominant among tocopherols. Furthermore, a significant presence of phenolic compounds was observed, particularly in Al Hoceima Beldi sweet almonds, with a gallic acid equivalent of 47.15 mg GAE/g in methanol extract and a total tocopherol content of 558.53 mg/kg. These results highlighted the strong antioxidant potential of Al Hoceima Beldi sweet almond oil, which showed good antioxidant activity for 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) with an IC50 value of 63.47 μg/mL and a high concentration of samples for 2,2′-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) (19.48 mg TE/g extract). In conclusion, the research supports the cultivation and consumption of these sweet almond cultivars in recognition of their significant contribution to human well-being. Bitter almonds have medicinal benefits but are toxic and unsafe for consumption.

Enhancing remineralization in seawater desalination: Optimizing reagent injection for improved water quality at AL HOCEIMA plant

The water quality produced by reverse osmosis is aggressive and highly demineralized, making it unsuitable for direct use and consumption as a source of drinking water. For this reason, the remineralization stage plays a crucial role in the treatment of desalinated water, and its improvement will be necessary to solve the problem of the aggressiveness of the water treated at the AL HOCEIMA seawater desalination plant. This improvement involves injecting three reagents into the limewater saturator, to obtain lime water that ensures the turbidity of the treated water is less than or equal to 1NTU, TAC, equal to 8°F. These reagents are polyelectrolyte, ferric chloride, and sodium silicate. The results show that adding polyelectrolyte and ferric chloride reduces turbidity to an acceptable level for the plant. However, it should be noted that ferric chloride has significant effects on other treated water parameters. These findings underscore the importance of optimizing remineralization processes to meet water quality standards effectively.

Appraising seawater intrusion in the Moroccan Ghiss-Nekor coastal aquifer: Hydrochemical analysis coupled with GIS-based overlay approach

Seawater intrusion (SWI) into coastal aquifers poses a significant environmental problem, and identifying an effective method to assess its extent is challenging. This study introduces a method for accurately delineating the extent of SWI in the Ghiss-Nekor aquifer, using a dual approach of hydrogeochemical analyses and geospatial technologies. We used several geochemical markers, including four ionic ratios (Cl-/HCO3-, SO42-/Cl-, Na+/Cl-, and Mg2+/[Mg2++Ca2+]) along with two SWI indices (GQIswi and SMI). These markers were interpolated and subsequently overlaid using GIS-based overlay analysis, enabling us to generate an accurate map pinpointing areas affected by SWI. The study reveals that SWI affects roughly 20 % of the investigated region, with 70 % of these cases found within 2 kilometers of the coastline. The detection of saline water as far as 5 kilometers inland, as explained by the aquifer’s geological model, points to SWI emanating from the Souani area, infiltrating through coarse sand and gravel located above the impermeable deep clay-marly strata. These outcomes validate our hydrogeochemical method and offer essential data about SWI’s scope. Such insights are indispensable for policymakers in the Al Hoceima area to forge effective groundwater management strategies in response to climate change-induced challenges like diminishing water resources from reduced rainfall.

Landslide susceptibility mapping using GIS-based logistic regression: The city Al Hoceima and its suburbs (Morocco) case study

Landslide susceptibility mapping using GIS-based logistic regression: The city Al Hoceima and its suburbs (Morocco) case study

Seasonal assessment of groundwater quality in the Al Hoceima region, northern Morocco: Physicochemical parameters and fecal contamination indicators

AbstractThis study focuses on assessing the seasonal variation in groundwater quality within the Al‐Hoceima region, specifically examining physicochemical parameters and bacteriological indicators of water fecal contamination. The sampling campaign took place during the wet and dry seasons of 2019 and 2021. In situ measurements were conducted on 37 groundwater samples to determine the physicochemical parameters, while bacteriological analyses were performed using Escherichia coli (E. coli) as a fecal contamination indicator. The findings demonstrate significant variations in physicochemical parameters across seasons and reveal fecal contamination of the groundwater, predominantly indicated by increased levels of E. coli during wet periods. Possible contributing factors include water surface runoff and percolation processes. Additionally, the result showed a high concentration of E. coli expected 240 CFU/100 mL. Pollution was higher in the dry season than in the wet season. These results underscore the poor quality of the water in the Al Hoceima region, necessitating treatment before consumption.

Analysis of the effectiveness of combining inorganic coagulants with chitosan and bentonite in the treatment of raw water

The production of drinking water often leads to the creation of a high residual concentration of aluminum when mineral salts are used. This concentration must be carefully monitored and controlled. A study was carried out at a drinking water production facility situated in Al Hoceima, Northern Morocco.Throughout this investigation, the treated water from the plant underwent comparative testing, evaluating the effectiveness of chitosan as a flocculant and bentonite as an adjuvant with inorganic coagulants (aluminum sulfate and ferric chloride). The objective was to reduce the residual aluminum concentration in the water after treatment while minimizing the use of inorganic coagulant. Coagulation-flocculation tests, employing a jar test, optimized coagulant dosage while enhancing turbidity and oxidability removal rates.The coagulation-flocculation tests showed that the combination of aluminum sulfate with 10 mg/L of chitosan and 140 mg/L of bentonite, proved to be significantly more effective. Compared to traditional treatment methods using aluminum sulfate alone, this combination reduced the residual aluminum concentration by 38.88%. The optimal parameters were as follows: aluminum sulfate dose of 10 mg/L, a pH of 7.83, an aluminum concentration of <0.07 mg/L, and a turbidity removal efficiency reaching 95.94% and oxidability removal of 42.70%.

Improving Reliability in Al Hoceima Seawater Desalination Plant by Failure Modes, Effects, and Criticality Analysis Model

Improving Reliability in Al Hoceima Seawater Desalination Plant by Failure Modes, Effects, and Criticality Analysis Model

Ethnobotanical investigation of medicinal and aromatic plants used in the traditional treatment of COVID-19 in the rural commune of Bni Hadifa, province of Al Hoceima (Central Rif, Northern Morocco)

This ethnobotanical investigation was conducted in the rural commune of Bni Hadifa belonging to the Al Hoceima province (North of Morocco), to inventory the principal medicinal plants traditionally used to treat Covid-19. Ethnobotanical information was recorded from 84 inhabitants aged over 18 years in the different communes of the study area, using an ethnobotanical survey based on a questionnaire and semistructured interviews. Data were examined by surveying the relative citation frequency (RFC) and family importance value (FIV). The obtained results permitted the inventory of 40 aromatic and medicinal plants (MAPs) species owned by 20 families, the most important of which by their number of species were: Lamiaceae (12 species), Apiaceae (5 species), Asteraceae (3 species), and two species for each of Amaryllidaceae, Myrtaceae, and Rutaceae. Furthermore, the following species: Allium sativum, Thymus glandulosus, Lavandula dentata L, Citrus limon L, Eucalyptus globulus labill, Artemisia herba-alba, and Marrubium vulgare L were the most frequently cited by the RFC index. Leaves were found to be the common plant organ used to treat Covid-19, while decoction was the most frequent preparation mode. This study also showed that over 90% of the respondents proved the efficacy of the plants used against Covid-19. However, most of the users of these plants did not respect the administered doses and were unaware of the toxicity and lethal effects that could be caused by these plants when taking high doses. The results of this survey demonstrate that the plants used to combat Covid-19 may constitute a promising database for future research in the extraction and chemical analysis of potentially effective biomolecules against this virus.

Elasmobranch Bycatch in a Bottom Trawl Fishery at Al Hoceima Port in Morocco (Mediterranean Sea)

Elasmobranch Bycatch in a Bottom Trawl Fishery at Al Hoceima Port in Morocco (Mediterranean Sea)

Multifractal temporal analysis of seismicity of the Trans-Alboran shear zone

This study provides a temporal analysis of the seismicity occurring before three significant energetic earthquakes recorded in the Al Hoceima, Morocco, area: earthquakes in 1994 (Mw 6.0), 2004 (Mw 6.4), and 2016 (Mw 6.3). The analysis is based on the multifractal seismicity characteristics in the Trans-Alboran shear zone. For the computation of the multifractal spectrum f(α)-α, two measurements were considered, the temporal distribution of earthquakes and the temporal distribution of energy released by the earthquakes. In addition, the quantities D1 (entropy), D+∞ (dimension of the large measurements), R (α0-αmax) and L (αmin-α0), from the multifractal spectrum, were also defined. The obtained results prove that maximum values in the fractal dimensions D1 and D+∞ appear just before the occurrence of the largest earthquakes in the multifractal spectrum computed from the earthquake-released energy. This particular trend, which is connected to the maximum values, is also noticeable before the occurrence of seismicity, which is less energetic for earthquakes with magnitudes above Mw 4.5, and may be evidence that the dynamic and geometrical properties of seismicity are associated.

Identification and quantification of microplastics in surface water of a southwestern Mediterranean Bay (Al Hoceima, Morocco)

In this study, we evaluated the pollution in Al Hoceima Bay (Southwestern Mediterranean, Morocco) by microplastics. Nine stations were investigated in 2019, 2020, and 2021, using the Manta net and the microplastics were identified and quantified with Raman Spectroscopy. The obtained results showed that fibers, fragments, pellets, and films were the predominant types of microplastics. The dominant size of microplastics ranged from 0.15 to5 mm while 0.3–0.5 mm was the most prevalent with 46.97 %. Seven colours counting white and blue as dominant items were recorded. The abundance of microplastics was 1–15 items/m3, with an average of 4.70 ± 4.50 items/m3. Four polymers dominated by Polyethylene (67.4 %), Polypropylene (23.2 %), Polystyrene (7.1 %), and Polyethylene Terephthalates (2.3 %) were identified. The spatial distribution of microplastics was variable. The abundance of microplastics was not related to the distance separating potential sources from the sampled stations. Our study provided the initial data on microplastics and their distribution along the Mediterranean coasts of Morocco, recommended for future investigations of marine pollution in the Mediterranean basin.

Impact of interactions between common bottlenose dolphins and purse-seiners in the Moroccan Mediterranean region: case study in the Al Hoceima fishing grounds

This study examines the effect of common bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus on the purse-seine fishery for small pelagic fishes in the Mediterranean Sea and the economic consequences thereof. The investigation focused on the fleet registered at the port of Al Hoceima, Morocco, and used information collected from on-board observations and a semi-structured questionnaire with fishermen and ship-owners. A total of 121 dolphins were captured as bycatch during 48 fishing trips, with a mortality rate of 0.23 dolphins per fishing trip. In terms of damage to the fishing gear, the number of observed holes varied between 28 and 230 per net per incident. Though some tears were large, most were <35 cm in height. The cost of repairing the holes in the nets caused by these interactions was estimated at US$179.52 per mending event. The level of interaction between common bottlenose dolphins and the purse-seine fishery targeting small pelagic fishes is a challenge for both fishery management and dolphin conservation.

Study of Seasonal Trends in Ocean Characteristics and Acidification in Al Hoceima Bay (Central Rif, Morocco)

The Al Hoceima,bay as a vital marine ecosystem, faces the challenge of ocean acidification, a major consequence of climate change. This study analyzes the variation of three key oceanic parameters - Sea Surface Temperature (SST), seawater pH, and Dissolved Inorganic Carbon (DIC) - over a 12-year period, from 2010 to 2021, utilizing an advanced statistical approach. The results reveal distinct seasonal trends and specific noteworthy years. Ocean acidification may pose a threat to the marine biodiversity of the region. This analysis is crucial for comprehending and mitigating the impacts of climate change on the Bay of Al Hoceima.

Urban planning characterization based on earthquake parameters for development: Case of the city of Al Hoceima, Morocco

This article presents an analysis of the earthquake in Al Hoceima City through the combination of land use and seismic hazards. This study is based on a probabilistic analysis of the seismic hazard performed following an attenuation to predict the maximum ground acceleration at each square kilometer. The land use of the area was estimated using GIS tools with the Gaussian maximum likelihood integrated supervised analysis method on remote sensing data processed from Landsat images 8, and the distribution of the values of PGA (Peak Ground Acceleration) in Al Hoceima. The numerical values ranging from this latter are around between 0.268g and 0.275g within the city, The maximum values indicate that the acceleration towards the north is approaching the seismic source of the Alboran Sea, which is regarded as a principal source generating several seismic events. The main global objective of this paper is to assess seismic hazard risk by combining seismic hazards (PGA) and land use maps, is to identify the most susceptible areas, especially those that have had expanding populations.

Natural riches of Al Hoceima: Inventory of plants with medicinal and aromatic properties

This study on the Al Hoceima Province emphasizes its rich botanical diversity and significant ethnobotanical heritage. It catalogs 490 species, 108 of which are identified for medicinal and aromatic uses, including notable genera like Lavandula, Thymus, and Allium. The study highlights the presence of endemic species, illustrating the region’s unique ecological value and the community’s traditional practices in utilizing flora for health and culinary purposes. This research underscores the importance of conserving Al Hoceima’s natural and cultural treasures to enhance appreciation for its role in local health and well-being.

Phytochemical, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties of Tetraclinis articulata (Vahl) Masters extracts from Al Hoceima province

Tetraclinis articulata (Vahl) Masters (TA), a member of the Cupressaceae family, is frequently used in traditional medicine to treat various health problems in Al Hoceima Province. Our study aimed to determine the content of polyphenols and flavonoids, and to evaluate the biological antioxidant activities using DPPH and FRAP tests. At the same time, we assessed the anti-inflammatory activity of various extracts of TA from Al Hoceima, using the BSA method for each of the extracts studied. The results reveal that ethyl acetate extracts (28.11 mg EAG/g ES), followed by ethanolic extracts (22.42 mg EAG/g ES), show higher quantities than the other extracts. Regarding flavonoids, ethyl acetate extract (90 mg EQ/g ES) and ethanolic extracts (64 mg EQ/g ES) showed the highest concentrations. For antioxidant activity, ethyl acetate and ethanolic extracts showed significant activity, while for anti-inflammatory activity, ethyl acetate and hexanolic extracts showed more marked activity than ethanolic and dichloromethanic extracts. This study reveals that Tetraclinis articulata leaf extracts are an effective antioxidant and natural anti-inflammatory agent. The results indicate the efficacy of TA leafs extracts from the province of Al Hoceima.

Mathematical modeling for assessing the seismic response of buildings in Al Hoceima

The purpose of this paper is to apply structural dynamics principles to conduct a comprehensive mathematical analysis of how buildings respond to earthquakes, with a particular focus on the dynamic behavior of a reinforced concrete structure in the city of Al Hoceima, located in the north of Morocco, which is subjected to frequent seismic activity. Considering various parameters such as building configurations, materials, soil characteristics, and seismic conditions, we will build a mathematical model for response of structures to earthquakes and conduct numerical experiments using ETABS software on a typical building in this region with a G+2 house elevation.