Algerian High Plateaus Research Articles

The potential of mixing model of wind speed distribution in Algerian High Plateaus

The evaluation of wind energy relies primarily on the probability density function PDF, which corresponds well with the wind speed data. Single PDFs are widely used in the assessment of wind. In contrast, homogeneous or heterogeneous mixed models are rarely used, especially in Algeria, where the bimodal wind speed distribution is expected. This research aims to investigate the potential of heterogeneous PDFs Generalized Extreme Value-Weibul and Normal-Extreme Value PDFs in assessing wind energy at three meteorological stations in the high plateau against the single widespread PDFs Weibull and GEV by analyzing five years of archived wind speed data. The estimation of mixed model parameters is obtained by applying the Expectation-Maximization algorithm, and the identification of the appropriate PDF is obtained by four goodness-of-fit (GOF) criteria and compared with the widespread single distributions. The results show that the mixed model surpasses widely the single model for all the GOF criteria used at the three selected sites. The proposed mixed model fits all the wind speed distributions related to unimodal and bimodal regimes.

Overview of the Diversity of Extremely Saline Soils from a Semi-Arid Region Using 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing: A Case Study of the Sebkhas in Algerian High Plateaus

Overview of the Diversity of Extremely Saline Soils from a Semi-Arid Region Using 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing: A Case Study of the Sebkhas in Algerian High Plateaus

The In vitro Evaluation of the Antimicrobial Activity of Quercus robur L. Methanolic and Aqueous Leaves’ Extracts, from the Algerian High Plateaus Against some Uropathogenic Microbial Strains

The medicinal value of the plants is due to their chemical components that bring a definite physiological action on the human body to prevent the diseases. In this work, we investigated the antimicrobial activity of leaves’ extracts of Quercus robur L., collected from the Algerian upper highlands, on ten bacterial strains and one fungal strain known to be pathogenic. First, we performed a qualitative phytochemical analysis, and second, antimicrobial activity tests performed by agar diffusion method (disc and well) with the determination of MIC by broth macro-dilution method. Given the results, it appears that obtained macerates of Quercus robur L. were rich in bioactive phytoconstituents such as alkaloids, anthraquinones, saponins, tannins, and other components. The yield of aqueous and methanolic macerates of leaves was 8.5 ± 1.41 and 22.4 ± 4.36%, respectively. The bacterial resistance was relatively important to several antibiotics, namely, ampicillin, amoxicillin + clavulanic acid for strains of Escherichia coli and Salmonella sp. However, Staphylococcus aureus strains were resistant to fusidic acid, penicillin, and oxacillin; while Enterococcus faecalis was resistant to fusidic acid, penicillin, oxacillin, and ticarcillin. The antibacterial activity of the macerates toward tested microbial strains showed that the aqueous and methanolic macerates of the leaves were proportional to the tested concentration and active not only against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria but also on the fungal species Candida albicans. The estimated MIC for Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, and Staphylococcus aureus was in the order of 10 mg/mL, which seems more effective than toward Salmonella sp., Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans which were in the order of 30 mg/mL. These preliminary results confirm that the part of the studied plant had a very good antimicrobial activity that was proportional to the serial concentrations of the tested extracts.

Groundwater sources assessment for sustainable supply through photovoltaic water pumping system, in M’zab valley, Ghardaia

The solar photovoltaic water pumping system seems to be the best suited technology to supply water for domestic usage, in the remote desert areas. The Algerian high plateaus and Sahara are the main candidate regions. However, the system performance optimality is generally affected by different dynamic variability parameters, in particular solar radiation and ambient temperature. Nevertheless, other parameters have an important impact on the system performances; as the provided/required water volumes, spatial characteristics of the area, the kind and type of crops, as well as the techniques adopted in collecting and conducting water. In this view, a survey study on spatial area of the M’Zab valley, Ghardaia, has been conducted, including the assessment of the groundwater source behavior. The goal was to select the appropriate wells suitable for standalone PVWPS installations. Accordingly, a field investigation has been carried out throughout different locations of the M’Zab valley to determine the hydraulic structure of the water table and the spatial characteristics distribution of the region. According to the statistical data, obtained, previously, it has been averred that the valley involves abundant water table within static average between 100 and 150 m, on upstream and between 50 and 80 m on downstream. The phreatic water table is reached between 20 and 50 m, as medium averages, whereas, the Ben-Isguen, Bounoura and AL-Atteuf zones are considered to be the suitable for PVWPS installations.

Estimation of power generation capacities of a wind farms installed in windy sites in Algerian high plateaus

The data of the wind data (speed and direction) measured over one period 10 consecutive years, of four sites located in the Algerian high plateaus, were used to determine the regional atlases of wind speed and the power densities of the areas. The results allowed the estimate of the optimal production of wind farm composed by four wind turbine adding up a rated capacity of 8 MW. The Weibull parameters, the mean wind speed and the power density according to different values of heights and roughness factors were calculated for the considered sites. The effects on the annual electrical output production in function of the RIX factor that determines the best site of the wind farm in the area and the wake effects were analyzed. The results show that the two regions, Tiaret and M'Sila are more profitable and are adapted for wind farms installation comparing with the others.

Study of climatic drought in Algerian high plateaus using standardized precipitation index and observations from moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer

The high plateaus of Algeria is a critical region to policymakers in terms of social, economic, and infrastructure development. The main goal of the present work was to monitor the climatic drought and its impact on vegetation health across the Algerian high plateaus using remote sensing techniques. Vegetation health index (VHI) showed a clear drought in the western region of the study area. The results show practically three periods of drought were evident: October to December 2006, November to December 2009, and December 2012. Agreeable correlations among the obtained results using standard precipitation index for 3 months (SPI-3) and other satellite indicators such as temperature vegetation dryness index (TVDI) and VHI were obtained. TVDI and VHI agreed well with the ground-based observations from SPI-3; thus, these may serve as key and easily accessible indicators of drought. The research shows motivating results that decision makers can use to take timely corrective measures to minimize the reduction in agricultural production in drought prone areas.

WITHDRAWN: Study of Climatic Drought in Algerian High Plateaus using Standardized Precipitation Index and Observations from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer

WITHDRAWN: Study of Climatic Drought in Algerian High Plateaus using Standardized Precipitation Index and Observations from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer

English

Lygeum spartum represents a natural barrier in the Algerian high plateaus against the advance of sand and the desertification. The plant is of interest due to its tolerance to environmental stress. There are two levels of ploidy in this species; the diploid cytotype 2n = 16 which is confined in the locality of Ain Benkhllil and the polyploid cytotype 2n = 40 which thrives in semi-arid climates and has a large ecologic plasticity. The The aim of this study was the evaluation of the phenolic compounds and flavonoids in both cytotypes. The antioxidant activity was also measured with results showing differences in the level of phenolic compounds; thus, these compounds could serve as biomarkers to distinguish the two cytotypes. Key words: Lygeum spartum L, total phenols, flavonoids, 2,2-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH), lipid peroxidation.

Municipal Waste Management in the Algerian High Plateaus

Algeria is facing a constant increase in waste production nationwide. This increase is not only a consequence of population growth, but also a result of ever changing production and consumption modes coupled with an evolution in living standards. Algerian political authorities have chosen Technical Landfill Centres as a competitive and safe technique if it is well-conceived by the rule book, regarding other options of waste management.Our research work aims at determining the optimum conditions of urban solid waste landfill. The study presented in this paper is based on an expertise performed in a Technical Landfill Centre (TLC) which is owned by two local councils and situated between two towns in the territorial division of Naama. Input waste has been analysed physically and chemically as well as leachates (BOD5, COD, heavy metals ..). Elements characterisation was performed according to the MODECOM protocol (a protocol of waste characterisation adopted by the French Environment and Energy Management Agency ADEME) which distinguishes 3 fractions distributed according to their sizes: big >100mm, medium: 100 -20mm, fine < 20mm, and 13 categories (organic matter, paper, cardboard ..).Sampling was realised directly from waste disposals entering the TLC of Touadjer with respect of different areas of waste collection. These sampling operations were repeated for three areas of collection belonging to two local councils at the rate of 4 campaigns in two years (2012-2103) spread over the four seasons.

Proteins polymorphism of some populations of Lygeum spartum L. in Algeria

Lygeum spartum L. represent a natural barrier in the Algerian high plateaus against the advances of sand and turning into a desert. This species has two levels of ploA¯dy (diploA¯d cytotype 2n = 16 and polyploidy cytotype 2n = 40). Protein profile of several populations of this species have inter and intra specific variability. The polymorphic bands observed in the intermediate and slow zone have a molecular weight (MW) of 25.6, 30.1, 31.2, 37.3, 40.4, 69.3 and 82.7 kDa. This polymorphism exists not only between the polyploids samples (well 1 to 7) and diploids (well 8 and 9), but also inside the polyploids populations. These results showed that modifications of the electrophoretic profile of Lygeum spartum were concomitant with climatic and geographical external factors.