El Hajeb Research Articles

Evidence of Signatures for Recognition of Hydrocarbon Microseepage in El Hajeb Oilfield, Eastern Tunisia

Microbial prospecting technique was applied in El Hajeb oilfield, Tunisia for potential hydrocarbon resource exploration by examining the anomalous abundance of hydrocarbon oxidizing bacteria. The method depends on the seepage of light gaseous hydrocarbons such as C1 – C5 from the petroleum pools to the shallow surface giving the reasonable conditions to the development of highly specialized bacterial population. A total of 51 soil samples were collected from 1.5 m depth. Bacterial counts for n-propane utilizing bacteria ranged between nil and 2.44 × 105 cfu/gm. The light gaseous hydrocarbons analysis showed that their concentrations were 102, 55, 41, 20, 21, 19, 10 and 141 ppb for C1, C2, C3, iC4, nC4, iC5, nC5 and ΣC2+, respectively. The gas concentration maps showed the presence of dynamic hydrocarbons micro-seepage from petroleum systems. The integrated geomicrobial and adsorbed soil gas results demonstrated that the anomalous hydrocarbon zones spread in all territory which could presumably help to evaluate highpotentialareas. In conclusion, our study confirms that the use of microbial data and adsorbed gas analyses of soil samples is a low cost tool for hydrocarbon exploration. This technique has been confirmed and can be applied successfully in frontier basins.

Adsorption and Desorption Behavior of Herbicide Mefenpyr-diethyl in the Agricultural Soils of Morocco

The present study was conducted in order to investigate the adsorption and desorption behavior of Mefenpyr-diethyl (MFD) using the batch equilibration technique in four soils, with different ranges of organic matter content, from different regions of Morocco orders of Benimellal (Soil 1), Settat (Soil 2), Sidi Bettach (Soil 3) and EL Hajeb (Soil 4). The adsorption isotherm models Langmuir, linear and Freundlich were used to compare the adsorption capacity of the soils. The results indicated that the Freundlich equation provided the best fit for all adsorption data. The values of KF and Kd ranged from 4.45 to 15.9 and 4.30 to 18.30 L.kg-1 , respectively. The calculated total percentage of desorption values from the Soil 1, Soil 2, Soil 3 and Soil 4 after the four desorption process were 59 %; 55,6 %; 37,5 % and 52,5%, respectively. Highest adsorption and desorption were observed in soil 1, and the lowest was in soil 3. According to the adsorption and desorption results, organic matter and clay seemed to be the most important factors influencing the adsorption capacity of MFD.

Study of the impact of the wild dump leachates of the region of El Hajeb (Morocco) on the physicochemical quality of the adjacent water table

The main objective of this work is to establish a first state of the situation of the groundwater quality in the region of El Hajeb (Morocco) which houses the wild municipal landfill. Within the framework of a first sampling campaign, groundwater samples were then collected from 43 groundwater points during the May 2015 until January 2017. Analyses using standardized methods were based on physicochemical parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity, iodide, dissolved oxygen, oxidizability to permanganate….The results highlighted the existence of organic pollution, due to the presence of the wild discharge, septic tanks and pit latrines revealed by the concentration in oxidizability to KMnO4, which exceeded the Moroccan standards set at 5 mg/L.Pollution by Chlorides in some areas of the aquifer was also revealed, with high chloride levels exceeding 380 mg/L and was confirmed by high conductivity values (3700 μS/cm). If a pollution of agricultural origin is evoked, one cannot neglect the effect of the practice of the time modification technique on the concentration of some major ions. These first observations, have allowed us to confirm the extent of leachate plume of the wild landfill to groundwater, so the decision-makers and the persons in charge are being solicited to intervene to protect the water table.

Integrated geo-microbial and trace metal anomalies for recognition of hydrocarbon microseepage in petroliferous regions: case of El Hajeb oilfield in the South East of Tunisia

In this work we attempt to identify the geomicrobial fingerprints alongside with trace metals anomalies, and to explore whether the geomicrobial signatures are correlated with trace metals in El Hajeb oilfield in Tunisia. 51 soil samples are collected in grid pattern of 1 × 1 km interval. After incubating soil samples with propane in mineral salt medium, we count the propane oxidizing bacteria abundance ranged from nil to 2.44 × 105 cfu/g of soil sample. It was found that the concentrations of trace elements are enormously increased when they are compared with the natural background concentrations of metals in soils.

Geographical, Geological and Hydrogeophysical Survey of the Causse of El Hajeb-Ifrane (Morocco)

In this work, we will present the main features of the regional environment of the El Hajeb-Ifrane Causse, namely the geographical, geological and hydrogeophysical contexts that prevail in their diversity between the Middle Atlasic Causse of El Hajeb -Ifrane and the plain of Saiss through the transition zone.The presentation of these contexts is synthetic and reveals the essential elements of knowledge related to the objective of this work. Numerous references, including the main research works inspired by Morocco's water resources and other doctoral thesis carried out in the same area, can be consulted for more details.

ASSESSMENT OF PHYSICOCHEMICAL QUALITY OF THE POLLUTING LOAD OF LEACHATES FROM THE WILD DUMP OF EL HAJEB CITY (MOROCCO)

The dump in the town of El Hajeb (Morocco) is devoid of a collection and treatment system of the generated brownish effluents known as leachates. In a permeable soil and of a water table circulating in shallow depth, these percolate, after their generation, accumulate at the bottom of the waste and can infiltrate through the ground to reach the underlying water table, thus causing its contamination. Leachate would require, therefore, a specific treatment before their rejection in the receiving environment. This study aims to make a physicochemical characterization of these leachates. To do this, we conducted a series of sampling, from May 2015 to January 2017. During this period, the physicochemical analysis revealed, on the one hand, that it is discharge juice in the acidogenesis phase, conveying a significant pollutant load rich in organic and inorganic matter (COD = 23597.5 ± 595.61 mgO2 L-1), in mineral salts (EC = 17.55 ± 0.72 mS cm-1) and in nutrient salts (TKN = 888.54 ± 13.53 mg-N L-1 and TP = 139.65 ± 48.89 mg-P L-1), concentrations exceed the values allowed by Moroccan and international standards, what makes these effluents toxic to the surrounding environment. By the present study, we incite decision-makers to manage well effectively the discharges taking into account the risks of the leachates generated.

Ethnobotanical survey, phytochemical study, and study of the antibacterial activity of Pimpinella anisum fruits from different cultural areas in Morocco

The aim of this study is the valorization of aniseeds (Pimpinella anisum L.) that are cultivated in the region of El Hajeb via three investigations: an ethnobotanical survey, a phytochemical study, and a study of the antibacterial activity of phenolic extracts and essential oils extracted from the aniseeds. Furthermore, a comparison of three samples of aniseeds cultivated in three different zones (Agourai, Sebt Jahjouh, and Ras Jerry) of the area of study was established. The ethnobotanical survey was performed with the help of a sampling plan using a structured and semi-structured questionnaire. 120 informants of the local population were targeted. Concerning the phytochemical study, a phytochemical screening was carried out after the extraction and fractionation of the nonvolatile and volatile (essential oil) compounds of aniseed powder. Two techniques were used for the extraction of phenolic compounds (maceration and Soxhlet). Finally, a phytochemical comparison of different samples brought from the areas of study was realized. Regarding the antibacterial activity of essential oil and phenolic extracts of aniseeds, three bacterial strains were used: Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella, and Escherichia coli; this activity was tested using disc diffusion method. Throughout the study, ethnobotanical survey showed that Pimpinella anisum is mainly used by informants as spice in the kitchen (46.1%). The use of the plant in traditional medicine is only in the second position (32.2%); it is essentially used for treating digestive disorders (38.4%). Phytochemical screening demonstrated that aniseeds contain catechins, tannins, flavones, mucilage, sterols, and triterpenes. While the same screening showed that the sample is free of alkaloids, anthocyanin, and saponosides. The extraction of phenolic compounds using the Soxhlet technique was more effective than using the maceration technique. The yield of essential oil extracted from aniseeds cultivated in Sebt Jahjouh was the highest (3.25%). Finally, the report on its antibacterial activity showed that the essential oil as well as the phenolic aniseed extracts did not have any effect on the three bacterial strains studied.

Human cystic echinococcosis in Morocco: Ultrasound screening in the Mid Atlas through an Italian-Moroccan partnership.

BackgroundCystic echinococcosis (CE) is a neglected parasitic zoonosis with considerable socioeconomic impact on affected pastoral communities. CE is endemic throughout the Mediterranean, including Morocco, where the Mid Atlas is the most prevalent area for both human and animal infection. The highest hospital annual incidence of human CE is recorded in the provinces of Ifrane and El Hajeb. However, hospital-based statistics likely underestimate the real prevalence of infection, as a proportion of cases never reach medical attention or official records.Methodology/Principal findingsIn 2012, a project on clinical management of CE in Morocco was launched with the aims of estimating the prevalence of human abdominal CE in selected rural communes of the above mentioned provinces using ultrasound (US) screening and training local physicians to implement US-based focused assessment and rational clinical management of CE according to the WHO-IWGE Expert Consensus. A total of 5367 people received abdominal US during four campaigns in April-May 2014. During the campaigns, 24 local general practitioners received >24 hours of hands-on training and 143 health education sessions were organized for local communities. We found an overall CE prevalence of 1.9%, with significantly higher values in the rural communes of Ifrane than El Hajeb (2.6% vs 1.3%; p<0.001). CE cysts were predominantly in inactive stage, especially in older age groups. However, active cysts were present also in adults, indicating acquisition of infection at all ages. Province of residence was the only risk factor consistently associated with CE infection.Conclusions/SignificanceOur results show a high prevalence and on-going, likely environmental transmission of CE in the investigated provinces of Morocco, supporting the implementation of control activities in the area by national health authorities and encouraging the acceptance and divulgation of diagnosis and treatment algorithms based on imaging for CE at both national and local level.

THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND THE ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTIES OF THE ESSENTIAL OIL EXTRACTED FROM THE LEAVES OF TEUCRIUM CAPITATUM L.

Objective: In the framework of the search for new biological molecules, an ethnobotanical study has been carried out in the region of El Hajeb in Morocco in the interest of will select the data ethnopharmacological on medicinal and aromatic plants and on the découveres new principles assets. On the basis of a questionnaire prepared, a survey was conducted of the local population where we find a close relation which exists between the plant species described in the said region and the different types of diseases affecting the human being; six plants have been chosen to evaluate the antifungal activity of essential oils against the bacterial strain (Staphylococcus aureus, and on two yeasts: Candida albicans and Candida glabrata, which are the most frequently identified in clinical specimens, a mold: Aspergillus niger, and 5 dermatophytes: Microsporum canis, Microsporum gypseum, Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, and Epidermophyton floccosum.Methods: The extraction of essential oils was carried out by steam distillation in a clevenger-type apparatus. The antimicrobial activity was determined by the disc diffusion method. The chromatographic analysis of HE five plants was performed with a gas chromatograph (GC) type Hewlett-Packard (6890) coupled to a mass spectrometer (HP5973).Results: The results show that the essential oil of Teucrium capitatum L. has a large antimicrobial activity vis-a-vis other plants. Therefore, an identification of their chemical composition is necessary to identify the active molecules based on the analysis GC-only and coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The essential oil of the plant of T. capitatum L. of the region of El Hajeb (Morocco) was extracted to the study its performance, its chemical composition, and its property antibacterial and antifungal. The average content in essential oil of the leaves of this species is approximately2% (wt.) of the total weight of dry matter. The chromatographic analysis showed the profiles, and the rates of the different components compared to the available standards, as function of the retention time by ascending order, four compounds were identified by GC and GC/MS as the main compounds of this oil: Endo-borneol (33%), naphthalene, 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8a-hexahydro-4,7-dimethyl-1-(1-methyl ethyl)-, (1s-cis)-(19.63%), bronyle acetate (15.56%), alpha-terpineol (11.96%), bicyclo[3.1.0]hexan-3-ol, 4-methyl-1-(1-methylethyl)-(10.94%) among other 21 compounds.Conclusion: This study allows, once again, the development of the exploitation of the essential oils in the areas, pharmaceutical and medicines and works the doors of the exploitation of these plants in the pharmaceutical market. Keywords: Teucrium capitatum L., Ethnobotanical study, Antifungal activity, Chromatography.

Energy Consumption in Onion and Potato Production within the Province of El Hajeb (Morocco): Towards Energy Use Efficiency in Commercialized Vegetable Production

&lt;p&gt;Energy use efficiency is a key requirement for sustainability in agricultural production, but often overlooked. The aim of this study was to quantify the amount and efficiency of energy consumed in the production of onions and potatoes in El Hajeb province of Morocco. These estimates are of significant importance in informing contemporary policy discourse related to energy subsidy reform in Morocco, and more specifically within an ongoing national strategy for ‘modernizing’ the agricultural sector under the ‘Green Morocco Plan’. Data were collected through the administration of a direct questionnaire with 60 farmers and analyzed using PLANETE. Our results indicate that total energy consumption in onion production is 107483 MJ ha&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt; with butane (79.5%) as the main source of direct energy. Chemical fertilizers (61.53%) and water for irrigation (30%) were main sources of indirect energy. Energy indices related to energy efficiency ratios, energy profitability and energy productivity were estimated at 0.78, -0.22 and 0.54 kg MJ&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt;, respectively. Total energy consumption in potato production was estimated at 74,270 MJ ha&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt;, with direct energy consumption of 28,521 MJ ha&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt; stemming from butane (70%) and diesel (19.14%) as primary sources. Indirect energy consumption was estimated at 45749 MJ ha&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt; and generated principally through the use of fertilizers (60%). Energy indices (efficiency, profitability and productivity) were estimated at 1.54, 0.54, and 0.45 kg MJ&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt;, respectively. GHG emissions were found to be 3.47 t CO&lt;sub&gt;2eq&lt;/sub&gt; ha&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt; in the production of onions and 3.63 t CO&lt;sub&gt;2eq&lt;/sub&gt; ha&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt; for potatoes. We find that within the study area, increases in the size of production plots are not necessarily consistent with increases in energy use efficiency.&lt;/p&gt;

Luminescence dating of Middle Pleistocene (MIS 7) marine shoreline deposits along the eastern coast of Tunisia: A comparison of K-feldspar and Na-feldspar IRSL ages

In the present study, we applied the IRSL50°C dating method to both K- and Na-feldspar coarse grains from interglacial coastal deposits in north-eastern Tunisia. We used the yellow IRSL50°C signal of Na-feldspars and the blue IRSL50°C signal of K-feldspars. The key-sites for this study are at El Hajeb (Sahel area) and Dar Oufa (Cap Bon Peninsula). These deposits belong to the “Douira Unit” which has previously been assigned to marine isotope stage (MIS) 7 on the basis of amino acid ratios and chronostratigraphic evidence.In order to assess the reliability of the IRSL50°C ages of the “Douira Unit”, we extended the IRSL dating technique to K- and Na-feldspars from two MIS 5 samples, with independent age control, collected within shallow-marine sands in the Sahel area and on the Jerba island (southern Tunisia).Two protocols of age correction for the observed fading in K- and Na-feldspars have been applied: (1) the Huntley and Lamothe (2001) fading correction and (2) the dose rate correction developed by Lamothe et al. (2003). The fading corrected IRSL ages of the “Douira Unit” and both MIS 5 control samples, measured on K- and Na-feldspars, are in good agreement with their expected ages.

Assessment of physicochemical quality of water from springs in the Bittit area (El Hajeb, Morocco)

Groundwater is a major source of water for drinking, agricultural, and industrial desires. The availability of water determines the location and activities of humans in an area and our growing population is placing great demands upon natural fresh water resources. However, they are sometimes exposed to various forms of pollution such as agricultural, industrial and residential. This work has an objective evaluation of physicochemical quality of water from springs in the region of Bittit, which is used in the supply of drinking water for a large population. The results obtained in this study show that the water studied has a conductivity that varies between 463 μs/cm and 734 μs/cm. Nitrate concentrations varied between 16.17 mg/l and 17.72 mg/l. Concentrations of major ions (Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , K + , Na + , SO4² - , ...) as well as the values of the parameters (pH, temperature, hardness, ...) do not exceed the Moroccan standards (NM 03.7.001, 2006) relating to drinking water.

Effects of long-term irrigation with treated wastewater on soil quality, soil-borne pathogens, and living organisms: case study of the vicinity of El Hajeb (Tunisia)

Medium (i.e. 15 years) and long-term (i.e. 20 years) impact of irrigation using secondary-treated municipal wastewater (TWW) was assessed on two agricultural soil samples, denoted by E and G, respectively, in the vicinity of El Hajeb region (Southern Tunisia). Soil pH, electrical conductivity particle size grading, potential risk of salinity, water holding capacity and chemical composition, as well as organic matter content, pathogenic microorganisms and heavy metal concentrations in the TWW-irrigated (E and G) and rainwater-irrigated (T) soils at various depths, were monitored and compared during a 5-year experiment. Our study showed that bacterial abundance is higher in sandy-clayey soil, which has an enhanced ability to retain moisture and nutrients. The high level of bacterial flora in TWW-irrigated soils was significantly (p < 0.05) correlated (r = ~0.5) with the high level of OM. Avoidance assays have been used to assess toxic effects generated by hazards in soils. The earthworms gradually avoided the soils from the surface (20 cm) to the depth (60 cm) of the G transect and then the E transect, preferring the T transect. The same behaviour was observed for springtails, but they seem to be less sensitive to the living conditions in transects G and E than the earthworms. The avoidance response test of Eisenia andrei was statistically correlated with soil layers at the sampling sites. However, the avoidance response test of Folsomia candida was positively correlated with silt-clay content (+0.744*) and was negatively correlated with sand content (-0.744*).

Risk assessment of heavy metal toxicity of soil irrigated with treated wastewater using heat shock proteins stress responses: case of El Hajeb, Sfax, Tunisia

Heavy metal contamination of soil resulting from treated wastewater irrigation can cause serious concerns resulting from consuming contaminated crops. Therefore, it is crucial to assess hazard related to wastewater reuse. In the present investigation, we suggest the use of biomarker approach as a new tool for risk assessment of wastewater reuse in irrigation as an improvement to the conventional detection of physicochemical accumulation in irrigated sites. A field study was conducted at two major sites irrigated with treated wastewater and comparisons were made with a control site. Different soil depths were considered to investigate the extent of heavy metal leaching, the estrogenic activity, and the biomarker response. Results have shown that a longer irrigation period (20 years) caused a slight decrease in soil metal levels when compared to the soil irrigated for 12 years. The highest levels of Cr, Co, Ni, Pb, and Zn were detected at 20 and 40 cm horizons in plots irrigated with wastewater for 12 years. The latter finding could be attributed to chemical leaching to deeper plots for longer irrigation period. Furthermore, the treated wastewater sample showed a high estrogenic activity while none of the soil samples could induce any estrogenic activity. Regarding the stress response, it was observed that the highest stress shown by the HSP47 promoter transfected cells was induced by a longer irrigation period. Finally, the treated wastewater and the irrigated soils exhibited an overexpression of HSP60 in comparison with reference soil following 1 h exposure. In conclusion, in vitro techniques can be efficiently used to assess potential hazard related to wastewater reuse.

Fire blight (Erwinia amylovora [Burrill] Winslow) in Morocco: importance, geographical distribution and characterization.

Fire blight, caused by Erwinia amylovora , was detected in Morocco in 2006 and has spread rapidly throughout the most important pome fruit-producing regions. Surveys were carried out in 2009 in the main pome fruit-growing areas in Morocco to evaluate the current situation of the disease in the country, particularly in the El Hajeb region, where important losses due to this pathogen were recorded. Samples showing symptoms associated with the disease were collected from affected apple ( Malus domestica ), pear ( Pyrus communis ) and quince ( Cydonia oblonga ) trees and processed for the isolation and purification of the causal agent. Other isolates collected in the period 2006–2008 were also included in this study. All the isolates were identified to genus and species levels using morphological, biochemical and serological tests. Confi rmation tests were carried out using classical PCR and Real-time PCR. Forty eight Moroccan isolates were confirmed to belong to E. amylovora. Fingerprinting methods (rep-PCR and fAFLP) showed a diversity of the isolates and resulted in grouping them in four separate subgroups. This study suggests that Moroccan isolates of E. amylovora have multiple geographical origins.

Study on the impact of wastewater irrigation on the quality of oils obtained from olives harvested by hand and from the ground and extracted at different times after the harvesting

Nowadays, lots of efforts are made in Tunisia for the exploitation of wastewater in agriculture in order to face a very elevated mobilization of resources in water (90%). At Sfax, a Governorate placed in the South of Tunisia, the annual rainfall rarely exceeds 200 mm, so the climate is fairly arid. The significant water deficit can be reduced with the reuse of treated wastewater (TWW). The Sfax wastewater originated from the municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) localized at 5 km in the south of Sfax, Tunisia. This WWTP is an aerated lagoon process receiving industrial wastewaters. Its treatment capacity is 24,000 m 3/day. Part of TWW is sent to the olive crops of El Hajeb, as part of a proposed wastewater use in agriculture. Already the wastewater is used to irrigate olive trees and intercrops such as cotton, oats and sorghum silage ( Charfi et al., 1999). The aim of the present work was to determine the impact of the irrigation utilizing wastewater on the quality of the oil. The oils analysed were extracted from olives hand-picked directly from the tree and from olives that have fallen under the trees. Moreover, a study on the olive storage has been made in order to evaluate in which way the collection of the fruit could influence the quality of the oil. The results obtained showed that: – Olive trees benefit from this contribution of water; – irrigation by wastewater has a significant effect in the fatty acid composition; – oils relative to olive trees irrigated with wastewaters are more sensible to the oxidization especially after olive storage; – oils coming from olive trees irrigated with wastewaters are richer in polyphenols; – oils extracted from fallen olives are of poor quality essentially after olives storage and when olive trees are irrigated by wastewater.