Northeast Algeria Research Articles

Decomposition dynamics and Calliphoridae succession in forest and urban environments of Constantine (Northeast of Algeria): implications for forensic entomology

ABSTRACT Forensic entomology serves a vital role in criminal investigations, contributing to the determination of time of colonization (TOC), minimum post-mortem interval (minPMI), and other forensic evidence related to the decomposition process. This study aimed to identify Calliphoridae species attracted to carcasses in two distinct locations in Algeria and to understand their role in forensic investigations. Two sites in Constantine were selected: a forest in Jebel Ouahch and an urban area in Chaabat Erssas. Two dog carcasses, an adult and a puppy, were monitored for decomposition stages. The puppy carcass reached the dry stage faster than the adult carcass, with decomposition rates varying between sites. A total of 594 Calliphoridae flies were collected, including Calliphora vicina, Calliphora vomitoria, Calliphora subalpina, Lucilia sericata, Lucilia illustris, Lucilia silvarum, and Chrysomya albiceps. These species were present in both locations, with Ch. albiceps being most prevalent, especially on the puppy carcass. Initial blowfly colonization occurred within four hours, with L. sericata and Ch. albiceps particularly abundant. This study underscores the importance of accurate species identification and environmental reconstruction in improving the precision of forensic estimates. Continued research on species phenology and the impacts of climate change will further enhance the applicability of forensic entomology in Algeria.

Probabilistic and Deterministic Seismic Hazard Assessments for Northeast Algeria: Insights into the Damaging Impact of the August 7, 2020 (Mw 5.0) Mila Earthquake

Probabilistic and Deterministic Seismic Hazard Assessments for Northeast Algeria: Insights into the Damaging Impact of the August 7, 2020 (Mw 5.0) Mila Earthquake

Site response measurements and implications for soil deformation using geophysical and geotechnical characterization of Djen-Djen Port, Jijel, Northeast Algeria

Site response measurements and implications for soil deformation using geophysical and geotechnical characterization of Djen-Djen Port, Jijel, Northeast Algeria

Spider (Araneae: Araneomorphae) diversity in Annaba Province, Northeastern Algeria

Spiders, as predatory arthropods, play essential roles in ecosystem equilibrium and serve as bioindicators. To contribute to the understanding of spider diversity in northeast Algeria (Annaba province), a survey of spider fauna was conducted in both forest and urban sites over two consecutive years using the "hand collecting" method. A total of 879 adult spiders (681 females and 198 males) were identified, representing 25 families and 67 species. The Salticid Plexippus paykulli (Audouin, 1826) was the most abundant species, with 127 specimens collected. The most abundant families were Salticidae and Araneidae, with counts of 171 and 139 individuals, respectively. The Shannon-Weaver index varied from 2.17 to 3.68 bits across the different sites, while evenness values ranged from 0.60 to 0.75. This study significantly expanded the known spider species in Annaba province from 96 to 138.

Metals in honey, cow’s milk and eggs in North-East Algeria and health risk

ABSTRACT Metal contamination of foodstuffs is a major public health challenge of increasing concern. The present study aimed to determine lead, cadmium and mercury in honey, cow’s milk and poultry eggs collected from the North-Eastern region of Algeria and to evaluate the health risks associated with their regular consumption. To this aim 30 samples of each foodstuff were analysed using ICP-MS. Among the quantified heavy metals, Pb was found at the highest level in both honey (0.752 ± 0.16 µg g−1) and poultry egg (0.988 ± 0.19 µg g−1) in the region of Skikda. The highest values of Cd (0.798 ± 0.12 µg g−1) and Hg (0.097 ± 0.02 µg g−1) were found in poultry eggs collected from the same region. For infants the Hazard Index was well above 1 in honey samples from all three locations, in cow’s milk collected from Mila and Skikda and in poultry eggs collected from Skikda.

Paucispecific invertebrate associations in the Coniacian (Upper Cretaceous) Essen Formation (Tébessa Mountains, northeast Algeria)

The Coniacian strata of the Tébessa Mountains in northern Algeria are predominantly marly facies that have received few studies. The present study is the first one to be carried out at Djebel Essen (west of Tébessa) to reveal the paleoenvironmental setting. The macrofossil taxa identified herein include fifteen bivalve species, three gastropods, and one cephalopod species, in addition to four irregular echinoid species. Quantitative analysis of these macrofossils indicates the occurrence of three benthic Coniacian macrofaunal associations, which include: 1) Agelasina plenodonta, 2) Cucullaea, and 3) Oscillopha-Plicatula. Both Agelasina plenodonta and Cucullaea associations are dominated by infauna. However, Cucullaea Association contains only suspension-feeders, where deposit-feeders are completely absent, suggesting oligotrophic conditions, that might have resulted in the lowest diversity level. In contrast, epifaunal taxa dominated the Oscillopha-Plicatula association. All the three associations are paucispecific. This low diversity of the Coniacian associations at study area and in other North African countries, can be attributed to the retreat of the sea and the shrinking of shallower habitats’ area. Probably, these associations lived within restricted marginal marine environments. The absence of any potential indicator of the middle-upper Coniacian anoxic event (OAE-3) agrees with the case in nearby sections and confirms a restricted extent of this event. The occurrence of many taxa of either regional or cosmopolitan affinity suggests episodic connection with the Tethyan Ocean.

Exploring hydrological and meteorological drought trends in Northeast Algeria: implications for water resource management

Exploring hydrological and meteorological drought trends in Northeast Algeria: implications for water resource management

Histopathological and immunohistochemical investigation of mammary tumors in female cats in Northeast Algeria

Cancer is a leading cause of feline mortality globally. This study focuses on delineating mammary gland tumor prevalence and anatomopathological characteristics in cats from northeastern Algeria. Encompassing the period from January 2021 to March 2022, the research included 50 cats from Constantine and Annaba provinces, revealing an overall 20% feline mammary tumors (FMT) prevalence. Siamese cats exhibited a higher rate compared to crossbred cats, with a mean age of positively diagnosed cats at 9±0.3 years. Histopathological classification identified 20% of tumors as malignant, specifically squamous cell carcinoma, cribriform carcinoma, and comedocarcinoma. In conclusion, further epidemiological investigations are essential to understand the risk factors in the initiation and progression of these health issues. In contrast to canine species, FMTs are less diverse, predominantly simple malignant tumors. Benign FMTs are infrequent, and the existence of complex and mixed tumors in felines remains unclear. This study selected three FMT types for immunohistochemical analyses, revealing unusual histological characteristics. A set of three malignant tumors exhibited an epithelial/myoepithelial population, with consistent myoepithelial immunohistochemical signatures. All Grade I malignant tumors resulted in subjects surviving one-year post-diagnosis. Morphologically, we propose categorizing them as feline ductal/canalicular adenoma/carcinoma and feline intracanalicular papillary adenoma/carcinoma, respectively. These findings contribute novel insights to FMT classification and are valuable for prognostic studies.

Prevalence and histopathological analysis of hytadid cysts in sheep and cattle slaughtered in Batna, Northeast Algeria

Prevalence and histopathological analysis of hytadid cysts in sheep and cattle slaughtered in Batna, Northeast Algeria

Applying the water quality indices and geographic information system approach to assessing the suitability of groundwater quality for drinking and irrigation purposes in the semi-arid region of Tebessa-Ain Chabro, Northeastern Algeria

Assessing the groundwater quality is important for the efficient exploitation of water resources in semi-arid areas. The study area in northeast Algeria mostly depends on groundwater as its main source of water, and the quality of groundwater is becoming important due to the increasing need for freshwater. The hydrochemical characteristics and water quality of groundwater in the Tebessa-Ain Chabro were assessed using water quality indices, geochemical modeling, and multivariate statistical approaches. The study discovered that the groundwater samples could be classified into four distinct water groups using hierarchical cluster analysis in Q mode (HCA) based on their electrical conductivity. We identified three forms of water: mixed (Ca2+–Mg2+–Cl−), Na+–K+–HCO3−, and Ca2+–Cl−. According to the water quality assessment, only 38% of the samples were deemed suitable for human consumption, while 34% were categorized as poor water, 10% as extremely poor, and 17% as unsafe for drinking. The irrigation water quality index identified four classifications: low, moderate, high, and severe restriction, with corresponding percentages of 31%, 31%, 7%, and 31%. The nitrate pollution index (NPI) showed that 48% of samples fell into the moderate pollution class. Human activity, such as sewage infiltration and waste disposal in open areas, was the cause of this nitrate contamination. The saturation index values showed that groundwater was less saturated in halite and sylvite and more saturated in aragonite, calcite, dolomite, anhydrite, gypsum, and hydroxyapatite. The Tebessa region’s groundwater’s hydrochemical properties and water quality have been assessed using multivariate statistical techniques, geochemical modeling, and water quality indexes. The study’s conclusions can provide a foundation for upcoming research evaluating the region’s groundwater quality.

The Effect of Age on Survival Is Similar in Males and Females of an Aquatic Insect Species

Age is a critical intrinsic factor that influences the probability of survival of organisms on Earth. In many animals, the lifestyles and habitat occupancy of males and females are so different that the effect of age could be sex-dependent. To reveal such patterns in wild animal populations, we here use a natural population of the Mediterranean demoiselle Calopteryx haemorrhoidalis Vander Linden (Calopterygidae: Zygoptera) in Northeast Algeria to analyze the influence of age and sex on survival probability using daily capture–mark–recapture. We used stepwise model selection on Cormack–Jolly–Seber models that explain recapture and survival probability, including age and sex as covariates. We marked a total of 214 adults throughout the study period (41 days). The sex ratio did not deviate from unity. Recapture probability depended on sex and time, with a slightly higher recapture probability in males (0.30 [95% CI: 0.27–0.35]) than females (0.26 [0.22–0.30]). The survival probability was slightly higher in females (0.89 [0.86–0.91]) than males (0.86 [0.82–0.88]). The best model for the survival probability included an additive effect of sex and age, indicating that the survival probability of both sexes declined with age. Interestingly, the lifespan of some individuals reached 119–130 days, which is surprisingly long compared to other temperate damselflies.

Hydrogeochemical processes controlling surface water quality for irrigation in a Mediterranean wetland ecosystem, Northeast Algeria.

Fetzara Lake, considered one of the most important wetlands in northeastern Algeria, was designated a Ramsar site in 2002. The waters in its watershed are affected by salinity, which influences their suitability for irrigation. To identify the factors influencing the quality of these surface waters, geochemical and statistical analyses were carried out on the basis of the results of chemical analyses of 51 samples collected, during two monitoring campaigns, from all the tributaries in the watershed. The findings show the dominance of three hydrochemical facies over the two campaigns: Na-Cl facies (55.17% and 22.73%) characterizes the waters water from Fetzara Lake outlet (drainage channel and wadi Meboudja), in relation to the influx of saliferous elements due to water evaporation in the lake. Ca-Mg-Cl (27.59% and 40.91%) and Ca-Mg-HCO3 (13.79%. and 13.79%) facies characterize the waters of the remaining tributaries, reflecting the dissolution of carbonate formations and the alteration of the Edough metamorphic basement. Multivariate statistical analysis, using principal component analysis (PCA), shows three water types: highly mineralized (EC > 3000µS/cm), moderately mineralized (1000 < EC < 3000µS/cm), and weakly mineralized (EC < 1000µS/cm). Evaporation and silicate weathering are the main mechanisms controlling water mineralization according to the different bivariate plots. Furthermore, cation exchange indices (CAI-I and CAI-II) reveal that these reactions involve the adsorption of Na+ and K+ onto clay minerals, as well as the simultaneous release of Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions. Finally, the various quality indices (SAR, %Na, RSC and KR) revealed that the water in 36% of tributaries is unsuitable for irrigation. These findings will provide important information on surface water quality in the study area, particularly for irrigation purposes, and will contribute to the thoughtful and sustainable management of this resource.

Study of the Age and Growth by Scalimetry of Pagellus erythrinus (Sparidae, Linnaeus, 1758) along the El-Kala Coast (North East Algeria)

Study of the Age and Growth by Scalimetry of Pagellus erythrinus (Sparidae, Linnaeus, 1758) along the El-Kala Coast (North East Algeria)

Hydrochemical characterization and evaluation of irrigation water quality using indexing approaches, multivariate analysis, and GIS techniques in K'sob Valley, Algeria

Irrigation plays a vital role in addressing increasing need for food production and promoting economic advancement. To meet the demands for food supply and economic progress, it is essential to underscore the significance of assessing water quality in dry regions. The current study was carried out to evaluate and predict the suitability of water quality for agricultural use in the K'sob valley in the M'sila region (Northeast Algeria). A combination of irrigation water quality indices (IWQIs), Geographic Information System (GIS) analysis and multivariate statistical methods were used for this purpose. Several physicochemical parameters, such as temperature (T°), hydrogen ion concentration (pH), electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), turbidity (Turb), chemical oxygen demand (COD), Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, HCO3−, Cl−, SO42−, NO3−, NO2−, NH4+, PO4− and SiO22+ were all measured from 40 samples collected at ten surface water locations during four seasons. The concentrations of the main cation and anion were shown as follows: Na+>Ca2+> K+ > Mg2+, and SO42− > HCO3− > Cl− > NO3− indicating mixed Na-Cl-K or Na-SO4 water facies. Significant seasonal variation for each parameter (T, pH, Turbidity, Salinity, COD, NH4+, Cl−, SO4−, and NO2−) was reported (p < 0.05). Additionally, a significant spatial variation (p < 0.05) was observed among different stations for the parameters: TDS, EC, Ca2+, Na+, HCO3−, SO4−, NO3−, and PO43− (p < 0.05). The irrigation water quality index (IWQI), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), sodium percentage (Na%), Kelly index (KI), and permeability index (PI) had values varying between 28.1 and 56.8, 5.65 and 12.45, 75 and 87, 2.61 and 6.54 and 83, and 97, respectively, and a significant seasonal effect was recorded. According to the Wilcox diagram, 70% of samples were unsuitable for irrigation, while 30% of samples were questionable. The IWQI map revealed that 50% of the samples fell within the very poor category for irrigation, while 20% and 30% of the samples were inside the poor and unsuitable categories, respectively. The principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) of K'SobValley water revealed three different categories of water based on elemental composition and seasonal variations. The results obtained in this study can be valuable for surface water management. Furthermore, the developed methodology can serve as a useful tool for identifying critical hydrogeochemical components in arid and semi-arid environments related to surface water.

Assessment of groundwater vulnerability in a semi-arid basin: a comparative study of DRASTIC and SI methods (case study of Boulefreis Wadi watershed—northeast Algeria)

Assessment of groundwater vulnerability in a semi-arid basin: a comparative study of DRASTIC and SI methods (case study of Boulefreis Wadi watershed—northeast Algeria)

The impact of double skin facades on thermal comfort in public buildings in Constantine, Algeria

In recent years, and in order to obtain energy-efficient buildings, double-skin facades have been used by builders as an alternative to reduce energy consumption, mainly in public buildings. In Algeria, double skin facades have become very popular and widely used especially for their aesthetic value. In this work, we show the role of the DSF to optimize the thermal comfort in public buildings and the contribution of the types of building materials in the optimization. For this, we studied three types of public buildings (of a cultural nature) in Constantine, a city in the North-East of Algeria, characterized by a semi-arid climate. All of these buildings had double skin façade and were designed and built differently in terms of construction technique and choice of construction materials. This research is focused on the comparative study of the (03) three public buildings and their respective temperature status, carried out by in-situ measurements (indoor and outdoor) in two extreme periods (under-heating period in winter, and overheating period in summer) during the day. The results of this work show that the DSF improves thermal comfort by increasing the difference in temperature between the interior and the exterior, up to 10°C in winter and up to 24°C in summer, and that the building materials constituting the DSF and the orientation influence its thermal performance.

Spatial and seasonal assessment of surface water quality for domestic use in a semi-arid area of the Upper Kebir Sub-basin, NE Algeria

ABSTRACT The present study was conducted out in the Upper Kebir Sub-basin [North East (NE) Algeria] aiming to evaluate the status and spatial–seasonal variability of water quality for domestic purposes using hydrogeochemical parameters and water quality indices. Surface water samples were collected from selected 27 sites, in the period 2020–2021 during both the wet and dry seasons and were analysed for 22 parameters. The findings were compared with standards and the water quality indices were calculated. The analysis revealed that the basin was mainly polluted and showed significant seasonal and spatial variations in water quality, considerably influenced by climatic conditions (surface runoff) and human activities (urban sewage and agricultural activities). The results reveal significant spatio-temporal fluctuations and highlight areas likely to be affected by anthropogenic activities.

RETRACTED: A semi-arid climate's use of exploratory data analysis (EDA) as a reliable non-parametric method for geochemical mapping

In this study, exploratory data analysis (EDA) methods, specifically boxplots, were employed to examine the composition of stream sediments in the Collo area of Northeast Algeria. The region's diverse lithological formations, interactions between permanent and temporary watercourses, intermittent flash floods, rugged topography, and fluctuating climatic conditions contribute significantly to data variability. Utilizing the boxplot's capabilities, our analytical approach successfully identified outliers, recorded the actual distribution of data, and determined skewness without the need for prior data processing, often required in conventional statistical studies. The boxplot proved to be an effective tool, offering insights into the geographical distribution of elemental concentrations, including iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), and lead (Pb). Geochemical mapping, driven by a robust class selection mechanism developed from the boxplot, revealed strong geographical correlations. A notable northeastern anomaly, characterized by elevated concentrations of Pb, Zn, Cu, and As, aligned with known base-metal sulfide and arsenopyrite mineralization sites. Additionally, outlier data for Cr indicated proximity to a plagioclase-lherzolite intrusion and known chromite deposits. The geographical distribution of iron, corresponding with known magnetite and hematite resources, was effectively highlighted using robust class selection based on boxplot analysis. This comprehensive investigation underscores the value of EDA methods in identifying mineralization trends amid the complex variability of the Collo area.

Assessment of surface Water Quality for Drinking and Irrigation Purposes for Two Dams in the Semi-Arid Region of Northeast Algeria

&lt;p&gt;The surface water quality of Timgad and Yabous dams in the semi-arid region of northeast Algeria was evaluated using physicochemical data collected monthly from May 2023 to April 2024. Parameters including temperature (T), pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), chloride (Cl⁻), sulfate (SO₄²⁻), bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻), nitrate (NO₃⁻), sodium (Na⁺), potassium (K⁺), calcium (Ca²⁺), and magnesium (Mg²⁺) were analyzed to assess suitability for drinking and irrigation purposes. For drinking purposes, the Water Quality Index (WQI) and CCME-WQI were employed. Results showed permissible WQI values for Timgad Dam throughout the year, with Yabous Dam exhibiting good quality consistently. However, CCME-WQI classified Timgad Dam as marginal and Yabous Dam as fair annually, indicating a need for caution, particularly for Timgad Dam. For irrigation purposes, various indices including Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR), Sodium Percentage (NA%), Residual Sodium Carbonate (RSC), Permeability Index (PI), Potential Salinity (PS), Kelly’s Ratio (KR), Residual Sodium Bicarbonate (RSBC), and Magnesium Hazard (MH) were utilized. While both dams generally demonstrated suitable classes for irrigation, Timgad Dam exhibited unsuitability due to elevated Potential Salinity values, attributed to high chloride and sulfate concentrations that probably come from anthropogenic activities and natural processes, and MH values were unsuitable for both dams throughout the year.&lt;/p&gt;

Zooplankton Diversity at Lake Oubeira, a Wetland at the National Park of El Kala NPEK (North-east Algeria)

Zooplankton Diversity at Lake Oubeira, a Wetland at the National Park of El Kala NPEK (North-east Algeria)