North Of Tunisia Research Articles

Repowering of a wind energy production field - case study of SIDI-DAOUD field in northeastern Tunisia

Every energy production system, whether conventional or renewable, reaches its final limits after a period of operation predefined by the feasibility study for such a project. Then we'll have to think about renewal to maintain a certain level of reliability and availability as a factor of operational safety. This project seeks of studying the repowering of two 1st phases of wind farm in Sidi-Daoued in north Tunisia, which have reached the end of their life (20 years); it aims to identify three new configurations and to simulate different scenarios to determine which types of turbines are the most optimal for a repowering project. The three types of wind turbine selected were Vestas 4200kw, Nordex Acciona and Siemens-Gamesa, each with a power output of 4500kw. These are the best-known types of wind turbine in the world, and the heights of the hubs are very similar, at around 105m, so that a comparison can be made between the three models. Therefore, the average speeds are around 7.8 m/s2.The final number of turbines to be installed on site is around 13 turbines for the three scenarios, but the result favours the second scenario with Siemens-GAMESA wind turbines, where the annual production can exceed 210.1 GWH with a capacity factor equal to 41 percent.

Environmental and climatic significance of the Pliocene-Pleistocene calcretes in North Africa

The North African calcretes formed during the Plio-Pleistocene are a prominent and stratigraphically significant palaeoclimatic marker. We studied the calcrete along a north–south transect in Tunisia that crosses the climatic boundaries between the latitudes 33° and 37° N to elucidate the palaeoenvironmental and climatic significance of the calcrete for the Plio-Pleistocene. Macroscopic, petrographic, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Cathodoluminescence (CL) observations obtained in the field and from thin sections of the non-powdery horizons of all sites allowed to identify 4 facies: Pisolithic (limestones with clast(s) coated by laminae), laminar (limestones with a succession of laminae), massive brecciated (brecciated limestones), and groundwater facies (limestones with no biogenic features). Notably, soil-forming processes were evident at all sites except for those situated further south, which exhibited characteristics indicative of a groundwater environment. The comparison with modern analogues suggests for our study area the climate was similar to modern central Spain (Hot-summer Mediterranean climate Csa) in central Tunisia which is, in turn, similar to the modern climate in North Tunisia. The climate was characterized by strong seasonal contrast: higher winter rainfall than today followed by long dry hot summers modified by a North-South gradient. This gradient was the result of the interplay between westerly winter winds and the orographic effect of the Atlas Mountains confirming the North Atlantic origin of precipitations. We conclude that during the late Pliocene to early Pleistocene, the climate in Northern Africa was more humid than today, with enhanced winter rainfall at all study sites probably at the same time of the establishment of Saharan humid periods. These humid phases may have been long enough, spanning more than 10.000 years, to reduce recharged groundwater salinity and, subsequently, form thick calcareous soil.

Lexicalisation of discourse strategies in the national anthems of selected African states

ABSTRACT A national anthem is an official song of a nation. Extant studies have examined national anthems from philosophical, thematic, and historical points of view with insufficient attention paid to the lexicalisation of discourse strategies in the anthems of African states. This study, therefore, investigates how lexical choices and discourse strategies are deployed in the construction of national identities and ideologies. Halliday’s Systemic Functional Linguistics and Wodak’s Discourse-Historical Approach were adopted as framework. Data were purposively selected from ideology-laden anthems, four from each of the five African sub-regions namely: Central (Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, and Equatorial Guinea); East (Djibouti, Eritrea, Rwanda, and Uganda); North (Egypt, Libya, Sudan, and Tunisia); Southern (Botswana, Namibia, Malawi, and Zimbabwe); and West (Ghana, Niger, Nigeria, and Gambia). The study discovers that lexicalisation of discourse strategies of construction, transformation, perpetuation, and representation reflects socio-cultural, political, and cultural experiences of African states.

Alternative Cover Crops and Soil Management Practices Modified the Macronutrients, Enzymes Activities, and Soil Microbial Diversity of Rainfed Olive Orchards (cv. Chetoui) under Mediterranean Conditions in Tunisia

In Tunisia, the olive is the most cultivated fruit crop in the northern region, where annual rainfall exceeds 400 mm. This olive-growing area is characterized by a wide coverage of marginal soil with a high slope gradient. Therefore, the inclusion of cover crops in olive orchards is a sustainable solution to enhance ecosystem productivity, improve soil fertility, and increase oil yields. This study aimed to investigate the short-term (two cropping seasons in 2021 and 2022) effects of different seeded cover crops and soil management practices on soil characteristics, as well as soil health by measuring soil enzyme activities and microbial diversity. Six cover crop types consisting of wheat, vetch, oat, fenugreek, a vetch–oat mixture, and spontaneous vegetation were tested in association with rainfed olive trees (cv. Chetoui) in the north of Tunisia and compared to a control (which was tilled periodically three times per year without intercropping). During the first cropping season, cover crops were cut as animal feed, and only residues were incorporated into the soil. However, during the second year, all cover crop biomass was incorporated into the soil. The results indicated that the dry biomass production and carbon uptake were significantly higher in grass species (wheat and oat). All of the cover crops, including the spontaneous vegetation, significantly increased soil organic matter (SOM) and macronutrient levels, mainly, available phosphorus. On the other hand, the highest level of soil nitrogen was found in the fenugreek cover crop. The soil enzyme activities in the cover crops of wheat, oat, and the vetch–oat mix were higher than those in the control. Together with the increase in soil organic matter (SOM), this demonstrates a significant improvement in soil health with cover crops. Furthermore, this study proves that the utilization of carbon sources was dominated by amides, amines, and amino acids in the fenugreek plot, while it was dominated by polymers and carboxylic acids in the case of the wheat and oat. Overall, this study demonstrates that seeding cover crops is a sustainable management practice not only to integrate livestock but also to improve soil health in semiarid olive orchards.

Environmental microplastic interact with heavy metal in polluted soil from mine site in the North of Tunisia: Effects on heavy metal accumulation, growth, photosynthetic activities, and biochemical responses of alfalfa plants (Medicago saliva L.)

As emerging persistent pollutants, microplastic (MPs) pollution attracted increasing attention worldwide since it is posing several environmental concerns. MPs interact with heavy metals in soil and may provoke damages on soil properties and ultimately impaired plants and human health. The present study aims to evaluate alfalfa plants (Medicago sativa) response after exposure to heavy metal polluted soils from mine site in the North of Tunisia in presence of environmental microplastic. For that, soils were sampled from two sites of Jebel Ressass mine in addition to a control soil. Plants were exposed to the three soils in presence of two increasing rates of microplastics D1 (1 mg/kg of soil) and D2 (100 mg/kg of soil) for 60 days. After harvest, agronomic parameters, chlorophyll content as well as heavy metal accumulation in plants were analyzed. Furthermore, oxidative status was evaluated in terms of malondialdehyde accumulation (MDA), catalase (CAT) activities and glutathion-S-transferase (GST). Overall, our finding highlights that MPs disrupted agronomic parameters and the photosynthetic activities of alfalfa plants. Additionally, our results revealed that the presence of MPs in polluted soils cause an increase on heavy metal accumulation in alfalfa shoots. Biochemical analyses demonstrated that the combined exposure to MPs and heavy metal induced oxidative stress in alfalfa plants by increasing CAT activity and MDA accumulation. The present investigation highlights the ecological risks of microplastics in terrestrial environment.

Particulate Matter Pollution and Health Impacts in Six North African Countries

This paper addresses the issue of outdoor particulate matter pollution in six North African countries-Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Sudan, and Tunisia. Major particulate matter sources include various industries and transportation systems, dust storms, and sandstorms. It has been shown that there is a need to increase public awareness and participation and enhance capacities regarding ground-based monitoring of particulate matter, using satellite data, and assessing the health impacts of exposure to particulate matter. There is also a need for improved legislation and better governance regarding its implementation and enforcement. If possible, examples of potential impacts of particulate matter pollution on the Gross National Product (GNP) for various economic and health sectors will be reported. As outdoor particulate matter pollution is one of the major sources of loss to the GNP, air quality management needs to be strengthened.

Usability Evaluation of North African E-Government Services in the Context of Optimizing User Experience when Using Mobile Phones

E-governments are considered the primary gateway through which citizens can access services and benefit from the information provided by electronic platforms when needed. Although the situation in developed countries has shifted from electronic governments to local electronic services, many developing countries still encounter various challenges, such as ease of use and enhancing user experience. This study aims to help address the obstacles faced by North African countries, including Morocco and Tunisia, in the context of e-government usability. It evaluates the accessibility of these sites, addresses the issues involved in using them, and suggests solutions that could enhance user experience by improving ease of use. The limited previous research on this region makes this study even more relevant. Research-based web design and usability guidelines (RBWDUG), specifically the chapter on optimizing user experience, serve as the foundation of this research, facilitating the assessment of ease of use and user satisfaction. Converting this valuable tool into a questionnaire enabled the research to achieve valuable results through evaluation. The evaluation of ten websites in each country, with 100 participants involved in the assessment, reveals a common pitfall when it in improving user experience and ease of use. This issue impacts user satisfaction and the effectiveness of e-government services. An important relationship has been established between these usability issues and the effectiveness and efficiency of these services. The study emphasizes the vital connection between usability and e-government service efficiency while recommending improvements based on user feedback.

Coupling morphometric analysis and soil erosion modeling for the characterization of the geomorphological setting in the surrounding of the archaeological site of Chimtou (Central Medjerda Valley, Tunisia)

ABSTRACT This study focuses on the characterization of the geomorphological setting in the hinterland of the archaeological sites of Chimtou and Bordj Hellal located in the central Medjerda Valley, North Tunisia. Our approach integrates the algorithm Geomorphons for semi-automatic landform classification with the soil erosion model Unit Stream Power-based Erosion Deposition (USPED), providing information on the intensity and regional distribution of erosional and depositional processes. Data from geomorphological field mapping provide a database for a ground-truth of the semi-automatic landform classification derived by the algorithm Geomorphons and complemented the database for the creation of a detailed map of the geomorphology in the hinterland of Chimtou. In line with the delineation of the spatial distribution of erosional and depositional processes, the results deepen the understanding of the geomorphology and the sediment routing of this region.

Detection and genetic identification of Borrelia lusitaniae in questing Ixodes inopinatus tick from Tunisia

BackgroundUntil now, there has been limited information on the prevalence and the phylogeny of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in Ixodes ticks in Tunisia, particularly in Ixodes inopinatus. MethodsThe present study aimed to determine the prevalence and the phylogeny of B. burgdorferi s.l., in coexisted I. ricinus and I. inopinatus ticks collected from Northern Tunisia. One hundred questig ticks were collected during winter 2020 by tick-dragging method in Beja gouvernorate located in the north of Tunisia. Real-time PCR panel targeting B. burgdorferi s.l. 23S rRNA gene were performed. Positive DNA samples were subjected to conventional PCRs targeting 457 bp fragment of the Borrelia sp. flagellin (fla) gene using primers FlaF/FlaR. The identified Borrelia sp. isolate underwent partial sequence analysis to determine genospecies and evaluate their phylogenetic position. ResultsThe study revealed a prevalence rate of 28% (28/100) for B. burgdorferi sensu lato in the Ixodes ticks. The prevalence rates across tick species and genders did not show significant variations (p > 0.05). Interestingly, the study underlines the coexistence of I. inopinatus and I. ricinus sharing the same geographic areas in Northern Tunisia. Furthermore, DNA of B. lusitaniae was detected in I. inopinatus ticks for the first time in Tunisia. Revealed B. lusitaniae bacterium is similar to previously identified strains in Mediterranean region, but distinct from those isolated exclusively from countries of Eastern and Central Europe, such as Serbia, Romania, and Poland. This study highlights the prevalence of B. burgdorferi s.l. in I. ricinus/I. inopinatus ticks, and reveals B. lusitaniae in I. inopinatus ticks for the first time in Tunisia. ConclusionThese findings suggest the involvement of I. inopinatus as a potential vector of this pathogenic genospeciess in Tunisia. This may help understanding the ecology of Ixodes ticks, the natural infection and the transmission dynamics of Borrelia species in this country.

Deep geometry of Triassic evaporite bodies associated with the Bazina structure, North Tunisia: new insights from gravity modeling

Deep geometry of Triassic evaporite bodies associated with the Bazina structure, North Tunisia: new insights from gravity modeling

Insights on Juniperus phoenicea Essential Oil as Potential Anti-Proliferative, Anti-Tyrosinase, and Antioxidant Candidate.

In this study, the anti-cancer, anti-tyrosinase, and antioxidant activities of essential oils (EOs) of berries and leaves of Juniperus phoenicea grown wild in North of Tunisia were investigated. The EO yields from leaves and berries were 1.69% and 0.45%, respectively. GC-MS analysis revealed that α-pinene is the predominant component in both EOs (44.17 and 83.56%, respectively). Leaves essential oil presented high levels of β-phellandrene (18%) and camphene (15%). The EOs displayed cytotoxic effects against MCF-7 breast cancer cell, HT-29 colon cancer, and the normal cells H9C2 cardiomyoblasts. Leaves oil strongly inhibited colon cell line proliferation (IC50 of 38 µg/mL), while berries essential oil was more potent against breast cancerous cells MCF-7 (IC50 of 60 µg/mL). Interestingly, berries essential oil exhibited high ability to inhibit melanin synthesis by inhibiting enzyme mono and diphenolase activities. Overall, the results suggested that the two oils are significant sources of healthy natural chemicals.

Monitoring Seasonal Fluctuations in Saline Lakes of Tunisia Using Earth Observation Data Processed by GRASS GIS

This study documents the changes in the Land Use/Land Cover (LULC) in the region of saline lakes in north Tunisia, Sahara Desert. Remote sensing data are a valuable data source in monitoring LULC in lacustrine landscapes, because variations in the extent of lakes are visible from space and can be detected on the images. In this study, changes in LULC of the salt pans of Tunisia were evaluated using a series of 12 Landsat 8-9 Operational Land Imager (OLI) and Thermal Infrared (TIRS) images. The images were processed with the Geographic Resources Analysis Support System (GRASS) Geographic Information System (GIS) software. The study area included four salt lakes of north Tunisia in the two regions of the Gulf of Hammamet and Gulf of Gabès: (1) Sebkhet de Sidi el Hani (Sousse Governorate), (2) Sebkha de Moknine (Mahdia Governorate), (3) Sebkhet El Rharra and (4) Sebkhet en Noual (Sfax). A quantitative estimate of the areal extent analysed in this study is 182 km × 185 km for each Landsat scene in two study areas: Gulf of Hammamet and Gulf of Gabès. The images were analysed for the period 2017–2023 on months February, April and July for each year. Spatio-temporal changes in LULC and their climate–environmental driving forces were analysed. The results were interpreted and the highest changes were detected by accuracy assessment, computing the class separability matrices, evaluating the means and standard deviation for each band and plotting the reject probability maps. Multi-temporal changes in LULC classes are reported for each image. The results demonstrated that changes in salt lakes were determined for winter/spring/summer months as detected changes in water/land/salt/sand/vegetation areas. The accuracy of the classified images was evaluated using pixel rejection probability values, which were filtered out using the ‘r.mapcalc’ module of GRASS GIS. The confidence levels were computed and visualised with a series of maps along with the error matrix and measured convergence level of classified pixels. This paper contributes to the environmental monitoring of Tunisian landscapes and analysis of climate effects on LULC in landscapes of north Africa.

Performance of different magnetic and electromagnetic water treatment devices on soil and two tomato cultivars

The application of magnetic and Electromagnetic fields for irrigation water treatment is still an attractive and promising process for the alleviation of the adverse effects of salinity and the enhancement of crop production. Hence, a study was initiated to test the effectiveness of different commercial magnetic and electromagnetic water. treatment devices on soil and two Tunisian tomato crop cultivars, Senda and Dorra. For this purpose, a field experiment was conducted at the experimental Station of Cherfech, located in the north of Tunisia. A randomized complete design with three replicates was used and five magnetic, GMX (1.2 T), Magiko (1.6 T), Deltawater (1.4 T), and Magnolith (0.62T), and electromagnetic Aqua-4D (0.0043T) treatment devices were applied for the treatment of a moderate saline water (EC = 2.9 dS m–1). Results showed that different magnetic and electromagnetic treatments tended to reduce soil salinity and pH, improve crop growth, yield, and fruit caliber, but decline the total soluble solids (°Brix) and the titratable acidity of both tomato cultivars. The greatest Magnetic effects were shown for Senda cultivar with Aqua 4-D treatment, whereas the least effect was recorded for Dorra cultivar with Magiko treatment. Accordingly, the influence of magnetic and electromagnetic treatment of irrigation water on soil and tomatoes depends on the choice of tomato cultivar and increases with the following trends: Magiko < Deltawater < GMX < Magnolith < Aqua 4-D. Likewise, their influence depends on their field intensity, which increases in the trend of: 1.6 T < 1.4T < 1.2T < 0.62T < 0.0043T, suggesting that the performance of each device increases as magnetic field intensity decreases. This study highlights that an electromagnetic device (Aqua 4-D) with a weak field intensity (<0.5mT) could also have similar effects to that of a magnetic device (Magnolith).

Assessment of Water Quality Variations and Trophic State of the Joumine Reservoir (Tunisia) by Multivariate Analysis

North Tunisia’s Joumine reservoir provides water for drinking and agriculture irrigation purposes. Therefore, its water quality is crucial, especially with the recurrence of dry years in a global climate change context. This study aims to evaluate its environmental parameters, phytoplankton community structure, and trophic status. The data were newly analyzed using multivariate statistical methods and redundancy analysis (RDA) with the Trophic State Index (TSI) and Trophic State Index deviation (TSID). Monthly sampling occurred from May 2021 to June 2022 at eight stations. Water samples were collected to assess physical-chemical parameters and Chlorophyll-a, as well as to identify phytoplankton species. Three seasonal clusters of summer, autumn, and spring were identified. Water nutrient variations primarily resulted from point and non-point source contamination, along with natural processes. Carlson’s Trophic State Index (CTSI) indicates a eutrophic status for the Joumine reservoir. TSID indicated there was no algal turbidity in the reservoir. The study identified 25 phytoplankton taxa, with Chlorophyceae exhibiting high densities and diversities. RDA revealed that NO3−, NH4+, DO, pH, water flow, and water temperature were the most important environmental factors controlling phytoplankton structure in the Joumine reservoir. The outcomes of this study may provide helpful information to improve the management of the Joumine reservoir.

Between strategic neglect and geopolitical realities: Ukraine and North Africa in Light of Russian Aggression

ABSTRACT Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has moved the latter and its foreign policy into the limelight. Since Ukraine's independence in 1991, the scholarly literature has focused overwhelmingly on its path towards European integration and its relationship with NATO and Russia respectively. Systematic accounts of Ukrainian foreign policy and Ukraine’s relations with actors outside the post-Soviet, European and transatlantic context are, however, largely missing. This applies also to Ukraine’s relations with countries in North Africa, notably Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco. Geographically and culturally distant, and in the absence of reverberating historical legacies, successive Ukrainian governments have neglected the region while passively observing how Russia, particularly in recent years, has widened its regional influence. This profile sheds light on Ukraine’s relations with North Africa and offers an empirical contribution to the analysis of Ukraine’s evolving foreign policy in light of Russian military aggression since 2014. It argues that Ukraine needs to develop a more complex foreign policy that goes beyond EU and NATO membership. To gain full ownership over bilateral developments, in times of conflict and crisis, Ukraine has to adapt to geopolitical realities and attend to a wider range of countries, such as the ones in North Africa.

Eco-Physiological Behavior of Five Tunisian Olive Tree Cultivars under Drought Stress

Tunisia is known to be a country with poor water resources, and water scarcity is evident in certain regions. In the long term, this situation could worsen, given the increased risk of drought. The olive tree (Olea europaea L.) is one of the plants best adapted to this climate, and numerous studies have been carried out to assess the effects of water stress. The aim of this work was to study and compare the ecophysiological behavior of a main Tunisian olive cultivar (Chetoui) and four rare Tunisian olive cultivars (Chemchali, Besbessi, Sayali and Jarboui) under drought stress and to identify the main parameters while comparing the tolerance of the cultivars studied to this abiotic stress. One-year-old olive trees grown in pots in a greenhouse were subjected to four drought treatments (i.e., 15, 30, 45 and 60 days of drought stress) in comparison with control trees. The evaluation of the response of the olives to this induced stress was based on five parameters: relative water content (RWC), stomatal resistance (SR), photosystem PSII, maximal photochemical efficiency (FV/FM), performance index on absorption basis (PI), measured by the handy PEA, and chlorophyll index, measured by SPAD. The relative water content (RWC) of the five cultivars decreased with increasing drought stress. Jarboui showed lower RWC values than Chemchali, especially under severe drought stress. This result was confirmed by changes in fluorescence characteristics. FV/FM, PI and SPAD index decreased during the development of drought stress. These observations are discussed in relation to the strategies developed by the cultivars to grow under drought stress. The Principal Component Analysis allowed the parameter with the strongest loading factor, which is FV/FM, to be highlighted and the cultivars most tolerant to drought stress to be distinguished. These cultivars, Besbessi and Sayali in the north of Tunisia and Chemchali in the south, can present a possible alternative to replace the local or foreign cultivars most cultivated in the country, which are characterized by high water needs.

Hydrodynamic release of Pb, Zn, and Cd from impermeable tailings as deduced from physical parameters evolution and multivariate statistical analysis: case study of Jbel Ressas mine waste (North Tunisia)

Tailings are one of the largest pollutant sources in the world. The wind and water leaching were often considered the main distribution tool of their pollutants. However, the carbonate crust precipitation has negated the trace toxic element (TTE) release. To identify the release mode of Pb, Zn, and Cd from mine wastes, the hydrodynamic evolution of waste piles was considered. The macroscopic and microscopic observation, the grain sizes, cohesion particles, density, hydraulic conductivity, and Pb, Zn, and Cd concentrations performed from eight drill cores of the two waste dumps and the principal component and the hierarchical cluster analysis showed that the physical properties of waste piles closely controlled the TTE mobility and migration from the tailings. The obtained data also showed that the upper carbonate layers were first eroded by wind and rainfall. Then, the formation of an impermeable carbonate crust limited the Pb, Zn, and Cd releases. However, the hydrodynamic evolution of the underneath layers was different. As the high pile waste sediments' weight meaning the lithostatic pressure (Pl), the geostatic ratios (λ = Pf/Pl) were in DII and DIII dumps superior to 0.29 and 0.26, respectively. Therefore, the overpressured fluids increased the mineral dissolution, including the sulfides and carbonates of metals, and hydraulic fracturing that raised the percentages of the mobile TTE and migration indexes. By the secondary pore and fracture volumes, the polluted fluids were progressively channeled towards the underpressured marge (dumps edge) by repetitive (polyphase) fluid pulsations.

GIS-based multi-criteria decision-making techniques and analytical hierarchical process for delineation of groundwater potential.

The profound knowledge and management of groundwater resources is a prerequisite in order to ensure the sustainability of these resources. In this research, multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) and analytical hierarchical process (AHP) method based on GIS were used to determine the groundwater potential recharge model of the Mornag plain (coastal area in North Tunisia). Influential eight factors were used in the groundwater recharge modeling: lithology, land use/land cover, hydrogeomorphology, elevation, rainfall, drainage density, lineament density, and soil. The influence of each factor was examined by the weighted linear combination method. The results reveal a very high to high groundwater recharge potential in the order of 20% of the total area. The validation of results by the histogram method showed that 41% of the total area corresponds to the moderate to very high recharge potential classes. The groundwater recharge potential model (GIS-MCDM-AHP) is useful in better management and planning of groundwater resources and implementation of wells and hydraulic structures in arid and semi-arid areas.

Effect of fruits storage conditions on the yield and the quality of Pistacia lentiscus oil

&lt;p&gt;This study aims to determine the effect of fruit storage conditions on the yield and quality of &lt;em&gt;Pistacia lentiscus&lt;/em&gt; oil. Fruits were harvested in North Tunisia, and oil was extracted using the pressing method. Three storage conditions were tested; fruit is frozen at -20°C, fruit storage in a cold room at 4°C, and air-dried fruits at 25°C. Oil yield, free fatty acids, peroxide value, and total polyphenolic content were determined after 30, 60, and 90 days of storage. During the first 30 days, the highest yield was reached by fruits stored in a cold room (15%). Oil acidity from freshly harvested lentisk fruits was around 6% and then increased during storage. With increasing storage time, the oil peroxide value and the total polyphenolic content decreased in the fruits from all treatments. The peroxide value reached the respective values of 8, 5, and 23 meq O&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;/kg oil for Frozen, Cold Room, and Air Drying treatments. The total polyphenolic content varied from 0.5 EGA/g oil for air drying and frozen treatments to 0.8 EGA/g oil for the cold room. This study allowed the determination of the optimal conditions of storage of &lt;em&gt;Pistacia lentiscus&lt;/em&gt; oil. These results are important to preserve the oil's quality and chemical and medicinal properties.&lt;/p&gt;

Continuity and innovation in glazed tableware consumption in North Africa from the Fatimid to Zirid periods

Excavations in the former Roman port of Utica (North Tunisia) by the University of Oxford and the INP (Tunisie) have revealed an area of medieval Islamic houses in the area of the Roman forum. Stratified sequences of pottery have established four main phases of occupation which would appear to span the mid-10th to mid-11th century. The range of glazed wares and other classes of pottery is summarised per phase and a detailed study of the glaze technologies of 23 samples through time can now be compared with the study of 14 vessels previously published from Bir Ftouha, near Carthage. The Utica assemblage demonstrates that there were major changes in the consumption of glazed wares from the late Fatimid period to Zirid independent rule, not only in relation to forms and types of decoration but also in terms of glazing techniques. Up to six different glazing techniques have been identified, including transparent and opaque glazes and overglaze and underglaze decoration. Moreover, the presence of several glaze imports has been detected, showing that glazed pottery other than those produced in the central region of Ifriqiya was being consumed in North Tunisia. This work also provides relevant information with regard to the production and consumption of glazed wares in medieval Tunisia during the 10th and 11th centuries.