Uranium isotopes in groundwater from the continental intercalaire aquifer in Algerian Tunisian Sahara (Northern Africa)

The disequilibrium between ²³⁴U and ²³⁸U is commonly used as a tracer of groundwater flow. This paper aims to identify uranium contents and uranium isotopic disequilibria variation in groundwater sampled from deep Continental Intercalaire aquifer (southern Algeria and Tunisia). Large variations in both U contents (0.006–3.39 ppb) and ²³⁴U/²³⁸U activity ratios (0.4–15.38) are observed. We conduct a first assessment in order to verify whether the results of our investigation support and complete previous hydrogeological and isotopic studies. The dissolved U content and ²³⁴U/²³⁸U activity ratio data were plotted on a two-dimensional diagram that was successfully utilized on sharing the CI aquifer into different compartments submitted to different oxidising/reducing conditions and leads also to distinguished two preferential flow paths in the Nefzaoua/Chott Fejej discharge area. Uranium isotopes disequilibrium indicate that ranium chemistry is mainly controlled by water–rock interaction enhanced by long residence time recognised for this aquifer.     

Quality assessment of composts prepared with olive mill wastewater and agricultural wastes

The co-composting of solid residue from olive oil production process, exhausted olive cake (EOC), with poultry manure (PM) watered with olive mill wastewater (OMW) was considered as an efficient method for the treatment of olive oil extraction effluent having high organic content including phenolic polluting compounds. The process was carried out by using three aerated windrows of variable compositions. OMW was used continuously during the bio-oxidative period, which lasted three months, to replace water for windrow moistening. The main process parameters (temperature, pH, humidity and C/N) were monitored over four months to ascertain the maturity of the compost. The composting process lasted four months during which 26 moistenings of the mixtures were performed with OMW or water to keep moisture within the ideal range of 45-60% (w/w). At the maturity stage, the C/N ratios were less than 16, pH of the resulting products were slightly alkaline (pH=8) and electrical conductivity was relatively high in the OMW mixtures (5.46-5.48 Sm(-1)) when compared with water application. Nitrates increased (0.16-0.42%) and phenol contents were reduced by more than 49%. Mature composts were then used as an amendment for potato production in a field where no inhibitory effect was observed. Potato productivity increased 10-23% as a result of compost application. No noticeable negative impact of OMW on the soil system was observed. Phenolic compound concentrations in the stabilised composts were comparable in the three studied mixtures (different sites) and averaged 0.24%. Considering previous results and this three year study, it has been observed that the benefit of these composts demonstrated the potential sustainable agronomic production of potato while using locally available recycled organic materials.     

Microcontroller PIC 16F877A standard based on solar cooker using PV—evacuated tubes with an extension of heat integrated energy system

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The unavailability of sunlight during nighttime and cloudy weather condition has limited the usage of solar cookers throughout the day. This study...     

Trends and problems of solid waste management in developing countries: a case study in seven Palestinian districts

There is a great interest in solving problems related to municipal solid waste (MSW) management in the Palestinian territory. However, few studies have been done to assess the extent of these problems and suggest the best alternative solutions. This study aims at assessing MSW conditions in the seven major districts in northern West Bank, Palestinian territory. The study focuses on comparing several MSW management elements (such as collection, budget, and disposal) in municipalities, village councils, and refugee camps in the studied districts and the problems faced by these institutions in handling the waste. It also provides information on MSW collection service availability and waste disposal practices in the districts studied. It was found that, although MSW collection service was available for 98% of the residents in the areas surveyed, no proper treatment or landfill procedure was followed for the collected waste in most of these areas. Instead, waste burning in open dumpsites was the most common practice. Moreover, due to inefficient collection of waste disposal fees from the residents, municipalities were forced to sometimes cut the collection service and reduce its labor force, especially in villages. The budget for MSW management was between 2% and 8% of the total budget of the municipalities studied, indicating a low priority for this issue.     

Alteration of in vitro and acute in vivo toxicity of textile dyeing wastewater after chemical and biological remediation

Introduction

Textile industry is one of the most common and essential sectors in Tunisia. However, the treatment of textile effluents becomes a university because of their toxic impacts on waters, soils, flora, and fauna.

Materials and methods

The aim of this work was to evaluate the ability of Pseudomonas putida mt-2 to decolorize a textile wastewater and to compare the biologic decolorization process to the chemical one currently used by the textile industry.

Results

P. putida exhibited a high decolorizing capacity of the studied effluent, compared to the coagulation?Cflocculation method with decolorization percentage of 86% and 34.5%, respectively. Genotoxicity of the studied effluent, before and after decolorization by P. putida mt-2, was evaluated in vitro, using the SOS chromotest, and in vivo, in mouse bone marrow, by assessing the percentage of cells bearing different chromosome aberrations compared to not treated mice. In addition, textile effluent statistically significant influenced acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase activities and lipid peroxidation (p?P. putida is a promising and improved alternative to treating industrial scale effluent compared to current chemical decolorization procedures used by the Tunisian textile industry.     

Case study analysis of the financial impact of catastrophic safety events

Several catastrophic events in the process industry have caused extensive damage to life and property and have forever changed the process safety landscape. Despite the commitment from the industry, incidents still occur with similar root causes, impacting major companies in various ways. This work examines the financial impact of such incidents on the stability and future of affected companies in different industries. Several devastating incidents were analyzed to evaluate the direct impact in the short- and long-term and to discuss factors influencing the ability of affected companies to withstand the consequence of catastrophic events.     

Factors affecting the sustainability of solid waste management system—the case of Palestine

Understanding the predictors of sustainability in solid waste management (SWM) systems can significantly contribute to eliminate many waste management problems. In this paper, the sustainability elements of SWM systems of interest are (1) attitudes toward separation at the source, (2) behaviour regarding reuse and/or recycling and (3) willingness to pay for an improved service of SWM. The predictors affecting these three elements were studied in two Palestinian cities: Ramallah and Jericho. The data were collected via structured questionnaires and direct interviews with the respondents, and the analysis utilized a logistic regression model. The results showed that the place of residence and dwelling premises are the significant factors influencing attitudes toward separation at the source; the place of residence and age are the significant factors explaining behaviour regarding reuse and/or recycling; while the dwelling premises, gender, level of education and being received education on waste management are the significant factors affecting willingness to pay for an improved service of SWM.     

Multimarker approach analysis in common carp Cyprinus carpio sampled from three freshwater sites

The aim of this study is to assess the response of a multimarker approach in common carp Cyprinus carpio sampled from three Tunisian dam lakes selected according to different environmental and ecological characteristics. Glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity was analyzed in carp liver and used as a phase II detoxification enzyme, hepatic metallothionein content (MTs) was used as a metallic stress indicator, and cholinesterase activities were analyzed in muscle and brain and used as neurotoxicity biomarker. Micronucleus frequency test (MN) as a genotoxicity marker. GST and MT levels showed an increase in fish from the Bir Mcherga site and a decrease in Sidi Saâd site with respect to fish from Nebhana site. Results showed a strong inhibition of cholinesterase activities in fish from Bir Mcherga and Sidi Saâd sites compared to Nebhana site. Relatively high level of MN is reported specially in fish blood from the Bir Mcherga site.     

Speciation of some heavy metals in River Nile sediments,Cairo, Egypt

River sediments are basic components of our environment. It also constitutes a major source of persistent bioaccumulative toxic chemicals which may pose threats to ecological and human health even after contaminants are no longer released from point and non-point sources. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the mobility and the availability of metals in sediments from different sites along the Nile River in Cairo district using sequential chemical extraction technique. The speciation data showed that most metals were associated with organic/sulfide and residual fractions. The order of total metal concentrations in sediment samples was found to be Fe > Mn > Zn > Ni > Cu ≥ Cr > Pb > Cd.