Critical review for the quantification of leachate production: Evaluation example for the “Oum Azza” public landfill in Rabat city,Morocco

The estimation of leachate quantities produced in landfills is necessary to dimension the treatment plants allowing to reduce the polluting load of these effluents and consequently avoid their negative impacts on the environment. Different leachate quantification methods were used in this study to assess the leachate volume produced at the Oum Azza landfill. The water balance method give comparable estimations of leachate production to the Ouled Berjal landfill ratio. The first method showed average values between 487 and 495 m³/day for 2015, 2018, and 2019, and at the same time, the second method gave values between 470 and 477 m³/day for the same years. In contrast, the World Bank ratio showed high values that vary between 2260 and 2295 m³/day for 2015, 2018, and 2019. The on-site data and the statistical analysis showed us that the World Bank ratio is not adapted for the estimation of the leachates produced in Oum Azza landfill, while the water balance and the ratio of Ouled Berjal landfill allowed to give comparable results to reality.     

COVID-19 and beliefs about tobacco use: an online cross-sectional study in Iran

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - There is mixed evidence surrounding the relationship between tobacco use and COVID-19 infection/progression. The current study investigates beliefs...     

Evaluation of the trophic status in three reservoirs in Algeria (north west) using physicochemical analysis and rotifers structure

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The aim of this study is to examine the trophic state of three reservoirs located in the northwest of Algeria based on the physicochemistry of water...     

Temperature,salinity and water-age variations in a tidal creek network,Bushehr Port,Iran

The spatio-temporal variability of temperature and salinity was studied for a creek network and its adjacent coastal waters along the northwestern coast of the Persian Gulf during warm and cold months. Salinity variations and tidal fluctuations were found to be out of phase throughout the creek. Temperature variations at the creek were exhibit a direct correlation with tidal fluctuations during cold months and were inversely related during warm months. The creek water was colder (warmer) than offshore water during the cold (warm) season. The salinity values observed inside this inverse estuary were higher during the warm season than the corresponding values during the cold season due to a change in evaporation rates; while the open water salinity had an opposite pattern. Using salinity as a tracer, the water-age (WA) was calculated, which shows almost linear increase from the mouth to the head. The maximum WA increases from ~10 days in winter to ~30 days in summer due to the corresponding increase in longitudinal salinity gradient. Based on the calculated non-dimensional Peclet number, the diffusion process is more rapid than the advection process in this water body, especially during the cold season.     

Ethnobotanical survey about medicinal plants used in traditional treatment of insomnia,asthenia, and oral and gum infections in the region Fez-Meknes,Morocco

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - An ethnobotanical survey was conducted among herbalists in the north-central region of Morocco using a questionnaire in order to highlight knowledge...     

Associations between body mass index,waist circumference,waist circumference to-height ratio,and hypertension in an Algerian adult population

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The aim of our study was to analyze the associations between anthropometric measures and high blood pressure (HBP) in Algerian patients. A...     

Municipal solid waste in Mostaganem city (Western Algeria)

The management of municipal solid waste (MSW) and valorisation is based on the understanding of MSW composition by its categories and physicochemical characteristics. In this study, we characterize and determine physicochemical parameters (density, fire loss, electric conductivity, average pH, moisture level, lower calorific value (LCV), total and organic carbon, and nitrogen) in order to establish MSW valorisation models for Mostaganem city (located in Western Algeria). The results show that organic matter represents 64.6% of waste, followed by paper-cardboard 15.9%, plastic 10.5%, glass 2.8%, textile 2.3%, metals 1.9%, and diverse materials 2%. These statistics are similar to results from developing countries, especially if organic matter, paper and plastic are taken into account, but differ from developed countries. This reflects the difference in lifestyle and consumption behaviour between the two communities. The parameters used to determine the possible valorisation model had the following average values: fire loss (63%); ash (37%); pH (6.1); electric conductivity (2.39 ms cm(-1)); total carbon (29.5%); nitrogen (1.5%); LCV (1028.6 kcal/kg), density (0.36), C/N (19.7) and moisture level (58.9%). The study shows that 31.1% of paper-cardboard, plastic, glass and metal wastes are recyclable. Incinerating MSW, with energy recovery, was a poor option because of the weak LCV (1028.6 kcal/kg). However, MSW produced a good methane yield of up to 1852.4 equivalent tons of oil per year. The agricultural benefits, C/N ratio values, levels of moisture and pH and the Tanner diagram all supported compost production.     

Assessment of using unleaded fuel in the harsh environment of the United Arab Emirates

The service life of lubricating oil produced in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was examined using a car fueled with leaded or unleaded gasoline of the same grade in harsh local conditions. In addition, the economic impact of using leaded vs. unleaded gasoline via the effects on the useful life of engine oil was investigated. Every 500 km that the car was operated, the physical properties of the oil were examined to determine the optimum oil life before replacement. It was found that relative to unleaded gasoline, leaded gasoline resulted in a faster deterioration of lube oil properties and a reduced useful life of the oil. Many of the effects of use on the physical properties of oil became apparent from the beginning of its service, especially when leaded gasoline was used. Our findings indicate that the recommended useful life of oil when using leaded gasoline is 2500 km. With unleaded gasoline, deterioration of the physical properties of the lubricating oil became a concern after 3000 km. Thus with unleaded gasoline, it is recommended to have an oil change every 3500 km. These findings indicate that the decision of the UAE government to stop using lead compound additives to improve the octane number of gasoline will not only protect the environment from the harmful effects of lead compounds, but will also extend the useful life of oil. This extension will reduce the amount of used oil that is disposed of by up to 4678 tons/year. This reduction in oil use translates to a cost savings of about 23.4 million UAE Dirhams (=$6.37 million US Dollars) per year.     

Hereditary,environmental, and dietary risk factors of colorectal cancer: a case-control study in the Algerian East

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is the second most common cancer diagnosed in Algeria. The incidence and the mortality rate of CRC have increased so that...     

Healthcare waste management in Algeria and Mostaganem department

Algeria as other developing countries faces an array of challenges for healthcare waste management. The management of healthcare waste is of major importance due to its public health risks and potential environmental hazards. Many efforts have been made by the government authorities in order to better manage the waste from healthcare facilities. However most healthcare facilities do not comply with the principles stated in Algerian legislation. A data study was made on 95 hospitals across the country, and the three health sectors of Mostaganem department (Mostaganem, Ain Tédles, and Sidi Ali) were surveyed. The yearly production of infectious healthcare waste in this Algerian department is estimated at 92 tons, which is 1.38% of the national waste production. This represents an average of 0.15 kg/bed/day, which is lower than the national value of 0.72 kg/bed/day. The total healthcare waste by sector ranges from 0.7 to 1.22 kg/bed/day, and healthcare waste comprises 16% of total waste, which is equal to the national percentage.