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Water management has become one of the major interests in arid and semi-arid regions. Scientists have suggested different criteria and methodologies for the identification of suitable dam sites. According to our literature review, we have used two major methodologies for the selection of suitable dam site location: geographic information system and remote sensing (GIS/RS) and multicriteria analysis (MCA) integrated with GIS/RS. The most common criteria used for the selection of suitable dam sites were slope, rainfall, land use land cover, soil type, lithology, lineament density, and hydrographic typology. All the factors were superimposed to prepare the synthesis map of water-harvesting structures, each thematic layer’s weight was determined, and storage water potential indices were calculated using water accumulation conditions. According to the water-harvesting location map, where the spatial distribution of the excellent (5%), very good (9%), and good (17%) aptitude classes is established in the northeast and central parts of the westward zone, the average located in the center of the zone. Study and weak are located south of the map; the area of moderate (25%) to poor (44%) suitability is situated in the south and southwest zone. The MCA was validated using an existing dam across the study area, where the MCA provides for the dam located in the good and moderate zones. The approach adopted in this study can be applied for any other location globally to identify potential dam-construction sites. From the point of view of the literature of multicriteria analyses of water recovery, areas unsuitable for surface water harvesting and dam projects are suitable for groundwater recharge.

In developing countries in Africa and Asia, meeting challenges of water scarcity and pollution has often been hampered by shortcomings in higher education, including insufficient research productivity and funding, lack of opportunity for university graduates, and a mismatch between university activities and societal needs. To address these issues, we developed novel programs integrating technical instruction and preparation for professional practice in hydrology for cohorts of graduate students from Morocco and Egypt (2012–2013) and from Türkiye and Indonesia (2013–2014). Students participated in an initial online course and a follow‐up workshop featuring geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing, and hydrologic modeling with internet‐based data sets. Field activities in the USA (first cohort) and in the students' home countries (second cohort) included stream gauging, measurement of water levels in wells, water sampling, and measurement of hydrochemical parameters. A subsequent online course focused on research ethics, preparing proposals and publications, and presenting findings to technical audiences and the public, culminating in presentations at conferences in the USA. Participants mentored other students at their home institutions and at K‐12 schools in Türkiye and Indonesia. Participant feedback during and after the programs tended to be strongly positive, and participants have continued to engage with project leaders and mentor students in their home countries and the USA. Our modular, hybrid approach offers a template for students in hydrology and related fields to develop relevant skills and engage internationally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zn(II), Cd(II), and Cu(II) complexes with 1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-(2-(1-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylidene)hydrazinyl)-1H-pyrrole-3-carbonitrile (HP) were produced by using ball milling as a mechanochemical technique. The mode of chelation for the isolated complexes was illustrated by several spectroscopic techniques. Also, a computational study was estimated to prove the geometry of the isolated complexes by applying a density function theory method. In addition, its biological activity (antimicrobial and DNA binding) was evaluated.

Several pyridopyrimidine derivatives have been synthesized through different synthetic processes. The different physicochemical factors for their synthesis were also discussed. A comparison between the conventional and microwave-assisted synthesis was conducted by comparing total time of reaction and its yield percentage. Most of the produced uracils were established for their anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antioxidant activities. Compounds 1 and 3 were demonstrated as the best results against DNA damage, whereas compounds 2a and 2b exhibited an effective anti-inflammatory activity. Moreover, the Lipinski rule parameters were calculated for the synthesized compounds. The results indicated that compounds 1, 2a and 5 have good potential for subsequent development bioactivity.

This study addresses the issue of groundwater resources quality affected by solid waste disposed of in the Médiouna dumping site. In this order, we applied the Driving forcePressureStateImpact Response model (DPSIR) model combined with external factors of SWOT analysis (Opportunities and Threats) to assess the environmental impact of waste from Médiouna landfill on groundwater. The analysis study revealed that the continuous demographic expansion and economic growth made solid waste a complex problem. The study highlights the urgent need for implementing new strategies and redesigning more effective, operational and realizable management projects to rehabilitate the Médiouna landfill. In addition, the integration of all stakeholders, including Médiouna residents and informal waste pickers, in the management operations is indispensable for the success of these operations. Further environmental impact assessment must be done while valuing the Médiouna dumping site by adopting landfill-mining concepts is mandatory for efficient waste conversion in Casablanca.

The tourism industry is an important sector contributing to the world economy where many countries’ economies worldwide depend mostly on the tourism industry incomes. In the present study, we analyze and review the tourism industry strength, weaknesses and opportunities in Morocco through applying Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, and Threat (SWOT) analysis. The study highlights the importance of the tourism sector for the socio-economic growth and development of the Moroccan economy and the need to preserve the country’s natural and cultural wealth by adopting environmentally sustainable practices.

Geothermal energy is part of the renewable energy mix. It is used for heating, air conditioning and sometimes even for the production of electricity. Prospecting for such a resource proves to be a difficult and capital-intensive task. To overcome this constraint, we have used remote sensing which is an adequate tool to guide the prospecting through the elaboration of hydrothermal resource potential maps at the level of zones that present a favorable potential for exploitation (hyper-tectonized sites, volcanic sites, faulted sites, sites with hot geological formations, seismic zones...). The objective of this work is to carry out a study on the North-East of Morocco (Berkane Province), in order to identify favorable sites for geothermal exploitation such as geologically and hydrogeologically active sites. The methodology adopted consists in processing the images of the OLI (Operational Land Imager) and TIRS (Thermal Infrared Sensor) sensors of the Landsat-8 satellite in order to extract spectral indices (Clay mineral Index and Ferrous mineral Index,) detecting a geothermal activity and the surface temperature map (LST) using muticriteria analysis method (MCA). ) in the north-eastern part of Morocco. The results obtained show an almost perfect concordance of the distribution of the above-mentioned indices, with the map of lineaments which are considered as heat drains from the depth to the surface. Moreover, a correct correlation was established during the validation of these results with the map of the inventory of hydrothermal springs identified in the study area.

Series of new thirteen annulated heterocyclic were prepared and screened for their antioxidant activities. The ethyl-4(2-cyanoacetamido)benzoate as a multifunctional component which possess both electrophilic and nucleophilic centers that were utilized in organic synthesis of different candidates. These new compounds studied as antioxidants at different concentrations based on DPPH and ABTS assays using ascorbic acid as a standard antioxidant. The most potent compound was 5 that recorded as the best antioxidant compound with IC50 equal 0.006 mg/ml for DPPH results. While for ABTS study, compound 4 anticipated the best result with IC50 equal 27.46 µM. Different reactive and thermodynamic descriptors were calculated as a preliminary step for a comparative thermodynamic study for antioxidant property. The results clarified that the potent compounds showed dependence on SET–PT mechanism than HAT or SPLET mechanism. These mechanisms depended on different parameters as proton affinity and electron transfer energy that were studied. SET–PT mechanism was dependent on two descriptors: IP and BDE which were studied and observed that were less-valued in site A for two potent compounds 4 and 5. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical analysis, grain size distribution and short-lived radionuclides (210Pb and 137Cs) were combined to investigate the sedimentary processes in the Oualidia lagoon. Grain size and major elements profiles indicate an unexpected change in the layers characterising 1978 and 1986. Sediment accumulation rates (SAR) depth profiles exhibited the same behaviour and revealed two different sediment deposition conditions or regimes, involving modification of this ecosystem equilibrium. The profiles of major elements behave vertically almost the same as SAR, and grain size distribution. The observed changes reflect modifications in sediments supply and ecosystem drivers due to the variation of hydrodynamics conditions, confinement phenomena located in the upstream zone of the lagoon and to the various anthropogenic activities around the Oualidia lagoon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]