In Southern Tunisia Nefzawa region, the deep fossil aquifers have been used intensively to support agricultural activities and economic development. This resulted in the degradation of groundwater resources as well as in their conflicting uses. Efficient management strategies that allow for compromises between economic development and water resource preservation are needed. Such strategies require initial understanding of the interactions between stakeholders and water related processes. This paper aims to conceptualize the causalities between the management of deep fossil aquifers and the functioning of oasian agrosystems. By merging biophysical and socioeconomic issues, we propose an integrated assessment of public policies devoted to the management of groundwater resources. The failure of public policies emphasizes both the lack of consideration for individual initiatives and the long-term uncertainties on such policies, where farmer practices have been driven by economic and cultural factors. A set of indicators is next proposed for assessing the preservation of deep fossil aquifers that support agricultural and economic development. Further methodological improvements are needed to evaluate the long-term effects of constraints and incentives on the management of deep fossil aquifers.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2013.02.041 | DOI Listing |
Anat Rec (Hoboken)
January 2025
Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology & Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.
Diet is one of a limited set of key ecological parameters defining primate species. A detailed understanding of dental functional correlates with primate diet is a key component for accurate dietary inference in fossil primates. Although considerable effort has been devoted to understanding post-canine dental function, incisor function remains poorly understood.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSci Rep
January 2025
School of New Energy, Longdong University, Qingyang, 745000, China.
In this work, taking wells LD1, LD2, and LY2 in the Laifeng-Xianfeng area as the research target, through core description, intensive core sampling, experimental analysis, imaging logging and other methods, the characteristics of graptolite zone development, organic carbon content, mineral composition, shale reservoir properties and the gas-bearing properties of the Wufeng-Longmaxi Formation shale are systematically analyzed. The main factors affecting the gas-bearing capacity of the Wufeng-Longmaxi Formation shale are extensively evaluated. The results reveal the following: ① The Wufeng-Longmaxi Formation shale, which was deposited in a deep-water shelf environment, has a large thickness (50-60 m) and a stable distribution.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBioresour Technol
December 2024
National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Biomass Resource Utilization, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China.
The utilization of renewable lignocellulosic biomass resources is a promising solution to deal with the deficit of fossil resources and the associated environmental concerns. Among diverse biomass-derived products, lactic acid (LA) stands out as one of the most successful commodities and also a platform to connect raw biomass feedstocks with value-added chemicals and degradable polymers. Herein, we critically review the recent advances in the design and development of base, acid, and multifunctional catalytic systems for the conversion of different carbohydrates to LA and alkyl lactates via chemical routes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAnat Rec (Hoboken)
December 2024
Departamento de Paleobiología, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales-CSIC, Madrid, Spain.
Megantereon was a widespread saber-toothed felid from the Pliocene and Pleistocene of the Old World and North America, but its rarity in the fossil record makes it complicated to restore its life appearance. Lack of complete specimens makes it necessary to combine information from fossils of different individuals to reconstruct their facial anatomy. In this work, we combine the analysis of skulls and mandibles of Megantereon from various fossil sites with the study of extant carnivorans through dissection, 3D scans, and the observation of live individuals.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Biol Macromol
December 2024
State Key Laboratory of Pulp and Paper Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province 510640, China.
Cellulose biocomposites have emerged as attractive alternatives to fossil-based plastics because of their excellent renewability and biodegradability; however, their water resistance and mechanical properties remain challenging. Herein, a cellulose- containing bioplastic with high a reinforcement content, water stability, and toughness is reported. Lignin-containing cellulose nanofibers (LCNF) were prepared by pretreating eucalyptus wood powder with a deep eutectic solvent and high-pressure homogenization.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!