Investigation of groundwater behavior in response to oceanic tide and hydrodynamic assessment of coastal aquifers.

This study was based, firstly, on observations and analysis of water table level variations in the Plio-Quaternary and Hauterivian aquifers, Oualidia (Morocco), and secondly, on comparing this behavior to oceanic tidal variations. Recordings were made in the well located at 1318 m from the coast, where the two aquifers are in direct contact. This investigation was subdivided into two periods of 4 months each.

Haliscosamine: a new antifungal sphingosine derivative from the Moroccan marine sponge Haliclona viscosa.

In the aim of searching for new antifungal products from marine origin, we have isolated a sphingosine derivative, (9Z)-2-amino-docos-9-ene-1,3,13,14-tetraol (Haliscosamine) from the Moroccan sea sponge Haliclona viscosa using bio-guided (antifungal) HPLC methods. The molecular structure of this compound was elucidated by spectrometric techniques IR, UV, MS and NMR. The isolated metabolite showed a significant antifungal activity against Cryptococcus and Candida species and a weak general toxicity in the brine shrimp lethality test.

Organic matter evolution during co-composting of the organic fraction of municipal waste and poultry manure.

The study concerned the evolution of organic matter, and the humification process, during the co-composting of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OMSW) and poultry manure (PM); the study was made with two different mixtures (OMSW:PM ratios of 3:2 and 2:3, wet weight:wet weight) and two different particle sizes (1 and 0.2cm). The results suggested that the composting process proceeded unhindered throughout the degradation of easily degradable materials like hemicellulose, and that of the rather less degradable cellulose and lipids, and the concentration of recalcitrant material, i.

Genetic variation among populations of the Hessian fly Mayetiola destructor (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) in Morocco and Syria.

The RAPD-PCR technique was used to study genetic variation within and among geographical populations of the Hessian fly, Mayetiola destructor (Say), from Morocco and Syria, associated with the fly's ability to overcome resistance in three wheat cultivars containing H5, H13 and H22 resistance genes. Variation was detected both for the level of susceptibility of the cultivars and RAPD profiles of M. destructor populations.