Loading...
13 results
Search Results
Now showing 1 - 10 of 13
- Mapping the pollution plume using the self-potential geophysical method: case of Oum Azza Landfill, Rabat, MoroccoPublication . Touzani, Meryem; Mohsine, Ismail; Ouardi, Jamila; Kacimi, Ilias; Morarech, Moad; El Bahajji, Mohamed Habib; Bouramtane, Tarik; Tiouiouine, Abdessamad; Yameogo, Suzanne; El Mahrad, BadrThe main landfill in the city of Rabat (Morocco) is based on sandy material containing the shallow Mio-Pliocene aquifer. The presence of a pollution plume is likely, but its extent is not known. Measurements of spontaneous potential (SP) from the soil surface were cross-referenced with direct measurements of the water table and leachates (pH, redox potential, electrical conductivity) according to the available accesses, as well as with an analysis of the landscape and the water table flows. With a few precautions during data acquisition on this resistive terrain, the results made it possible to separate the electrokinetic (~30%) and electrochemical (~70%) components responsible for the range of potentials observed (70 mV). The plume is detected in the hydrogeological downstream of the discharge, but is captured by the natural drainage network and does not extend further under the hills.
- Electronic waste, an environmental problem exported to developing countries: The GOOD, the BAD and the UGLYPublication . Abalansa, Samuel; El Mahrad, Badr; Icely, John; Newton, AliceElectronic waste (e-waste) is a rapidly developing environmental problem particularly for the most developed countries. There are technological solutions for processing it, but these are costly, and the cheaper option for most developed countries has been to export most of the waste to less developed countries. There are various laws and policies for regulating the processing of e-waste at different governance scales such as the international Basel Convention, the regional Bamoko Convention, and various national laws. However, many of the regulations are not fully implemented and there is substantial financial pressure to maintain the jobs created for processing e-waste. Mexico, Brazil, Ghana Nigeria, India, and China have been selected for a more detailed study of the transboundary movements of e-waste. This includes a systematic review of existing literature, the application of the Driver, Pressure, State, Impact, Response (DPSIR) framework for analysing complex problems associated with social ecological systems, and the application of the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for evaluating the environmental impact of electronic devices from their manufacture through to their final disposal. Japan, Italy, Switzerland, and Norway have been selected for the LCA to show how e-waste is diverted to developing countries, as there is not sufficient data available for the assessment from the selected developing countries. GOOD, BAD and UGLY outcomes have been identified from this study: the GOOD is the creation of jobs and the use of e-waste as a source of raw materials; the BAD is the exacerbation of the already poor environmental conditions in developing countries; the UGLY is the negative impact on the health of workers processing e-waste due to a wide range of toxic components in this waste. There are a number of management options that are available to reduce the impact of the BAD and the UGLY, such as adopting the concept of a circular economy, urban mining, reducing loopholes and improving existing policies and regulations, as well as reducing the disparity in income between the top and bottom of the management hierarchy for e-waste disposal. The overarching message is a request for developed countries to help developing countries in the fight against e-waste, rather than exporting their environmental problems to these poorer regions.
- Water resources planning and management: from stakeholders’ local actions to the global perspectivePublication . Ben-Daoud, Mohamed; El Mahrad, Badr; Moroșanu, Gabriela Adina; Ben-Daoud, Abderrahmane; Swe, Wint Mon; Elhassnaoui, Ismail; Essahlaoui, Ali; Eljaafari, SamirWater planning and management, especially during periods of water stress, is becoming challenging for water managers worldwide. The aim of the present study was to provide an integrated water resources management (IWRM) plan designed to water management implementation at the local scale. This study was conducted in Morocco, a country which opts for anticipatory and long-term planning for the 2021-2050. The objective-based stakeholder interaction approach was adopted to establish the impact relationship between stakeholders and to develop an integrated water resources management (IWRM) plan. Thus, ten actors were involved and twelve water-related issues were identified and analysed. As a result, an analysis of stakeholders' engagement was carried out based on an indicator framework on the impact between actors and the similarity between the actors' objectives. The stakeholder's analysis shows a high level of the objective similarity amongst some stakeholders which is very important indicator to recognise in the IWRM planning process. Furthermore, an IWRM plan was developed, which consisted of nine components aimed at either implementing or enhancing the water management process. This IWRM plan emphasised capacity building and stakeholders' participation as main input of the process. The findings provide a roadmap for effective IWRM implementation through the operationalization of water management actions.
- Marine fisheries management in the Eastern Central Atlantic OceanPublication . Takyi, Richard; Addo, Cynthia; El Mahrad, Badr; Adade, Richard; Elhadary, Mohamed; Nunoo, Francis Kofi Ewusie; Essandoh, John; Chuku, Ernest Obeng; Iriarte-Ahon, FedericoMarine fishing is crucial to the socio-economy of West Africa fishery. However, the sector has many challenges, which have increased the call for an integrated approach that provides links among human needs, activities, changes in the state of the environment, and the resultant effect on ecosystem services for sustainable management in fulfilment of the Conservation on Biological Diversity and the Sustainable Development Goals. This study uses a socio-ecological framework (Drivers (D), Activities (A), Pressure (P), State (S), Impact (I) on welfare (W), and Response (R) as a Measure (M); DAPSI(W)R(M)) to assess the marine fishery sector of Ghana. Data were systematically sampled and analysed from vessel logbooks, fish manifests, observer reports, and relevant publications. Results show that Drivers, including livelihoods and revenue, food, and social status, contribute to industrial tuna and trawl fishing, and marine artisanal fishing activities. Where illegal fishing methods such as small meshsize nets (less than 25 mm), lights, poisonous substances, among others, are used. These activities have contributed to the pressures of selective fishing of juvenile and adult pelagic and demersal fish species. This has contributed to (changes in the State) the decline and vulnerability of Sardinella spp., and Engraulis encrasicolus, among others. The Impact on welfare includes Ghana becoming a net importer of marine species with increasing idleness of fishers due to reduced catch. Several management measures, including the Fisheries Act 625 of 2002 and Fisheries (Amendment) Regulations L.I. 2217 of 2015, and quotas in the tuna sector, among others, have been instituted to curb the effect of anthropogenic activities. Management measures, including influencing consumer behaviour for a sustainable fishery, enforcement, and data-driven management, have been recommended, in response to the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals, the United Nations Decade of Ocean and the Convention on Biological Diversity.
- Social-environmental analysis for the management of coastal lagoons in North AfricaPublication . El Mahrad, Badr; Abalansa, Samuel; Newton, Alice; Icely, John; Snoussi, Maria; Kacimi, IliasThis study provides an overview of 11 lagoons in North Africa, from the Atlantic to the Eastern Mediterranean. Lagoons are complex, transitional, coastal zones providing valuable ecosystem services that contribute to the welfare of the human population. The main economic sectors in the lagoons included fishing, shellfish harvesting, and salt and sand extraction, as well as maritime transport. Economic sectors in the areas around the lagoons and in the watershed included agriculture, tourism, recreation, industrial, and urban development. Changes were also identified in land use from reclamation, changes in hydrology, changes in sedimentology from damming, inlet modifications, and coastal engineering. The human activities in and around the lagoons exert multiple pressures on these ecosystems and result in changes in the environment, affecting salinity, dissolved oxygen, and erosion; changes in the ecology, such as loss of biodiversity; and changes in the delivery of valuable ecosystem services. Loss of ecosystem services such as coastal protection and seafood affect human populations that live around the lagoons and depend on them for their livelihood. Adaptive management frameworks for social–ecological systems provide options that support decision makers with sciencebased knowledge to deliver sustainable development for ecosystems. The framework used to support the decision makers for environmental management of these 11 lagoons is Drivers–Activities–Pressures–State Change–Impact (on Welfare)–Responses (as Measures).
- Contribution of remote sensing technologies to a holistic coastal and marine environmental management framework: a reviewPublication . El Mahrad, Badr; Newton, Alice; Icely, John; Kacimi, Ilias; Abalansa, Samuel; Snoussi, MariaCoastal and marine management require the evaluation of multiple environmental threats and issues. However, there are gaps in the necessary data and poor access or dissemination of existing data in many countries around the world. This research identifies how remote sensing can contribute to filling these gaps so that environmental agencies, such as the United Nations Environmental Programme, European Environmental Agency, and International Union for Conservation of Nature, can better implement environmental directives in a cost-e ective manner. Remote sensing (RS) techniques generally allow for uniform data collection, with common acquisition and reporting methods, across large areas. Furthermore, these datasets are sometimes open-source, mainly when governments finance satellite missions. Some of these data can be used in holistic, coastal and marine environmental management frameworks, such as the DAPSI(W)R(M) framework (Drivers–Activities–Pressures–State changes–Impacts (on Welfare)–Responses (as Measures), an updated version of Drivers–Pressures–State–Impact–Responses. The framework is a useful and holistic problem-structuring framework that can be used to assess the causes, consequences, and responses to change in the marine environment. Six broad classifications of remote data collection technologies are reviewed for their potential contribution to integrated marine management, including Satellite-based Remote Sensing, Aerial Remote Sensing, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Unmanned Surface Vehicles, Unmanned Underwater Vehicles, and Static Sensors. A significant outcome of this study is practical inputs into each component of the DAPSI(W)R(M) framework. The RS applications are not expected to be all-inclusive; rather, they provide insight into the current use of the framework as a foundation for developing further holistic resource technologies for management strategies in the future. A significant outcome of this research will deliver practical insights for integrated coastal and marine management and demonstrate the usefulness of RS to support the implementation of environmental goals, descriptors, targets, and policies, such as theWater Framework Directive, Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Ocean Health Index, and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Additionally, the opportunities and challenges of these technologies are discussed.
- The marine plastic litter issue: a social-economic analysisPublication . Abalansa, Samuel; El Mahrad, Badr; Vondolia, Godwin Kofi; Icely, John; Newton, AliceThe issue of marine plastic litter pollution is multifaceted, cross-sectoral, and ongoing in the absence of appropriate management measures. This study analysed the issue of marine plastic litter pollution in the context of the Descriptor 10 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and Good Environmental Status of the oceans and seas. The Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) framework was used to assess the causes, e ects, and management measures to changes in the marine environment resulting from marine plastics pollution. We noted that less than 10 peer-reviewed publications have applied the Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) model to the issue of marine plastics pollution. Some basic needs such as food security, movement of goods and services, and shelter are also some of the major drivers of marine plastic pollution. The use of plastics is linked to multiple economic sectors (fisheries, agriculture, transport, packaging, construction) and other human activities. A significant amount of the resulting pressures came from the economic sectors for packaging and construction. State changes occurred at the environmental (contamination and bioaccumulation), ecosystem (ingestion of plastics, ghost fishing) and ecosystem service levels (supply of sea food, salt and cultural benefits), with possible loss of jobs and income being some of the observed impacts on human welfare. Responses as management measures, which are tailored to meet each component of the DPSIR framework, were identified. These included policies, regulations, technological advancement and behavioural change. The research acknowledges the issue of marine plastics pollution as a global environmental problem and recommends a trans-disciplinary approach, involving all types of stakeholders. Future research and analysis applying the DPSIR framework will be useful to provide the information necessary for the e ective, adaptive management of litter pollution by marine plastics.
- Adaptive management of environmental challenges in West African coastal lagoonsPublication . Takyi, Richard; El Mahrad, Badr; Nunoo, Francis Kofi Ewusie; Adade, Richard; Elhadary, Mohamed; Essandoh, JohnHuman activities in coastal lagoons over several decades have had a significant impact on their ecology and the valuable ecosystem services they provide. Although there are several management approaches to mitigate the problem, they are unable to link human needs and activities with changes in the state of the environment. This research provides this link via assessment of eleven lagoons in Ghana with a socio-ecological framework (Drivers (D), Activities (A), Pressure (P), State (S), Impact (I) on welfare (W), and Response (R) as a Measure (M); DAPSI(W)R(M)). Data were systematically obtained from relevant publications, previously conducted research, and national reports on the subject and were analyzed using this socio-ecological framework. Results show that basic biological and physiological needs such as food and shelter, social status and dominance, financial self-reliance, and self-actualization are the drivers of fishing, farming, settlements, salt mining, mangrove harvesting, industries, among others. These activities have contributed to pressures of selective extraction of fish and mangroves species, the introduction of heavy metals, organic materials, and smothering of substrates, consequently altering the environment by decreasing the oxygen rate and increasing the biochemical oxygen demand, organic matter, nutrients and pathogens, and reduction in lagoon areas and biodiversity. Thus, ultimately impacting human welfare, such as loss of revenue, employment, and seafood provision. Management options, including addressing the building and fuelwood material sources, afforestation and community ownership of lagoons, the prohibition of construction activities, and research-led management that can support decision-makers to improve the sustainability of these ecosystems, are highlighted. The findings have global implications for guiding local planners and state regulators in the applications of such integrated environmental management.
- Differentiation of multi-parametric groups of groundwater bodies through discriminant analysis and machine LearningPublication . Mohsine, Ismail; Kacimi, Ilias; Valles, Vincent; Leblanc, Marc; El Mahrad, Badr; Dassonville, Fabrice; Kassou, Nadia; Bouramtane, Tarik; Abraham, Shiny; Touiouine, Abdessamad; Jabrane, Meryem; Touzani, Meryem; Barry, Abdoul Azize; Yameogo, Suzanne; Barbiero, LaurentIn order to facilitate the monitoring of groundwater quality in France, the groundwater bodies (GWB) in the Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur region have been grouped into 11 homogeneous clusters on the basis of their physico-chemical and bacteriological characteristics. This study aims to test the legitimacy of this grouping by predicting whether water samples belong to a given sampling point, GWB or group of GWBs. To this end, 8673 observations and 18 parameters were extracted from the Size-Eaux database, and this dataset was processed using discriminant analysis and various machine learning algorithms. The results indicate an accuracy of 67% using linear discriminant analysis and 69 to 83% using ML algorithms, while quadratic discriminant analysis underperforms in comparison, yielding a less accurate prediction of 59%. The importance of each parameter in the prediction was assessed using an approach combining recursive feature elimination (RFE) techniques and random forest feature importance (RFFI). Major ions show high spatial range and play the main role in discrimination, while trace elements and bacteriological parameters of high local and/or temporal variability only play a minor role. The disparity of the results according to the characteristics of the GWB groups (geography, altitude, lithology, etc.) is discussed. Validating the grouping of GWBs will enable monitoring and surveillance strategies to be redirected on the basis of fewer, homogeneous hydrogeological units, in order to optimize sustainable management of the resource by the health agencies.
- Assessment of coastal and marine ecosystems in West Africa: The case of GhanaPublication . Takyi, Richard; El Mahrad, Badr; Addo, Cynthia; Essandoh, John; Elhadary, Mohamed; Adade, Richard; Buadi, Eddiebright Joseph; Botwe, Benjamin Osei; Nunoo, Francis Kofi EwusieCoastal and marine ecosystems, as integral component of social, ecological, and economic systems, are critical in providing essential ecosystem services that underpin human activities, including fishing and mining. Effective management of these ecosystems is paramount to safeguarding their vital contributions. This study adopts a socio-ecological framework, "Drivers (D) of human activities (A), associated Pressures (P), State change in coastal and marine environments, Impact (I) on human welfare (W) and Response (R) as measures (M) of management, (DAPSI(W)R(M))," to analyse the complexities of coastal and marine ecosystems in the Ghanaian context. The study identifies various drivers of anthropogenic activities, such as fishing, oil and gas production, and waste disposal. These anthropogenic activities create significant pressures, including selective extraction of living and non-living resources, as well as habitat degradation through substratum loss and pollution. Consequently, these pressures have led to changes in fish biomass and habitat quality, among other ecological shifts.