Climate Change and Its Impacts on Oases Ecosystem in Morocco

Today, the international community agrees that climate change is one of the most important threats to the equilibrium of ecosystems. For its part, Morocco is not immune to this phenomenon because of climatic disturbances that the country has known for several years. Moroccan oases are among the most affected ecosystems by climate change, which has resulted in reduced yields of agricultural production, poverty, and deterioration of natural resources. The reports showed that in Morocco the area of palm groves has been significantly reduced during the last decades resulting from the upsurge of drought phenomena, soil salinity, and the spread of “Bayoud.” Therefore, the deterioration of the socio-economic and environmental importance of the date palm is well established. Aware of these issues, many actions have been initiated by the Moroccan government to preserve this ecosystem. The aim of this chapter is to provide an overview of how climate change affects different levels of oases ecosystem in Morocco and to propose sustainable strategies to limit degradation of this vulnerable area.

Environmental Importance in Indonesian Language Learning

Notes on the importance of the environment in learning Indonesian

Morphoagronomic and molecular characterization of Euterpe oleracea accessions from eastern Brazilian Amazon

Açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) - a common tropical palm has high social, economic, and environmental importance in the Amazon region. In the light of increasing exploration to obtain the fruit and heart of this palms, comprehensive studies are warranted for conservation and genetic improvement. Here, we characterized açaí accessions using phenological, morphological, and agronomic descriptors and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) molecular markers for joint selection of accessions with greater productivity. Hundred accessions were analyzed using 18 morphoagronomic descriptors and 13 RAPD markers. The spathe and inflorescence emission phases during flowering and fruiting showed seasonality. Based on the coefficient of variation and mean squared error, the accessions exhibited high variability in the tested morphoagronomic descriptors and were distributed into seven groups. Fruit, seed, and pulp weights were important descriptors for the distinction of accessions and identification of those with greater productivity. The accessions presented >85% similarity, and 85 accessions, distributed in nine subgroups, could not be differentiated using RAPD markers. There was no correlation between grouping based on morphometric descriptors and RAPD markers. Panicle weight was 3.9-9.0 kg in 15 accessions and 100-fruit pulp weight was 35-50 g in six accessions. Therefore, accessions with high productivity could be selected.

The Aquatic Symbiosis Genomics Project: probing the evolution of symbiosis across the tree of life

We present the Aquatic Symbiosis Genomics Project, a global collaboration to generate high quality genome sequences for a wide range of eukaryotes and their microbial symbionts. Launched under the Symbiosis in Aquatic Systems Initiative of the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, the ASG Project brings together researchers from across the globe who hope to use these reference genomes to augment and extend their analyses of the dynamics, mechanisms and environmental importance of symbiosis. Applying large-scale, high-throughput sequencing and assembly technologies, the ASG collaboration will assemble and annotate the genomes of 500 symbiotic organisms – both the “hosts” and the microbial symbionts with which they associate. These data will be released openly to benefit all who work on symbiosis, from conservation geneticists to those interested in the origin of the eukaryotic cell.

Assessment of water-holding capacity of leaves of Armeniaca vulgaris Lam. in the conditions of the Zhezkazgan region (the Central Kazakstan)

The expansion of the existing range of tree crops for the greening of settlements is of practical and environmental importance. In the Zhezkazgan industrial region it is necessary to select plants that are resistant to heat, drought, low temperatures and atmospheric pollution, which limits the species composition. In present article studies are conducted to assess the water content in the leaves of Armeniaca vulgaris Lam. during the vegetation season under growing using traditional furrow watering and drip irrigation. The assessment of leaf water content showed maximum parameters in May, a decrease in June and July, and repeated increase in August of 2020–2021. Minimum indicators of water-holding capacity are noted in May, maximum — in June. Leaves of plants grown on drip irrigation had parameters of water-holding capacity 1.3–3.9 % higher than under the traditional irrigation method, which indicates a better moisture supply. In general, the water content of apricot leaves was above 50 %, which shows sufficient water supply. The results showed the resistance of Armeniaca vulgaris plants to heat and drought, so, this species is recommended for use in green construction of the Zhezkazgan industrial region.

ECOLOGICAL EFFECTIVE TREATMENT OF INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER FORMED IN THE OIL-PRODUCING INDUSTRY BY COAGULATION METHOD

Research work has been carried out on deep purification of water samples taken from industrial wastewater formed in the oil-producing industry containing hydrophilic and hydrophobic (oil-in-water and water-in-oil) emulsions from oil and organic suspended substances. Using the coagulation method developed by us, industrial wastewater samples were purified up to 100% from oil and suspended substances under optimal conditions. It has been substantiated that this method is of great economic and environmental importance. The applied coagulant and extractant meet the requirements of environmental safety

Microcystin-LR, a Cyanobacterial Toxin, Induces DNA Strand Breaks Correlated with Changes in Specific Nuclease and Protease Activities in White Mustard (Sinapis alba) Seedlings

There is increasing evidence for the induction of programmed cell death (PCD) in vascular plants by the cyanobacterial toxin microcystin-LR (MC-LR). Our aim was to detect the occurrence of PCD-related DNA strand breaks and their possible connections to specific nuclease and protease activities. DNA breaks were studied by the deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) method in the photoperiodically grown dicot model of white mustard (Sinapis alba). In-gel nuclease and protease activity assays showed changes in the activities of specific isoenzymes during treatments with MC-LR. Strand breaks occurred both in the developing root epidermis and cortex. Several isoenzyme activities were related to these breaks, for example: an increase in the activity of neutral 80–75 kDa, acidic high MW (100–120 kDa) and, most importantly, an increase in the activity of neutral 26–20 kDa nucleases, all of them having single-stranded DNA cleaving (SSP nuclease) activities. Increases in the activities of alkaline proteases in the 61–41 kDa range were also detected and proved to be in relation with MC-LR-induced PCD. This is one of the first pieces of evidence on the correlation of PCD-related DNA strand breaks with specific hydrolase activities in a model dicot treated with a cyanobacterial toxin known to have environmental importance.

Ecological geology

The textbook describes complex natural, geological, geographical, hydrogeological and lithological studies based on modern geological and ecological theories and forming the basis of environmental science. The theoretical views on the ecology of the geological environment are expanded. The tasks of ecological geology and geography, as well as ecological hydrogeology and ecological lithology are substantiated. Attention is paid to the history of geoecological research in the development of new territories. The influence of the tectonic formation of geological structures on the ecological situation of the Earth's lithosphere is studied. The ecological zoning of the lithosphere and hydrosphere is given. The ecological characteristics of sedimentary deposits, which are associated with minerals of important industrial and environmental importance, are given. The ecological properties of various types of mineral raw materials for their application in industry are considered. Meets the requirements of the federal state educational standards of higher education of the latest generation. It is intended for bachelors studying the discipline "Ecological Geology" and Earth sciences, and will also be of interest to environmental specialists in the design and operation of industrial facilities, structures and deposits of natural raw materials.

Hydrocarbons and heavy metals in Macuspana, Tabasco, Mexico: key stakeholders

The objective of the research was through key actors to identify the contamination by hydrocarbons and heavy metals in water and the main sources of contamination in the municipality of Macuspana, Tabasco. Methodology: A diagnosis was made, by applying questionnaires through interviews directed to the inhabitants of the municipality of Macuspana and workers in the oil sector. The data were processed with frequency analysis, Kruskal Wallis, analysis of variance, and multivariate with two factors. Results: It was shown that there has been historical contamination, for 30 years, there is evidence of dead organisms in the water bodies, and the presence of various diseases in the population due to exposure to contaminants from hydrocarbons and heavy metals that derive from the oil activity. There is evidence of a negative impact due to the presence of spills from disabled wells due to a lack of maintenance programs. Implications: The economy in most of the Gulf of Mexico is based on the extraction, processing, and distribution of hydrocarbons. This industry´s growth increased the number of exploration and production of oil wells, generating a direct impact on aquatic environments. The state of Tabasco is one of the largest oil producers, as well as fishing resources of commercial and environmental importance, which are directly affected by oil activity. Findings: The study found cases of diseases in the population correlated with exposure to hydrocarbons. Conclusions: There is little interest from the oil sector about public health problems in the population and environmental damage to the ecosystems in the municipality of Macuspana, Tabasco.