The present study represents a first insight into the Draa Lasfar mine (Marrakech - Morocco) to assess the degree of polymetallic pollution caused by anthropogenic activities (like mine extraction) and consequently the possible diffusion of heavy metals and to predict the risk of their mobility in the surroundings of the mine area. The edaphologic parameters pH and electrical conductivity (EC) were measured according to standard methods, whilst heavy metals concentration was atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Contamination factors (CF) and pollution index (IP) were calculated in order to estimate the anthropogenic contribution of target pollutants determining Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn as the main pollutants in this region. The results showed that the polluted areas at the vicinity of the mine especially two rural communities (Ouled Bou Aicha and Tazakourte) of about 5790 ha are probably linked to increasing mine activities and the lack of appropriate measures to counteract its effects causing a progressive pollution of water and soil with heavy metal emissions in the region under study.

Background and Objectives: Streptococcus pneumonia (S. pneumoniae) is one of the most frequent pathogens leading to a variety of clinical manifestations. The effects of S. pneumoniae carriage on acute otitis media (AOM) are poorly studied. The study aimed to assess the serotype’, s distribution and antimicrobial susceptibility in children with AOM after the implemen-tation of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) in Morocco. Materials and Methods: We conducted a prospective study of AOM children aged 6 to 36 months who visited pediatric centers in Marrakesh between January to June 2018. Parents were asked to complete a questionnaire and a swab was col-lected from each child. The S. pneumoniae strains were further identified (Hemolysis, optochin sensitivity, and agglutination test), serogrouped (IMMULEX PNEUMOTEST agglutination test), serotyped (Real time PCR) and tested for antimicrobial susceptibility. Results: The S. pneumoniae carriage rate was 49. 7% (87/175). As estimated, non-vaccine serotypes (NVT) were most prev-alent (51/63,81%). The most frequent serotypes were 6C/6D (12. 7%), 10 (9. 5%), and 19B/19C (9. 5%). The S. pneumoniae strains that were isolated showed a diminished susceptibility to penicillin G with a rate of 27. 5%. Penicillin non-susceptible pneumococci (PNSP) was mostly associated with NVT. More than 90% of S. pneumoniae isolates were susceptible to chlor-amphenicol (97. 5%), clindamycin (97. 5%), erythromycin (97. 5%), levofloxacin (97. 5%), pristinamycin (97. 5%), gentamicin (92. 5%), and teicoplanin (92. 5%). Conclusion: Important nasopharyngeal carriage prevalence was reported among children with AOM. The study showed that new NVT are emerging, including 6C/6D and 10. Furthermore, susceptibility was significantly higher against all antibiotics tested except for penicillin G and amoxicillin.

This study was carried out for the purpose of investigating the issue of tailings dams as a potential source of contamination by trace elements in soils at the Sidi Bou Othmane mine in the Marrakech Region, Morocco. Soil samples taken from depths of up to 15 cm and within a radius of 50 m from the tailings dams, were analyzed for Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn using atomic absorption spectrometry. Average concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn in soils around the abandoned tailings dams were, respectively, 157.2±8.8, 969.1±38.7, 1640.7±42.7 and 2846.8±84.6 mg/kg. Soils in the vicinity of the decommissioned tailings dams registered increased values for Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn. Contamination factors (CF) and pollution index (PI) were calculated in order to estimate the anthropogenic contribution of target pollutants which determined Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn as the main pollutants in this region. The results revealed the polluted areas in the vicinity of the mine, especially two rural communities apparently linked to the lack of appropriate measures to counteract the effects of these mine tailings, which were causing a progressive contamination of the soil with residues of heavy metal emissions in this region under study. Improved strategies for the management of tailings, among other factors, might have influenced the reduced level of contamination by trace elements at the abandoned mine tailings dam sites.

The contamination of soils, dust, and plants by heavy metals poses a significant global concern due to its inherent risks. In the Drâa Lasfar region of Marrakech, Morocco, toxic heavy metals such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and copper (Cu) have been found to exceed the maximum allowable concentrations set by FAO/WHO. Soil samples from the region show significant contamination levels, with Pb (172.6 µg/g), Cu (142.1 µg/g), and Cd (9.1 µg/g) concentrations surpassing threshold limits. Furthermore, the contamination assessment, as indicated by the contamination factor (CF) and pollution index (PI) values, confirms the significant pollution of the studied soils. Dust samples collected from both indoor and outdoor environments exhibit considerably higher concentrations of Pb, Cd, and Cu compared to background levels, underscoring the outdoor dust as a significant source of metal contamination. Additionally, the concentration of Pb in plants exceeds FAO/WHO maximum permissible levels, with roots showing higher accumulation rates compared to other plant parts. The ecological and human health risks associated with heavy metal contamination are evident from the calculated ecological risk index (ERI) and health risk index (HRI) values, which indicate severe health risks posed by Pb contamination in the studied area. The findings emphasize the urgent need for mitigation measures to address the health risks posed to the local population, particularly children, by the contamination of plants grown in proximity to mining activities.

Background: Obesity is becoming a real challenge for public health among pregnant women. This study aimed to identify sociodemographic and lifestyle risk factors and outcomes linked to maternal obesity and overweight. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out from Nov 2021 to Dec 2022 in the maternity health facility of Mohammed VI Hospital, as well as in one of the main health centers with a delivery unit in Marrakech, Morocco. Parturients were divided into four categories according to their pre pregnancy BMI: underweight, normal weight, overweight and obese. We used the chi-square test (χ²) to analyze the sociodemographic and lifestyle factors associated with maternal obesity and overweight. The same tool was utilized to explore maternal and neonatal complications. Results: Overall, 400 parturient women with singleton pregnancies were included in the study. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 29.8% and 31.5% respectively. Maternal age, type of housing, practicing sports, feelings about pregnancy were correlated with an increased risk of maternal obesity and being overweight. The risks of gestational diabetes, hypertension, anemia, cesarean delivery, and fetal macrosomia were higher among overweight and obese women compared to normal weight ones. The differences were significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: Maternal overweight and obesity are strongly linked with socio-economic, lifestyle, and psychological factors which can lead to serious complications for both mother and baby. Further research is needed to develop appropriate preventive measures and interventions for maternal obesity and overweight.

The pollution generated by metallic trace elements discharged by mines into the environment can become a very worrying source of contamination for soil, water and plants. The characterization of the chemical properties of metals in mine tailings and soils is of crucial importance to assess the risk of their potential mobility and therefore their bioavailability. In this paper, the bioavailability of metallic trace elements  in agricultural soils in the vicinity of the Draa Lasfar mine in the northwest of Marrakech city (Morocco) was studied by determining the contents of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn in soils and in two plants: wheat (main food for the human population) and couch grass (main food for livestock). The results showed that these metals move from agricultural land to plants. They also showed that couch grass seems to strongly absorb and accumulate metallic trace elements present in the soil; it removes considerable amounts of metallic trace elements from the soil with its deeply penetrating root system.

The release of heavy metals from functional mines can result in significant environmental pollution, posing a threat to both soil and water quality. Therefore, it is crucial to characterize the chemical and physical properties of mine tailings to assess the potential risk of toxic heavy metal mobility in the environment. In this study, the chemical forms of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn in the tailings of Draa Sfar mine in Marrakech (Morocco) were investigated using standard sequential extraction and Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometric techniques. Results indicate that mining residues exhibit a highly acidic pH (2.9), low carbonate content (0.5%), and high electrical conductivity (7.2 mS/cm) due to significant soluble salts, particularly sulfates (3.7%). Assessing metal speciation indicated Cd's high availability in short-term mobile fractions (42%), while Cu primarily associated with soluble and exchangeable fractions (32%). Pb showed strong association with long-term mobile fractions (61%), and Zn displayed an equal distribution among mobile and lithogenic fractions. Acid-base accounting test results reveal a lower Neutralization Potential (196.4t CaCO3/kt) compared to Acid Potential (306.3t CaCO3/kt), indicating a negative Net Neutralization Potential and suggesting potential acid mine drainage. This result demonstrates that DraaSfar mining residues possess a lower acid-consuming capacity, primarily driven by their carbonate content, compared to their acid-generating capacity. This finding indicates that these mining residues have the potential to become sources of acid mine drainage, and underscore the importance of implementing sustainable mining practices and mitigation strategies to reduce environmental impact.

To address water scarcity in the Marrakech region of Morocco, the agricultural reuse of wastewater emerges as a promising solution. Slow sand filtration has gained prominence in wastewater treatment, presenting an effective approach. This study explores the potential of slow sand filtration in removing Pb from contaminated water, specifically from the Tensift River, which receives wastewater directly from the industrial unit of Zn and Pb extraction at the Draa Lasfar mine situated 13 km northwest of Marrakech City. Physicochemical analysis revealed Pb concentrations of 133 ± 16 µg/L upstream and 317 ± 27 µg/L downstream of the mine discharge point. This study incorporates a continuous fixed-bed adsorption study, utilizing sand as an adsorbent for Pb. The impact of three water velocites (0.5, 1, and 2.5 cm/min) on the removal process is investigated, revealing that breakthrough curves are influenced by water velocity. Results showed that the lowest velocity (0.5 cm/min) achieved the best Pb removal, with delayed breakthrough and improved adsorption efficiency. The saturation of the adsorption sites was reached more rapidly at higher velocities (2.5 cm/min). This phenomenon is attributed to slower transport at low velocities, allowing sufficient time for Pb to bond with sand sites. A logistic model was applied to describe the adsorption kinetics, demonstrating good agreement between predicted and experimental breakthrough curves. This model incorporated water velocity (Vi), Pb concentration [Pb](t), and a system-specific constant K, offering a predictive tool for optimizing filtration performance in real conditions.

Dear Editor-in-Chief: Currently, population aging presents a new challenge for all the countries in the worldwide. It is a natural and inevitable process, always associated with physiological and biological decline (1). Longer life is related to chronic conditions and disabilities in advanced ages, which affected the quality of life and pose a challenge to families and communities (1). Elderly women are more likely to suffer from lower socio-economic and chronic morbidities that make them more dependent on their daily lives. Our survey was conducted to distinguish the gender differences and the associated factors in elderly in the Marrakech City, Morocco...