Combination of 3D Fluorescence/PARAFAC and UV-Vis Absorption for the Characterization of Agricultural Soils from Morocco.

The present study, combining UV-Visible absorption and 3D fluorescence supported by PARAFAC chemometric analysis, focused on the characterization of soil water extractable organic matter (WEOM) in the zone of Doukkala located near the Atlantic coast of Morocco. The extracts, in water, of a set of 30 samples covering the four main types of agricultural soils in the region (commonly labeled Tirs, Faid, Hamri and R'mel) were investigated. [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] absorbance ratios [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] spectral slopes, along with their ratios[Formula: see text], as well as the fluorescence [Formula: see text] and humification [Formula: see text] indices were calculated and interpreted. In the four soil types, these parameters revealed, on the one hand, organic materials of terrigenous origin with some biological component, and showed, on the other hand, that these materials are in similar stages of humification with an important humic character. In all the soils investigated, 3D fluorescence crossed with PARAFAC chemometrics highlighted the absence of any protein component and revealed the prevalence of the fulvic acids fraction in the organic matter humic material.

Raman and ATR-FTIR analyses of medieval wall paintings from al-Qarawiyyin in Fez (Morocco).

A multi-analytical study has been undertaken to characterise wall paintings from the al-Qarawiyyin university in Fez, dating back to the 9th century and still in activity, with the aim of identifying the pigments used and going back to the painting techniques adopted by the Moroccan craftsmen of the time. The investigation crossed Raman and ATR-FTIR structural analyses along with XRF elemental ones, as well as colorimetric measurements. The colours and shades of six representative fragments collected during a recent excavation have been examined. Hence, red ochre (mainly hematite) was used to obtain brown-red colour, calcite for white, bistre for carbon-based black, while blue shades were achieved using azurite. Mixtures of pigments were created to widen the colour palette: cinnabar, minium and hematite were identified in orange hues while lapis lazuli and azurite were observed in grey-blue areas. The exploration of mortar layers revealed gypsum, gypsum/calcite and calcite type plasters. Furthermore, the observation of the morphological aspect of the interface between the plaster and the painting layer seems indicating that the lime-secco-painting skill had been the adopted painting technique.

Parchments and coloring materials in two IXth century manuscripts: On-site non-invasive multi-techniques investigation.

One among the most famous ancient parchments in the Islamic world, dating back to the IXth century, along with another contemporary one have been investigated by means of a completely non-invasive multi-techniques analysis combining all of elemental XRF and structural/molecular Raman, ATR-FTIR and FOR spectroscopies besides pHs and colorimetric measurements. The materials initially used in the preparation of the writing supports were identified; in addition to calcite at different extents, the parchments seem to be condensed tannins-pretreated. Furthermore, the exploration of amide I and II vibrational bands and sub-bands illustrated collagen gelatinization and molecular helix disorders phenomena. Parchments and inks degradation products, gypsum and calcium oxalates, have been also identified. In both manuscripts the writing black inks have been characterized as iron gall type. The corrosive effect of these black inks appears deeply damaging the acidic parchment supports. In this case, the high frequency side of the infrared spectrum disappears completely, illustrating thus irreversible parchment degradations. Gum Arabic, when added sufficiently in the black ink recipe, seems preventing the corrosive damaging effect induced by Fe2+ ions spreading from the black ink into the parchment body. Besides, all coloring materials have been identified; gold in gilded scriptures and natural pigments for vocalizations and basic decorations: cinnabar for reds, lapis-lazuli for blue and orpiment/realgar/pararealgar arsenic sulfides for yellow/orange shades. The anthraquinone-based kermesic acid extracted from Kermes female insects had been used for dark pink decorations, while the copper-based pigment verdigris had been synthetized to achieve green motifs. These results enrich the knowledge of ancient writing supports and materials, and highlight technologies and practices developed by middle-ages craftsmen.

Air pollution impact on architectural heritage of Morocco: Combination of synchronous fluorescence and ATR-FTIR spectroscopies for the analyses of black crusts deposits.

The work is focusing on air pollution impacts on historical limestone buildings located in urban areas in Morocco. Black crusts sampled on the façades of two ancient limestone monuments, dating back to the 12th and 20th centuries edified in the cities of Salé and Casablanca, have been analyzed by means of ATR-FTIR and synchronous fluorescence spectroscopies. Infrared analyses revealed degradation products, mainly gypsum due to calcite sulphation under wetness and SO2 rich oil fired soot, and oxalates due to ancient biological weathering. Synchronous fluorescence permitted the identification of the most hazardous PAHs along with other non-identified fluorescent organics; this technique appeared efficient and suitable for the analysis of fluorescent pollutants entrapped in black crusts. Such results keeping track of air pollution causing disfigurement of architectural heritage must alarm both cultural heritage and environmental decision makers.

Macrobenthic fauna from an upwelling coastal area of Peru (Warm Temperate South-eastern Pacific province -Humboldtian ecoregion).

BACKGROUND: A total of 162 species and subspecies of marine macroinvertebrates were recorded in the submerged soft and hard substrates around the PERU LNG marine terminal and surrounding area, in the central coast of Peru, 167 km south of Lima, Peru. The collection of specimens was carried out from June 2011 to June 2015 as part of the research studies conducted by the Biodiversity Monitoring and Assessment Program (BMAP) around the marine terminal. The area is part of the Humboldt Current Large Marine Ecosystem, one of the most important upwelling systems in the world. NEW INFORMATION: We identified specimens belonging to 83 families and seven phyla. The list was assembled from the taxonomic identifications made by the BMAP. We identified species and subspecies belonging to phyla Annelida, Arthropoda, Brachiopoda, Cnidaria, Echinodermata, Bryozoa and Mollusca. Phyla Annelida (60 spp.), Arthropoda (47 spp.)and Mollusca (45 spp.) exhibited the largest number of species.

Total Fluorescence Fingerprinting of Pesticides: A Reliable Approach for Continuous Monitoring of Soils and Waters.

The present work relates to the creation/extension of a database of Total Excitation-Emission and Total Synchronous Fluorescence Matrices (TEEMs and TSFMs) along with optimal Synchronous Fluorescence Spectra (SFS) to fingerprint pesticides widely used in Morocco. This spectrometric multi-component fingerprinting may permit the direct detection of pesticides persisting in soil or water. The objective of the current investigation is to detect four pesticide remains in agricultural soils by applying the spectrometric fingerprinting results. They are the commercial: i) insecticide Axlera 5G (carbamate), ii) fungicide Orsalis 5% SC (triazole), iii) insecticide Force 0,5 G (pyrethrinoid) and iv) insecticide Proclaim 05 SG (non-assigned). The agricultural plantations monitored are located in the great agricultural Doukkala region at the western Atlantic side of Morocco, where these chemicals are in large sale and use.