Sedimentary phosphate extraction in open-pit operations generates large volumes of waste rock (WR), which are mainly overburdens and interburdens. Traditionally, the WR is mixed and stored on the surface in waste rock piles (WRPs). This paper presents a case study of the Benguerir mine site in Morocco. It investigates the potential valorization of each WR lithology based on the geological and geomechanical properties to reduce their environmental footprint and create added value to “waste.” The WR samples (soils and rocks) were collected from drill cores and mining trenches in the Benguerir mine. The geological characterization results using petrographic descriptions indicate the presence of nine phosphate layers and, in addition to the overburdens, eight interburdens. Four types of WR are identified: carbonate, siliceous, marly clay, and phosphate. The geomechanical characterization of soil-like samples showed an average plasticity index (PI) of 50% according to the methylene blue value (MBV) of 7.1, classifying them in the A3–A4 categories as plastic and clayey marl soils. The hard rock samples have excellent mechanical properties in terms of their uniaxial compressive strength (UCS), Los Angeles abrasion value (LA), and micro-Deval value (MD). The average compressive strength is 104 MPa for the flint, 35 MPa for the phosphate flint, 32 MPa for the silexite, 26 MPa for the limestone, 11 MPa for the indurated phosphate, and 8 MPa for the marly limestone. Based on the obtained results, these WRs can be considered as an excellent alternative secondary raw material for use in civil engineering applications, ceramics, and cement industries.

This work investigates the influence of heat source on the chemically reactive flow of Boger tetra hybrid nanofluid over a Riga plate using Marangoni convection and a Darcy-Forchheimer porous medium. The diffusion of tetra nanoparticles ([Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]) in sodium alginate produces the tetra hybrid nanofluid. The Marangoni convection effect has been observed to include flow, mass and heat transmission. In nuclear reactors and electronic devices, where accurate temperature control is critical, this sophisticated fluid dynamics framework holds a vital role in improving the effectiveness of cooling systems. The model guarantees higher reaction rates and product yields by aiding in the development of cutting-edge coating technologies and chemical reactor optimization. The modelled boundary layer conservation equations are transformed into non-linear coupled ODEs using an appropriate transformation. Once the model equation system has been condensed using the proper similarity variables, it is numerically resolved using the shooting method and the traditional bvp4c solver. The findings show that with greater solvent fraction parameter values, the use of Boger fluid improves the tetra hybrid nanofluid's velocity profile and reduces its thermal field.

In numerous regions across Morocco, groundwater quality has undergone a significant decline in recent years, primarily due to factors such as agricultural expansion, improper solid waste disposal, and industrialization. This study presents an analysis of the vulnerability of two primary shallow aquifers, namely the Turonian and Eocene. The vulnerability assessment entails the evaluation of the aquifers' susceptibility to various forms of surface pollution, based on the physical characteristics of their surroundings. Within the Moroccan context, the DRASTIC method, integrated with Geographic Information Systems (GIS), emerges as the most suitable approach. This method involves the processing and analysis of seven factors pertaining to the three soil compartments, encompassing land cover, the unsaturated zone, and the saturated zone. Each chosen parameter is assigned a weight, reflecting its significance concerning groundwater protection. Notably, the water table's depth and the nature of the vadose zone exert the most substantial influence, followed by factors like recharge. Conversely, topography exhibits minimal impact, with soil type following suit. Lastly, the nature of the aquifer medium and its conductivity carry a moderate degree of influence. Each parameter is further categorized into classes, each defined by a specific rating. To derive an all-encompassing measure of vulnerability, the weights and scores of these various factors are synthesized through an additive model, yielding the comprehensive "DRASTIC Index." Subsequently, this index is employed to assess the intrinsic vulnerability level of the Turonian and Eocene aquifers by superimposing the seven index maps.