Diversity, Ecology, and Environmental Significance of Foraminifera in Al Hamama and Susah Coastal Regions, Northeastern Libya: Insights from Holocene Sediments

This research initiative, conducted along the coastal zones of Al Hamama and Susah in northeastern Libya, aimed to enhance our understanding of Holocene benthic foraminifera assemblages and the paleoenvironmental parameters in the region. We meticulously gathered five sediment samples to analyze the composition of foraminifera populations within the unconsolidated sedimentary deposits adjacent to these locations. We successfully identified nine distinct benthic foraminifera species, including Amphistegina lobifera, Eliphidium crispum, Sigmoilinita tenuis, Sorites orbiculus, Stomatorbina concentrica, Peneroplis planatus, Pseudotriloculina rotunda, Pyrgoella sphaera, and Triloculina schreberiana. Notably, Eliphidium crispum and Amphistegina lobifera emerged as the most prevalent species. These foraminifera species exhibited distinct ecological preferences, shedding light on paleoenvironmental conditions and climatic fluctuations during the Quaternary Period in the Susah and Al Hamama coastal regions. The presence of Orbulina universa, a planktonic foraminifera species, further enriched our understanding of the paleoenvironment by providing insights into specific water depths and temperature ranges. This research significantly contributes to paleoceanography and environmental reconstruction, highlighting the invaluable use of foraminifera as proxies for exploring past environmental changes. Additionally, the study investigated the impacts of anthropogenic influences on benthic ecosystems in the Al Hamama and Susah coastal areas. These influences included reworked foraminifera specimens and the effects of karst formations, acid rain, and eutrophication. Notably, human-induced factors have visibly affected biogenic fauna and ecosystem dynamics in the study area. Consequently, this research provides valuable insights into paleoenvironmental conditions and ecological dynamics within the Susah and Al Hamama coastal regions, emphasizing the crucial role of foraminifera in reconstructing historical environmental fluctuations.

Analysis on the Hydrochemical Characteristics of Groundwater and the Formation Reason in Wadi Bay Area of Libya

[Objective] The research aimed to analyze the formation reason of groundwater hydrochemical characteristics in the dry valley area of Wadi Bay of Libya and provide the scientific basis for the reasonable development utilization and the environmental protection of groundwater.[Method] Took Wadi Bay area（dry valley）of Libya as the example,Piper trilinear graphic representation method,the descriptive statistics,the ion ratio coefficient method and the isotope evidence were used to systematically study the special hydrochemical characteristics of shallow groundwater in the arid climate condition in Wadi Bay area of Libya.[Result] The salt content of groundwater in the area was very high,and TDS was during 3.2-8.4 g/L.The main groundwater type was Cl·SO4-Na·Ca,then was Cl·SO4-Na·Ca·Mg.The concentrations of Cl-,Na＋ and SO2-4,etc.in the groundwater in 70 km from the sea had the remarkable variation,but the concentrations of Mn2＋,Ba2＋,Si2＋,NH＋4 and NO-3 didn＇t have the same variation phenomenon.[Conclusion] The hydrochemical characteristics of shallow groundwater didn＇t relate to the dissolution infiltration reaction,the evaporation concentration effect and human activities.The major cause was the mixing effect of salt and fresh water in the invasion process of seawater.

Feeding Habits of the Red Porgy Pagrus Pagrus （Linnaeus, 1758） from Benghazi Coasts, Libya

The feeding habits of 500 specimens of Pagrus pagrus （family： Sparidae）, inhabiting Benghazi Mediterranean Coast, were studied monthly from January to December 2008. The annual diet composition, monthly variations in the diet composition, the variations of diet with length and the intensity of feeding were studied. Pagruspagrus feed on a wide variety of prey types： crustaceans （38.3%）, molluscs （13.2 %）, echinoderms （11.4%）, polychaetes （10.7%）, digestive food （10.3%）, fish parts （7.1%）, seagrasses （6.4%） and sediments （2.7%）. The crustacean was the major food item all year round and it was found in all length groups. In the present study crustaceans, polycheates, seagrasses and sediments decreased as the size increased while molluscs, echinoderms, digestive food and fish parts increased as the fish size increased. The feeding intensity was quite high during the summer and early autumn.

Symbiotic and Phenotypic Characteristics of Rhizobia Nodulaing Cowpea （Vigna Unguiculata L. Walp） Grown in Arid Region of Libya （Fezzan）

Symbiotic and phenotypic characteristics of thirty rhiobial isolates obtained from root nodules of two cowpea （Vigna unguiculata L. Walp） cultivars that grown in different sites of Fezzan （Southern part of Libya） were studied. Cultural characteristics and cross-nodulation with Arachis hypogega and Faidherbia albida showed that they were slow-growing rhizobia. Each isolate was found to coexist with non-symbiotic bacteria similar in their cultural characteristics to fast-growing rhizobia. All isolates formed symbiosis with the test plants, but different in their nitrogen-fixation efficiency. Numerical analysis of phenotypic characteristics showed that at boundary level of 70% average similarity, the isolates formed four distinguished groups and two isolates remained separate. Most isolates exhibited wide tolerance to acidity, alkalinity and extreme temperatures. They also resistant to some heavy metals such as mercury, copper, zinc, lead, cadmium and aluminum at low concentrations and antibiotics like polymyxin, colistin, bacitracin and nalidixic acid. Isolates displayed different response to salinity ranging from sensitive, which unable to grow in 1% NaCI to resistant and grow at 2% NaCl or above. Urea was hydrolyzed by most of them and carbohydrates utilizations were different. Sucrose and maltose were metabolized by most of the test isolates, whereas, monosaccharide and sugar alcohols were poorly utilized.

Emissions of SO2, NOx and PMs from Cement Plant in Vicinity of Khoms City in Northwestern Libya

Estimated emissions of gases and particulate matter from two Portland cement plants near Khoms city in northwestern Libya by computer simulation reveal that the SO2, NOx and dust emissions exceed selected international standard limits. The results highlight the need for improved operational procedures to minimize emissions and avoid any possible adverse environmental effects.

Modelling the prevalence of hepatitis C virus amongst blood donors in Libya:An investigation of providing a preventive strategy

AIM: To determine hepatitis C virus(HCV) seroprevalence among the Libyan population using blood donors and applying the autoregressive integrated moving average(ARIMA) model to predict future trends and formulate plans to minimize the burden of HCV infection.METHODS: HCV positive cases were collected from 1008214 healthy blood donors over a 6-year period from 2008 to 2013. Data were used to construct the ARIMA model to forecast HCV seroprevalence among blood donors. The validity of the model was assessed using the mean absolute percentage error between the observed and fitted seroprevalence. The fitted ARIMA model was used to forecast the incidence of HCV beyond the observed period for the year 2014 and further to 2055.RESULTS: The overall prevalence of HCV among blood donors was 1.8%, varying over the study period from 1.7% to 2.5%, though no significant variation was found within each calendar year. The ARIMA model showed a non-significant auto-correlation of the residuals, and the prevalence was steady within the last 3 years as expressed by the goodness-of-fit test. The forecast incidence showed an increase in HCV seropositivity in 2014, ranging from 500 to 700 per 10000 population, with an overall prevalence of 2.3%-2.7%. This may be extended to 2055 with minimal periodical variation within each 6-year period.CONCLUSION: The applied model was found to be valuable in evaluating the seroprevalence of HCV among blood donors, and highlighted the growing burden of such infection on the Libyan health care system. The model may help in formulating national policies to prevent increases in HCV infection and plan future strategies that target the consequences of the infection.

Geochemistry and Petrology of Basic Volcanic Rocks of Jabal Al Haruj Al-Aswad, Libya

The Al Haruj Intra-continental Volcanic Province is the largest part of the extensive volcanic activity in Libya which is considered to be a typical within plate basalts. The volcano-tectonics evolution of this province, as well as its origin, are still widely disputed. According to K-Ar dating previously studied, the volcanic activity started in the Late Miocene and lasted until at least the Late Pleistocene. The field may still be volcanically active. The mafic rocks of Jabal Al Haruj have been classified into six major phases or groups. These phases have been differentiated using Landsat images together with aerial photographs of different scales as well as field observations. The topographic forms of the earliest phase are highly eroded while the forms of the latest phase are usually fresh and very well preserved as regards primary features. Mafic lavas of this field consist of alkali basalts to olivine tholeiites (transitional basalt) which contain olivine as essential constituent together with clinopyroxene, plagioclase and glass. The basalt exhibits intergranular, intersertal, ophitic and subophitic relations. Amygdaloidal and glomerporphyritic textures are also observed. The basaltic rocks of different ages and from different localities are petrographically rather similar. Phenocrysts of olivine probably the result from slow cooling in crustal magma chambers prior to eruptions, suggesting that magmas ascended slowly through the crust. 109 samples have been carefully collected from various phases, some of these samples have been chosen for major and trace elements analyses, using XRF in order to determine the characteristics of the?mantle source and investigate crustal interaction. The major and trace elements revealed a?slightly significant chemical diversity among the phases and within each phase. The normative classification of most of these rocks shows close agreement with their modal classification. A vague correlation between MgO and most major oxides in the studied samples suggests different degrees of partial melting rather than fractional crystallization. A characteristic feature of the studied volcanic rocks is the relatively constant ratios of certain incompatible trace elements (Nb/Zr, Rb/Zr), which provides strong evidence of a common source. In addition, the rocks display similar patterns of the peaks and troughs;this strongly suggests that they have a common parent and common subsequent processes. The compatible transitional metals Ni (81 - 193 ppm) and Cr contents (238 - 361 ppm) and relatively low Mg# (Mg/(Mg + Fet)) (52 - 62) give an indication that the studied basaltic rocks have slightly to moderately fractionated olivine and/or spinel. The magmatism of this volcanic field seems to be related to reactivation of pre-existing structures during the passive rifting of the Sirt Basin that most likely produced in response to convergence between European and African plates since Jurassic until Holocene times.

Physiological Characteristics of Rhizobia Isolated from Retama raetam （Forsk） and Lupinus various （L.） Indigenous to Libyan Desert

A total of 20 rhizobial isolates obtained from root-nodules of Retama raetam （Forsk） and Lupinus various （L.） were studied for their ability to tolerate local environmental and chemical stresses. Six fast and one slow growing reference strains were included for comparison. Numerical analysis showed that the reference strains were separated from test isolates. The majority of isolates displayed a high tolerance to extreme temperatures; some even grew at 48 ℃ and grew at alkaline and acid pH. Regarding tolerance to salinity on agar medium, the majority of the isolates grew at 6% NaCl, but some isolates from Lupinus various were more resistant, grew even at 8% NaCl. Most isolates were resistant to heavy metals, but were sensitive to most antibiotics tested.

Exploiting epidemiological data to understand the epidemiology and factors that influence COVID-19 pandemic in Libya

There were only 75 confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)reported in Libya by the National Center for Disease Control during the first two months following the first confirmed case on 24 March 2020.However,there was dramatic increase in positive cases from June to now;as of 19 November 2020,approximately 357940 samples have been tested by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction,and the results have revealed a total number of 76808 confirmed cases,47587 recovered cases and 1068 deaths.The case fatality ratio was estimated to be 1.40%,and the mortality rate was estimated to be 15.90 in 100000 people.The epidemiological situation markedly changed from mid-July to the beginning of August,and the country proceeded to the cluster phase.COVID-19 has spread in almost all Libyan cities,and this reflects the high transmission rate of the virus at the regional level with the highest positivity rates,at an average of 14.54%.Apparently,there is an underestimation of the actual number of COVID-19 cases due to the low testing capacity.Consequently,the Libyan health authority needs to initiate a large-scale case-screening process and enforce testing capacities and contact testing within the time frame,which is not an easy task.Advisably,the Libyan health authority should improve the public health capacities and conduct strict hygienic measures among the societies and vaccinate as many people against COVID-19 to minimize both the case fatality ratio and socio-economic impacts of the pandemic in Libya.

Colorectal carcinoma in a Southern Mediterranean country: The Libyan scenario

AIM: To study the salient features of colorectal cancer(CRC) in Libya.METHODS: Patients records were gathered at the primary oncology clinic in eastern Libya for the period of one calendar year(2012). Using this data, various parameters were analyzed and age-standardized incidence rates were determined using the direct method and the standard population.RESULTS: During 2012, 174 patients were diagnosed with CRC, 51.7%(n = 90) male and 48.3%(n = 84) females. The average age was 58.7(± 13.4) years, with men around 57.3(± 13) years old and women usually 60.1(± 13.8) years of age. Libya has the highest rate of CRC in North Africa, with an incidence closer to the European figures. The age-standardized rate for CRC was 17.5 and 17.2/100000 for males and females respectively. It was the second most common cancer, forming 19% of malignancies, with fluctuation in ranking and incidence in different cities/villages. Increasingly, younger ages are being afflicted and a higher proportion of patients are among the > 40 years subset.Nearly two-thirds presented at either stage Ⅲ(22.4%) or Ⅳ(38.4%).CONCLUSION: Cancer surveillance systems should be established in order to effectively monitor the situation. Likewise, screening programs are invaluable in the Libyan scenario given the predominance of sporadic cases.

Cancers in Eastern Libya: First results from Benghazi Medical Center

AIM: To study the pattern of cancer incidence and determine the incidence rates in Eastern Libya (for the first time in a decade).

Wind Energy Assessment of the Zawiya Region, in Northwest Libya

The objective of this paper is to evaluate the annual, monthly and the seasonal performance of the wind resource at the Zawiya region in northwest of Libya. In this study, the wind data are obtained from the coastal site located in the northwest of Libya at height of 50 meters above the ground level. The results show that the annual average speed is 6.14 m/s, and the annual Weibull parameters are shape factor K = 3.2, scale factor C = 6.9 m/s, and the annual energy production of 750 kw wind turbine is 2.70 Gwh/year.

Organic Geochemical Evaluation of Cretaceous Potential Source Rocks, East Sirte Basin, Libya

Cutting samples (n = 93) from the Sirte, Tagrifet, Rakb, Rachmat, Bahi Formations of Upper Cretaceous and Nubian Formation (Lower Cretaceous) derived from eleven wells (6C1-59, 6J1-59, 6R1-59, KK1-65, OO2-65, M1-51, KK1-65, B-96, B-95, B-99, E1-NC-59) locate in the Amal, Gialo, Nafoora, and Sarir Fields present in East Sirte Basin were analysed in the aim of their organic geochemical evaluation. A bulk geochemical parameters and evaluation of specific biomarkers by chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) implemented to find out a diversity of interbedded non-marine lithofacies including sandstones, siltstones, shales and conglomerates. Such rocks are good source and contain fair to good contented of organic matter passing in the course of very good, in which the excellent source rocks have organic carbon richness (TOC) reached to 5.16 wt%. The studied samples are ranged from gas to oil-prone organic matter (OM) of hydrogen index (HI) ranged between 115 - 702 mg HC/g TOC, related with gas prone (OM) of (HI) 300, associated with oxygen index (OI): 3 - 309 mg CO2/g TOC indicate that organic matter is dominated by Type II/III kerogen. The maturity of these source rocks is variations ranges from mature to post-mature-oil window in the Sirte and Rachmat Formations, as inferred from the production index (PI: 0.07 - 1.55) and Tmax and Ro% data (Tmax: 425 - 440/Ro%: 0.46 - 1.38) and early to mid-stage maturities for the other formations. Low PI in some samples seems to imply that the most of the hydrocarbons have expelled and migrated from the rocks. Biomarker ratios of individual hydrocarbons in rock extracts (n = 21), were also used in order to investigate the samples’ thermal maturity and palaeo depositional conditions. Pristine/Phytane ratios of 0.65 - 1.25 and dibenzothiophene to phenanthrene (DBT/P) ratios of 0.04 - 0.47 indicated Anoxic and suboxic conditions of depositional source rock. The origin of OM of the studied samples attributed to a marine algal source as indicated from the dominated by the C27 and co-dominant C28 homologues sterane in molecular composition distributions. The marine shale and carbonate lithofacies of rock samples were also indicated by high C19TT/C23TT ratio and low relative abundance of C24TeT/C23TT, consistent with their interpreted marine affinity. An organic geochemical evaluation pointed out that the Sirte Shale formation (Campanian/Turonian) is the main source rock in this petroleum area.

Susceptibility of Newly Introduced Potato Cultivars to Libya to Infection with Bacterial Soft Rot and the Associated Physiological Changes

Tuber slices of newly introduced potato cultivars （cvs） in Libya, namely Spunta, Pamela, Daisy, Daifla, Atlas and Apollina were tested for their susceptibility to soft rot bacterium （Erwinia carotovora subsp, carotovora）. Atlas cv was proved to be the most susceptible cv, meanwhile, Daisy cv was the most resistant one. The activities of pectolytic and oxidative enzymes in diseased tubers were profoundly higher than these in healthy ones. The highest enzymatic activities of pectin methyl esterase （PME） and polygalacturonase （PG） were observed in diseased tubers of Daifla cv. However, diseased tubers of Spunta gave the highest activities of polymethyl galacturonase （PMG）. On the other hand, the highest significant activities of the enzyme PME in healthy tubers was detected in Pamela cv compared to other cvs. Moreover, there were insignificant differences in PG and PMG enzymes activities between healthy tubers of the different cvs. The cv Daisy gave the highest activity of the enzyme peroxidase （PO） in diseased tubers, whereas the highest activity of enzyme polyphenol oxidase （PPO） was detected in infected tubers of Atlas cv. Concerning healthy tubers, the highest activities of enzymes PO and PPO were noticed in Atlas and Pamella cvs respectively as compared to other cvs. Electrolyte leakage from plant cells was estimated by measuring electrical conductivity as indicator for permeability changes in potato tissues. Values of electrolyte leakage in infected tubers of all tested cvs showed significant increase compared with those of healthy ones, especially, with the most susceptible one.

Reasons for Dealing with a Particular Bank in the State of Libya

This section uses the results of a survey to find out how consumers evaluate banking services in the State of Libya.The survey contained a large number of variables,most of which are correlated.This paper tries to examine the relationships among the interrelated variables and represent them in terms of a few underlying factors.This is done through the use of the technique of Factor Analysis.This study represents an inquiry into consumers’evaluation of the banking system in Libya.A survey was conducted to collect information on a number of issues relating to the consumer’s views on various aspects of the structure and performance of commercial banks operating in the State of Libya.The survey results were subjected to multivariate statistical analysis.The technique of factor analysis was used to analyze the relationships among the interrelated variables affecting consumers’choice of a particular commercial bank.The principal component method,with varimax rotation,is utilized to reduce the large number of explanatory variables to a few underlying factors.

Radiological Effects of Soil and Rock Samples of Different Libyan Regions

The activity concentration of natural radioactivity for soil samples collected from western and mid Libyan regions were measured using HPGe detector. The average activity concentration of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K for ten regions was found to be 51.86 ± 7.14, 75.56 ± 10.95 and 128.98 ± 6.88 Bq/kg respectively. The results obtained for the corresponding nuclides 226Ra and 232Th are above the worldwide average values (35 and 30 Bq/kg) while 40K was smaller than worldwide average (400 Bq/kg). The average outdoor absorbed dose and the annual effective dose rates due to 226Ra, 232Th and 40K were observed to be 21.51 ± 2.93 nGy/h and 0.297 ±.03 mSv/y respectively, which are lower than world average values (60 nGy/h and 0.8 mSv/y). The radium equivalent activity and external hazard indices were found less than the world wide average values.

Using the Balanced Scorecard as a Strategic Management System in the Libyan Construction Industry

Libya is a developing country that has a growing construction industry, however, the management of construction projects frequently experiences challenges with time and cost restraints and this affects the overall performance of the project as well as the performance of the project managers. The main aim of this paper is to apply BSC in the Libyan construction industry and evaluate the factors that impact project manager performance and their ability to complete and deliver projects successfully in Libya. This study will ascertain the role of project managers, the challenges that project managers in Libya frequently encounter the cause of time and cost overruns within construction projects and the main factors for successful construction projects. This research adopted both quantitative and qualitative research methods. The findings are based upon 300 structured questionnaires distributed to general, project managers working on construction sectors in Libya （Tripoli）. Completed questionnaires received were 183. This is a response rate of 61%. A statistical analysis was used to confirm and address the issues of reliability and validity of the questionnaire survey as a measuring instrument. In addition structured interviews with qualified project managers were used to confirm that the data collected were truly reflective. Upon the data analysis from the questionnaire survey and structured interview the project manager is the most important factor affecting the success of the project in construction industries Libya, furthermore project manager skills are important components that influence the performance of project manager.

The Changing Landscape of Higher Education in Libya

The development of Higher Education has expanded greatly across the Arab world and this is certainly evident in Libya, where 24 new universities have been established in a four-year period. By 2025, there will be half a million university students, double the current numbers. To cope with this rapid expansion, a huge building programme has been implemented, resulting in modern, purpose-built structures dominating the sky line and bringing a new dimension to the traditional environment. Interviews with students, staff, and management from two universities show that, apart from the impact this expansion has had on the physical landscape, there have also been cultural and political changes. Libyan university staff have been sent on scholarships to English speaking countries to improve their language skills as all teaching is carried out through the medium of English. There has consequently been an acute shortage of teaching staff resulting in foreign workers being recruited from Asia and the Middle East. The curriculum has been modified and traditional Libyan society is resistant to new methodology. None of this has been helped by political changes and developments. Possible solutions for the future of quality Higher Education provision in Libya include continuing professional development programmes for staff, quality assurance, improvement of resources, training in modern technology and an approach to education to help break down the barriers between generations

Land Deterioration of a Semi-desert Grazing Area in the North-Eastern Zone of Libya （Cyrenaica）

The study focused on one of the important contemporary environmental problems, land deterioration, carried out on a semi-desert rangeland constrained by aridity, in an area stretching between two small cities （Solouk and A1-Abyar） south of the city of Benghazi in north eastern Libya. The vegetation analysis revealed that the plant life is mainly confined to wadis （valleys）. Average vegetation cover was ranging between 39.53% and 69.20%. Biomass was ranging between 28.33 gm/m2 and 129.42 gm/m2, （average soil depth was between 30 cm and 50 cm）, meanwhile 25% of the area is covered by hummocks. The total number of sampled soil seed bank was 25,870 seed/m2, in which the important forage family Fabaceae constituted 450 seed/m2. Life forms spectrum was： 55.2% Therophytes, 26.3% Chamaeopytes, 11.4% Cryptophytes and 7.1% Phanerophytes. Alpha diversity 1.3%-3.4%, and Beta diversity 11.9%-77.6%. The soil showed low organic matter content an lean to alkalinity. The study showed that the area is characterized by harsh climate elements which led to land degradation in the form of low productivity, retrogressive succession, soil erosion, and sandy encroachment from the south desert area. In the last decades the land degradation was accelerated by the accumulative anthropogenic.

Seismic Risk Perception in Al-Marj, Libya: A Case Study after the 1963 Earthquake

Individual beliefs, knowledge, and perception play a vital role in understanding and coping with the consequences of earthquakes. These perceptions then mold the broader perceptions of risk and danger held by communities, which ultimately create public policy. This survey study was designed and conducted to assess the perceptions of seismic hazard and risk of earthquake survivors and residents in Al-Marj, Libya—a city razed in a 1963 tremor. In 2019, 364 earthquake survivors and residents were surveyed for their knowledge and perception of earthquakes. Surveys were conducted in Arabic and included demographic and narrative questions in addition to Likert-scaled responses. A number of predictable, surprising, and valuable correlations were found. It was found that during earthquakes most respondents prayed to Allah, or did nothing, in comparison to escape, seeking shelter, or running for help. The majority believed their neighborhoods were unsafe while questions illiciting some aspect of quake recurrence caused a complete refusal to answer;they commented “I do not know” or “only God knows”. Most respondents did not consider preparation to be important, but younger respondents were relatively more prepared. Surprisingly, highly educated respondents were less prepared, however, they also attributed earthquakes to tectonic slipping and not divine retaliation or retribution. However, less-educated respondents stated “I do not know”, “Allah punishes”, or “Allah tests the believers”. Most participants considered themselves well-informed about earthquakes from popular media sources (internet, TV, magazines). These findings were vital in gaining an insight into hazard perception and high-risk behavior in a seismically active region like Libya. When natural hazard recurrence (i.e. earthquakes) are better understood, then the potential consequences of injury, damages, and deaths may be assessed, and an overall plan to produce sustainable disaster management strategies and decrease risk can be created and implemented.